When a video of her coining “hawk tuah” to describe what intimate act turns men on in her experience went viral, Hailey Welch thought about keeping herself hidden from the masses.
The 21-year-old had just quit social media and was working at a bed-spring factory in her hometown, Tennessee, when she learned she had achieved a level of online publicity that provided a relatively pleasant distraction.
It was then rumored that the woman in the video was actually the daughter of a religious leader who had allegedly been “humiliated”. The attention had caused the woman to be fired from her job in education, according to another rumor. And social media users started creating fake accounts with her photos.
The viral rant
Welch changed her mind about keeping a low profile and came forward for the first time Monday on the Plan Bri Uncut podcast, denying everything that had been said about her before as lies — and detailing how the video clip has turned her life around, from cameos alongside celebrities to offers from strangers to buy a sample of her saliva.
The company reportedly sold more than $65,000 worth of merchandise almost immediately — though owner Jason Poteete said Tuesday that Fathead Threads was so busy trying to keep up with demand for its products that it didn’t have time to calculate an accurate tally of sales.
The 21-year-old had just quit social media and was working at a bed-spring factory in her hometown, Tennessee, when she learned she had achieved a level of online publicity that provided a relatively pleasant distraction for a country struggling with extreme weather fueled by climate crisis, as well as another controversial presidential election cycle.
It stemmed from a June 11 Instagram video posted by YouTubers Tim & Dee TV that showed a street interview in Nashville, Tennessee with two unnamed women.
As noted by KnowYourMeme.com, Welch was asked, “What’s one move in bed that drives a guy crazy every time?”
She responded with a giggle, an obvious allusion to oral sex, saying: “You gotta do that hawk tuah and spit on that thing – you got me.”
“No, don’t do it”
In no time, the clip resonated across the digital world, far beyond the pun-based memes that are the lifeblood of social media.
Eventually, amid an obsession by some to find out who the girl in the infamous video was, clues began to leak out about Welch’s identity. And by the end of June, he had a deal with the company Fathead Threads for hats emblazoned with the “wet” phrase he reproduced.
The company reportedly sold more than $65,000 worth of merchandise almost immediately — though owner Jason Poteete said Tuesday that Fathead Threads was so busy trying to keep up with demand for its products that it didn’t have time to calculate an accurate tally of sales. , which he shares with Welch.
On Monday, Welch said “the guy (who) makes my hats” received an offer of $600 to spit in a jar and send it to the person concerned.
“This is just disgusting, isn’t it,” Welch told Plan Bri Uncut, likening the offer to those interested in buying the used underwear of social media influencers they find attractive. “And I thought, ‘Should I?’ Then I said, “No, don’t.”
*With information from Guardian
