Hailey Welch, better known across the internet as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” is living proof that viral fame can be a ticket to surprising wealth. In just under a year, the 22-year-old from Belfast, Tennessee went from factory worker to meme royalty—grabbing the internet’s attention with a single unscripted moment that spiraled into a full-fledged personal brand.
The phrase that launched her into stardom? A bold, off-the-cuff line during a street interview: “You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang!” What started as a funny, late-night clip turned Welch into a global sensation. Today, she’s raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars and building a lasting name in the influencer and business worlds.
What is Hailey Welch’s Net Worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Hailey Welch has an estimated net worth of $500,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth. For someone who was working at a spring factory just a year ago, this financial transformation is nothing short of remarkable.
Welch didn’t just go viral—she leveraged her moment in the spotlight to launch merchandise, a podcast, and even her own cryptocurrency. Her mix of Southern charm, sharp humor, and unfiltered personality quickly caught the attention of millions, including celebrities like Jack Whitehall, who quoted her at the BRIT Awards, and Shaquille O’Neal, who partied alongside her in Nashville.
From Factory Shifts to Front Pages
Before fame found her, Welch lived a simple life in Belfast, Tennessee—a rural town with a population under 1,000. Her job? Packing springs in a shipping department. “You know, like a spring. Boing!” she joked in an interview.
But after the video clip of her infamous comment was uploaded in June 2024, everything changed. She woke up the next day to messages from friends, family, and fans flooding her phone. Within days, Welch had decided to leave her factory job to pursue new opportunities. Though she didn’t dislike her work, she wanted the freedom to travel and explore this unexpected new life.
Monetizing the Meme
Capitalizing on her instant fame, Welch launched a line of “Hawk Tuah”-themed merchandise in collaboration with Tennessee-based clothing brand Fathead Threads. In just the first wave of sales, she reportedly pulled in over $65,000. Shirts and hats bearing her viral phrase sold out quickly, forcing the small family-run shop to scale production to meet demand.
Welch also moved quickly to trademark her catchphrase, giving her long-term control over the branding and potential licensing deals that might come her way.
Adding another layer to her income strategy, Welch entered the world of cryptocurrency. In late 2024, she released the “Hawk Tuah” meme coin, which skyrocketed to a staggering market cap of $500 million. However, as with many meme-driven coins, the hype didn’t last. The coin saw a dramatic dip of 95%, leaving it with a still-substantial value of $25 million. Though the venture didn’t stay at its peak, it still demonstrated Welch’s instinct for seizing fast-moving trends.
The Rise of Talk Tuah
In September 2024, Welch unveiled her next big project—a podcast titled Talk Tuah. Promoted as the place to discover “the real Hailey Welch,” the show quickly gained momentum, accumulating over 200,000 subscribers within months. Guests on the show have included major personalities like Whitney Cummings, Jake Paul, and Josh Richards.
The podcast gave Welch a platform to showcase her voice beyond the meme, connecting with fans and proving she had more to offer than just a viral moment.
Public Appearances and Celebrity Moments
Hailey Welch’s newfound fame has brought her into the company of A-list celebrities. In mid-2024, she made headlines for partying alongside NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, aka DJ Diesel, at JBJ’s rooftop bar in Nashville. There, Welch grabbed the mic and performed a live “Hawk Tuah” shout, much to the crowd’s delight.
She also shared the stage with country music star Zach Bryan during his Revival performance at Nissan Stadium in Tennessee. Dressed in cowboy boots and cut-off shorts, Welch sang with the crowd before delivering another signature spit line to roaring applause.
Welch has also booked high-paying meet-and-greet events. At one such pop-up hosted by the Memory Motel in NYC, she earned over $30,000 just by showing up to meet fans and sign merchandise.
A Viral Path That Keeps Paying Off
Welch’s hometown roots and unexpected rise have captured the attention of media outlets and talent scouts alike. Christian Barker of Barker & Co. described her as “the female Theo Von,” referencing the rising trend of Southern-rooted comic storytellers.
Even as her fame peaks and dips like many viral stars before her, Welch’s story resonates with a wide audience. She didn’t chase the spotlight—it found her. But what sets her apart is how quickly and strategically she embraced it.
Conclusion
Hailey Welch’s net worth in 2025 reflects not just the power of a viral moment, but the business savvy behind turning laughs into long-term income. From selling out merchandise to launching a podcast and partying with celebrities, Welch has built a brand that is both humorous and profitable.
While the internet is full of fleeting trends, Hailey Welch has proven she’s more than a meme. Her rise from a spring factory worker in a town without a stoplight to a half-million-dollar brand is the kind of story that reminds us—sometimes, it just takes one unforgettable moment to change everything.
