TIME Magazine has recognised Hailey Welch, the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” the 22-year-old from Tennessee, as one of its Top 100 Creators of 2025.
In June 2024, Welch gained widespread attention after an interview with Tim & Dee TV on a street in Nashville. During the interview, they asked her about a bedroom move that excites men, and she responded, “You gotta give ’em that hawk tuah and spit on that thang!” The clip went viral, garnering millions of views and spawning numerous memes across various platforms. Initially, Welch felt embarrassed and chose to stay home. However, she eventually came to embrace the attention, quit her factory job, and began pursuing new opportunities.
Her rise happened fast. She launched merchandise with her catchphrase. She made high-profile appearances. For example, she threw the first pitch at a New York Mets game. She teamed up with celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal for a DJ set in Nashville. By July 2025, her Instagram followers topped 2.5 million.
Hasan Piker is in TIME Magazine for their first-ever Top 100 Creators list
The other political creators include Theo Von, Joe Rogan, and Hawk Tuah girl pic.twitter.com/7WYx2ewfVQ
— Dexertonox (@Dexertonox) July 9, 2025Welch started the “Talk Tuah” podcast in September 2024. Betr Media produced it. Jake Paul co-founded the company. The show quickly hit Spotify’s top five. Guests included Whitney Cummings, Mark Cuban, and JoJo Siwa. Welch also appeared in Glen Powell’s Hulu series “Chad Powers.” She played herself in a club scene. She featured on YouTube’s “West Date Ever” dating show.
These steps showed her range. They built her viral image into a strong brand. In April 2025, she left Betr. She relaunched “Talk Tuah” independently. This marked a fresh start.
Hawk Tuah Girl’s Crypto Scandal
Welch faced hurdles. In December 2024, she endorsed the $HAWK meme cryptocurrency. It reached a market capitalisation of $490 million. Then, it dropped 95%. Investors lost money. Federal probes followed. The SEC and FBI cleared her in early 2025. In May, Welch spoke out. She said she lacked crypto knowledge. She worked with the investigators fully. She felt sorry. She emphasised the importance of thoroughly checking partners, especially for fans.
Read: Hawk Tuah Girl Clueless About NFL Star Antonio Brown in Viral Moment
The event highlighted risks associated with influencer deals. Yet, it did not stop her progress. Her TIME honour proves this.
TIME’s first Top 100 Creators list for 2025 features Welch. She joins MrBeast and Kai Cenat. The magazine praises her humour and cultural role. Welch posted thanks on Instagram. She called it an honour. She thanked fans for her successes. These include her podcast and star team-ups.
In July 2025, experts estimate her net worth at several million. Endorsements and media deals drive it. Her tale highlights the power of authenticity online.
