Hailey Welch, the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” Opens Up About Her New Infamy in First Interview

Hailey Welch, better known as “Hawk Tuah Girl” after her X-rated clip of a Nashville interview propelled her to viral fame, has given her first interview since the infamous segment.

Speaking to Barstool Sports’ Brianna Lapaglia on the “Plan Bri Uncut” podcast Monday, Welch, 21, tried to dispel some of the Internet rumors about her: She’s not a teacher; his father is “the furthest thing” from a preacher.

She said she worked at a spring factory in her small Tennessee hometown and was getting ready for her 2 a.m. graveyard shift when she spotted the video of herself going viral.

She said she deleted her social media accounts long before the video in which she shared a favorite bedroom technique in a Southern country accent.

However, she admitted she was almost “bricked” when she learned of her instant internet fame.

Now she’s trying to turn her improvised onomatopoeic catchphrase into a hefty sum of money.

She has already sold tens of thousands of branded products and now has a management team and a full video crew following her every move.

Lapaglia is dating country star Zach Bryan, who carried Welch onstage during his Nashville show Saturday. She appeared on the podcast wearing the same outfit — Daisy Dukes, white boots, a white tank top and an oversized cowboy hat — that she wore during her appearance on the show.

Welch remembers the moments leading up to the night his life would change forever.

While partying with friends on the streets of Nashville after the CMA Fest music festival, she told LaPaglia, “the next thing I know, there’s a microphone in my face.”

Welch attributed his outgoing personality to his evocative response on a typically private subject.

“I could talk to a brick wall if you really let me,” she laughed.

She said she thought nothing of the YouTubers’ street interview at the time and never expected to see it again.

“Indeed, I saw him again,” she said.