[Guide] What is the Hawk Tuah Phenomenon and How Did It Go Viral?

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Introduction to the Hawk Tuah Phenomenon

"Hawk Tuah" was a phrase made famous by a young woman named Hailey Welch, also known as Hawk Tuah Girl. Going viral for her spirited interpretation of the phrase and its risqué application, she captured the attention of the digital nation, catapulted into a media storm, and gained representation with a professional management company.

The Origins of Hawk Tuah

The Hawk Tuah phenomenon began on TikTok when Hailey, a 21-year-old Tennessee native, was asked the question during a TikTok interview with Tim and Dee TV, “What is one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?”. Her response: “You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang! You get me?”. Indeed, her distinct Southern twang, comedic timing, and full commitment to the bit made this one-liner stand out in the almost 14-minute long video, bringing it to the center of a standalone TikTok clip that at the time of publishing has received hundreds of thousands likes, millions of views, and thousands of comments, bookmarks, remixes, and re-edits; and thus, Hawk Tuah Girl was born.

What Made Her a Big Deal?

Hawk Tuah Girl's fame can be attributed to the whims of the internet, a flurry of misinformation, and impeccable timing. Immediately after Hawk Tuah went viral, parody claims about Welch's viral moment began to circulate, one of which was a claim that she worked at Epstein Day School and lost her job due to the video. Even though these claims were unsubstantiated, they contributed to the lore and notoriety of Hawk Tuah Girl. Welch later set the record straight herself on the podcast Plan Bri Uncut, revealing her real name and her actual job.

Welch's Perfect Timing

Capitalizing on the moment, Welch partnered with Tennessee-based apparel company Fathead Threads to release a line of merchandise tied to the viral moment. In weeks, Fathead Threads had reportedly sold more than $65,000 worth of “Hawk Tuah”–themed merchandise. Included in the line were “Hawk Tuah ’24” hats, selling for $32.78 per hat and $50 for a signed hat. Hence, Welch not only became a viral sensation but also an inspiration for budding digital content creators.

Conclusion

The Hawk Tuah journey has been a testament to the power of the digital era whereby a simple phrase can birth an internet sensation, influencer and businesswoman. Despite the comedic nature of the Hawk Tuah phenomenon, it leaves us with a serious question. What does the future hold for Hawk Tuah Girl and similar viral internet phenomena? It seems only the internet can tell.

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