From Viral Fame to Lasting Stardom: Can Hailey Welch Turn Her TikTok Moment Into a Celebrity Career?

In today’s world, going viral on social media can happen overnight. But turning that fleeting attention into lasting fame is a completely different game. This is a challenge Hailey Welch, better known as “Hawk Tuah girl,” is currently navigating. Welch shot to viral fame over the summer on TikTok by enthusiastically sharing casual, explicit advice on topics like oral sex. While the content itself wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, her energetic delivery caught on, propelling her to sudden internet stardom. The big question is, can she turn this quick rise into a long-term celebrity career?

Riding the Wave of Virality

Welch didn’t waste any time once she realized she had a growing fan base. She quickly released merchandise and booked paid appearances, capitalizing on her newfound fame. Now, she’s moved into phase three of her journey: launching her own podcast.

Her podcast, fittingly called 'Talk Tuah', debuted this week with comedian Whitney Cummings as her first guest. Interestingly, Cummings seems to have taken a role in helping viral internet personalities transition into the world of podcasting, as she also appeared as the first guest on Anna Delvey’s podcast.

In the podcast's opening episode, Welch talks about her unexpected rise to fame, marveling at how a few words on TikTok suddenly placed her in the spotlight. She also offers relationship advice, a popular yet oversaturated topic in the world of podcasts. While Welch’s initial fame revolved around her bold, uninhibited persona, she still feels like a “blank slate” in many ways. Her public image hasn’t fully solidified, leaving room for her to define who she will be in the entertainment world.

Whitney Cummings attempts to help Welch craft this persona. She describes Welch’s style as a blend of “ghetto Dolly Parton,” referring to her unpolished, down-to-earth approach, and her “one of the boys” attitude. Cummings even compares Welch to more privileged white women who prioritize politeness and sensitivity. Welch’s more brazen, no-holds-barred attitude could be what sets her apart and gives her a lasting place in the celebrity world. Welch, for her part, seems to appreciate this analysis and could potentially use it to shape her image moving forward.

The Secret to Long-Term Internet Fame

Viral fame can be unpredictable. It’s easy to go viral, but maintaining relevance is much harder. For a viral figure like Welch, long-term success will require a few key ingredients: a unique hook, consistency in content, and a loyal fan base.

One of Welch’s first major appearances post-viral fame was on a 'Barstool Sports' show, which positioned her well within the realm of casual, bold, and irreverent humor. Her podcast is now in partnership with Betr, a sports-betting company started by Jake Paul. This is another strategic move, as Paul himself successfully transitioned from YouTube star to professional boxer, showing how viral fame can lead to bigger opportunities.

In a recent interview, one of Welch’s reps mentioned that her friends refer to her as “the female Theo Vonn,” a stand-up comedian known for his laid-back Southern humor. If Welch continues to build her brand in this direction, she may very well carve out a distinct niche in the entertainment world. It’s even possible that she could become the red-state version of 'Call Her Daddy', a wildly successful podcast that blends humor, boldness, and discussions about relationships and sex.

But can Welch and her team turn her one-dimensional viral fame into a lasting career? There are plenty of examples of people who failed to extend their 15 minutes of fame into something bigger. Take Ken Bone, for instance. He went viral during the 2016 presidential debate simply for asking a question in a red sweater. Like Welch, he sold merchandise and appeared on various talk shows. But despite his brief moment in the spotlight, his fame didn’t last long, in part because there wasn’t much depth to his public persona. Welch faces a similar challenge—if she can’t find ways to expand beyond her initial viral appeal, her fame could fizzle out just as quickly as it started.

The Rise (and Fall) of the Podcast Strategy

Launching a podcast has long been a strategy for influencers and internet celebrities looking to maintain their relevance. Before YouTube dominated the podcast space, owning a successful podcast offered a way to build a dedicated following and avoid being at the mercy of ever-changing social media algorithms. However, as many YouTube stars and influencers will tell you, maintaining long-term relevance in the online world is tough. Burnout is common, and many personalities leave the game when the pressure becomes too much.

But those challenges only arise after someone has fully established themselves. Right now, Welch is still in the early stages of her fame, and it remains to be seen if she can sustain it. The internet is littered with attempts at post-viral fame that didn’t quite work out. Even Anna Delvey, the infamous fake heiress, gave up on her podcast after just nine episodes. Now, she’s set to appear on 'Dancing with the Stars' another platform for former viral figures and reality stars to remain in the public eye.

Welch’s 'Talk Tuah' podcast could follow a similar trajectory. It might go nowhere, or it could be the launchpad that propels her into a bigger spotlight. Either way, Welch now has powerful partnerships and enough initial fame to pull on more opportunities like Instagram, TikTok (again), 'Dancing with the Stars', or even 'Survivor'. And with Jake Paul’s money behind her, she’s got more chances than most to make it happen. Whether she capitalizes on them is the real test ahead.