The plot thickens.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past month or so, you’ve surely seen the viral clip of Haliey Welch, also known as the “Hawk Tuah” girl, somewhere across the internet.
In case you haven’t seen the clip, TikTok Creators, Tim & Dee TV, approached Welch and her friend, Bradford, on the streets of Nashville during CMA Fest and birthed the viral sensation that is now “hawk tuah.” Words don’t really do the interaction justice, so you’ll just have to watch it for yourself in case you still somehow haven’t seen it (which at this rate, I don’t know how that’s possible given that it seems like it’s quite literally everywhere now).
As I said previously, this video has been spread across the internet, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. While, of course, there have been plenty of incredibly viral videos making their waves across the web over the past two decades, there’s simply something about “hawk tuah” that seems to be capturing everyone and not letting them go. I still don’t quite get it myself, but at this point, there’s no denying the power of Welch’s infamous phrase.
The virality of the clip not only prompted Welch to sing on stage with Zach Bryan during his performance of “Revival,” but also prompted her to appear on Bryan’s girlfriend, Brianna LaPagila’s, podcast Plan Bri. Welch also signed a worldwide exclusive management contract with The Penthouse, an independent label specializing in A&R and production back on July 2nd which you can read more about here.
Today, she was interviewed by none other than Rolling Stone. Surrounded by her publicist, manager and videographer, the 21-year-old viral sensation gave a candid interview about her plans for the future, her rise to fame and more.
In the interview, it’s revealed that she shares the same PR firm as the legendary Bruce Springsteen and country star, Justin Moore. Author, Joseph Hudak, noted in the article, ” [Welch] secured the same high-powered publicity firm that has represented Bruce Springsteen for decades. (When I point this out to Welch, she stops eating to ask, “Who is that?” but lights up with recognition when she learns her publicist also reps country singer Justin Moore.)”
Moore even caught wind of the Rolling Stone interview, poking fun at his name being mentioned on his Instagram story earlier today:
While I have to point out the absurdity of not knowing who Springsteen is given that he is one of the most legendary and influential American musicians of all time (actually, come to think about it, maybe it’s not that absurd given the reception to his inclusion on Zach Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene from many younger listeners), it’s actually pretty funny that Welch is a fan of the severely underrated “Bait a Hook” singer.
After doing a little digging, it seems that the PR firm that Hudak mentions in the article is Shore Fire Media, a PR company that has bases in Nashville, L.A. and New York. Besides Springsteen and Moore, Shore Fire represents a plethora of different artists such as Muscadine Bloodline, The Avett Brothers, Chase Bryant, Shaboozey, Lee Ann Womack, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor and more.
It should go without saying that the fact a drunk girl who happened to fire off a memorable quote during a street interview in Nashville is now being represented by the team behind the likes of Springsteen, Matthews and Taylor is absolutely absurd. But, at the end of the day, you really can’t help but sit back and laugh at the situation; it’s truly that unreal. The internet really changes lives after all.