The "Hawk Tuah" Meme: A Viral Phenomenon Sparking Conversation About Social Media Power and Internet Trend Ownership

The cyberspace has been abuzz with the "Hawk Tuah" meme, an onomatopoeic catchphrase that originated from a viral YouTube TV post in June 2024.

The “Hawk Tuah” meme has taken the internet by storm, but what's the origin story behind this viral catchphrase?

The phrase “Hawk Tuah” originated from a street interview conducted by Tim & Dee TV, a vox pop YouTube channel, in the Broadway district of Nashville, Tennessee. The interview was conducted in June 2024 and featured a group of young American women being asked about what makes a man go crazy in bed.

When asked this question, Haliey Welch, one of the women being interviewed, responded with the catchphrase “Hawk Tuah.” The video of the interview was uploaded to YouTube on June 11, 2024, and quickly went viral, spreading across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Welch, who became known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” gained a large social media following and media attention after the video went viral. She created an Instagram account, set up a company, and registered several trademarks related to the phrase.

Welch also began selling merchandise themed on the phrase and making paid appearances. On August 15, 2024, she threw the ceremonial first pitch of a New York Mets game and launched a podcast, “Talk Tuah,” under the Betr media company co-founded by Jake Paul.

However, the virality of the “Hawk Tuah” meme has also been plagued by controversy. Tim & Dee TV, the creators of the original video, have expressed disappointment and frustration over not receiving recognition for Welch's fame.

Additionally, a recent lawsuit has been filed against Welch for the improper promotion and sale of a cryptocurrency meme coin known as the “Hawk Token” (3).