Haliey Welch, better known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” skyrocketed to fame earlier this year, becoming one of the most talked-about internet personalities.
Her journey from a factory worker in Tennessee to an online sensation highlights the unpredictable nature of viral fame.
In June 2024, Welch captured the internet’s attention after a candid street interview in Nashville went viral.
Her distinctive Southern accent and bold response to a provocative question resonated with viewers, propelling her to overnight stardom.
Since her rise, Welch has embraced her fame by launching merchandise, hosting public events, and even debuting a podcast.
Her podcast, “Talk Tuah,” produced under Jake Paul’s Betr media company, soared to number five on Spotify’s charts in September.
Expanding her influence further, Welch launched “Pookie Tools,” an AI-powered dating advice app, in November.
However, Welch’s move into cryptocurrency has sparked significant backlash, threatening her burgeoning career.
On December 4, Welch introduced $HAWK, a memecoin launched on the Solana blockchain, promising fans a chance to invest in her brand.
Initially, the coin soared, reaching a staggering market capitalization of nearly $500 million within minutes.
But just 20 minutes after its launch, $HAWK experienced a catastrophic crash, plummeting over 90% to settle below $60 million.
This sudden collapse triggered outrage among investors, many of whom were Welch’s loyal fans.
One distraught fan shared online, “I am a huge fan of Hawk Tuah but you took my life savings. I purchased your coin $HAWK that you were so excited about with my life savings and children’s college education fund as well.”
In the immediate aftermath, Welch addressed the backlash with a post on Twitter defending the launch of the coin.
She wrote, “Team hasn’t sold one token and not 1 KOL was given 1 free token. We tried to stop snipers as best we could through high fee’s in the start of launch on @MeteoraAG. Fee’s have now been dropped.”
Despite her statement, Welch remained silent for two weeks as criticism intensified and investors sought legal recourse.
During this period, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the entities behind $HAWK.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by Burwick Law, alleges the memecoin was unlawfully promoted and sold without proper registration.
Named in the suit are Tuah The Moon Foundation, which managed $HAWK’s finances; OverHere Ltd, the developer; and its executive, Clinton So.
The coin’s promoter, Alex Larson Schultz, is also included in the lawsuit, which does not directly name Welch as a defendant.
On December 20, Welch finally broke her silence, addressing the controversy with a public statement on Twitter.
“I take this situation extremely seriously and want to address my fans, the investors who have been affected, and the broader community,” she began.
Welch assured followers, “I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted.
I will work to help uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and resolve this matter.”
She also urged affected investors to contact Burwick Law for assistance, providing a link to their website.
Welch’s reputation has suffered due to the fallout from $HAWK, which should serve as a warning to influencers considering cryptocurrency.
As legal proceedings continue, Welch’s future in the public eye remains uncertain, leaving fans and investors awaiting answers.
Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/ @hay_welch)
