Haliey Welch, the young woman who became an overnight sensation as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” is set to be the subject of a new documentary.
Developed by Emmy-winning company Bungalow Media + Entertainment, the film will unpack Welch’s unexpected rise from anonymity to global meme status following her now-infamous quote during a street interview on YouTube’s Tim & Dee TV channel.
The moment, which aired on 11 June 2024, saw Welch use the phrase “hawk tuah” while candidly describing a form of oral sex. It exploded across the internet, racking up over 40 million impressions in just days. Welch, who had no significant online presence prior to the clip, found herself in the middle of an internet firestorm.
The documentary will explore her transition from embarrassment to empowerment. Initially avoiding public attention, Welch eventually embraced her viral fame—launching a chart-topping podcast, a merchandise line, a dating app, and even a music venture. She also founded the animal-focused charity Paws Across America. Most recently, she weathered a strange crypto-related controversy, adding another layer to her already surreal story.
Bob Friedman, CEO of Bungalow Media, said, “With only a single sentence, Haliey Welch went from an unknown young woman having a night out on the town to global phenomenon who cemented her status in the pop culture lexicon.”
Welch now boasts 1.8 million TikTok followers and 2.5 million on Instagram. Despite the chaos, she’s leaned into the mythos. “I hope y’all been enjoying the crazy stories about ‘my life’ unfold on social media,” she said. “First, I was dead. Then pregnant. Now I’m wanted by Interpol and in jail! Luckily, we’ve been working with Bungalow to start spilling the tea and the truth is actually even more bizarre than you think.”
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