Who originally interviewed Hawk Tuah girl? Haliey Welch says she will never thank the interviewer who made her famous
In a statement addressing the online curiosity surrounding her rise to fame, Haliey Welch, popularly known for her viral portrayal of "Hawk Tuah Girl," declared she has no plans to thank the interviewer who initially brought her into the limelight.
On July 31, 2024, the viral sensation "Hawk Tuah Girl" appeared on the Bobby Bones Show podcast. During the interview, she candidly revealed that she had no intention of expressing gratitude to the individual responsible for her initial rise to fame.
"Thank you for what?... I am not gonna thank him for anything," Welch said.
Hawk Tuah Girl was first interviewed by DeArius Marlow, a member of the Tennessee-based video-making duo Tim and Dee TV. Known for their street-style videos featuring spontaneous interviews with passersby, the duo captures candid moments by asking thought-provoking and often quirky questions.
Haliey Welch's now-viral interview took place on June 24, 2024, marking the beginning of her journey to internet fame.
Haliey Welch dismisses gratitude for her first interviewer
In a candid appearance on the Bobby Bones Show, Haliey Welch was asked whether she planned to thank the individual credited with her rise to fame.
In response, Welch firmly declined, stating she had no such intentions. She further revealed that DeArius Marlow, the original interviewer who propelled her into the spotlight, had blocked her on social media after posting the viral video online.
"We reached out to him [Marlow] and I asked him to stop posting those videos and he never did. He blocked us all on everything, so I am not telling him thank you for anything," Welch revealed.
During the interview, Haliey Welch disclosed that she initially wanted to prevent the videos from spreading. When the footage first went viral, she admitted to hiding in embarrassment for two weeks.
However, she decided to come forward and reveal her identity after others falsely claimed to be her and profited from her newfound fame.
This was not the first time Haliey Welch shared her discomfort with fame online. On September 21, 2024, in an interview with People, she expressed similar sentiments, also pointing out the hypocrisy of those who engage with her content negatively while still showing some level of interest or support by following her.
"It's been hella hectic... Most of them that comment hateful things under my stuff, it says 'Follow back,' That's kind of self-explanatory," Welch said.
For the unversed, on June 9, during CMA Fest in Nashville, Haliey Welch was approached by the YouTube duo Tim and Dee TV while walking along Broadway. In their signature street-style interview format, they posed an adult question to Welch.
In the now-viral video, the interviewer asked, "What's one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?" It was Welch's response to this question that catapulted her into internet fame.
"You gotta give 'em that 'hawk tuah' and spit on that thang," Welch replied.
However, this was not the only moment that caught people's attention. DeArius Marlow initially approached Haliey Welch, who was accompanied by a friend whose identity remains unknown.
The interviewer began by asking them how someone can get over a breakup, to which they responded to have a rebound and move past the breakup.
During the interview, Haliey Welch can be seen wearing a black midi dress featuring cut-out details at the waist. She appeared largely uninterested in the questions and was more engaged with passersby than the conversation.
The interview with the girls, which runs for roughly four minutes, covers several questions. Ultimately, the two women departed, joining other friends as the segment concluded.
According to The Bobby Bones Show, Haliey Welch is actively moving past her viral fame and prefers to be recognized simply by her name, Haliey. She currently works at Spring Factory in her hometown of Belfast, Tennessee, handling shipping and quality control, and resides with her grandmother.
Before her rise to fame, the 21-year-old had no social media presence. However, following the viral video, she created an account and received offers from brands and celebrities interested in collaborations. Overwhelmed by the sudden attention, Welch hired a lawyer to ensure she navigated the opportunities wisely and avoided exploitation.
As of now, the YouTube duo Tim and Dee TV have not issued any public comments regarding the situation.