Current whereabouts of Hailey Welch uncovered – VidCon podcast recording instigates renewed Hawk Tuah Girl scandal
In a rollercoaster ride of fame and controversy, social media personality Caroline Welch, better known as Hawk Tuah, has made headlines this year.
Welch first gained notoriety last June when street YouTubers TimandDeeTV filmed her in Nashville, and she gave the iconic "hawk tuah" catchphrase to an NSFW question. Since then, she has signed with management firm The Penthouse, launched her own merchandise, started a podcast, and was announced to star in Glen Powell's TV series 'Chad Powers'.
However, her fame was overshadowed by a cryptocurrency controversy. Welch launched her own cryptocurrency, the $HAWK token, but it didn't go well. The cryptocurrency was the victim of a 'rug pull', where snipers made a huge profit by buying and selling it, costing millions to people who had bought it.
A lawsuit has been filed accusing overHere, the platform for the $HAWK token, and several individuals, including Welch, of unlawfully promoting and selling cryptocurrency that was allegedly never properly registered. OverHere said someone known as Doc Hollywood controlled all decisions, fees, treasury, and charged 15% trading fees.
Welch addressed her fans, investors, and community on X/Twitter regarding the cryptocurrency scandal. She claimed she was investigated by the FBI and the SEC and cleared of any wrongdoing on the matter. She also reflected on the controversy in an interview with Vanity Fair.
Controversy followed Welch to VidCon, where she participated in a podcast recording and faced jibes from the crowd. She later returned to social media with a comedic Instagram skit. However, questions remained about her podcast episode with FaZe Clan's founder, Banks, which was deleted. Banks raised suspicions about how the episode made it online when he hadn't green-lit it.
Welch was also joined by Banks on her podcast, but the call abruptly ended. This incident, along with the cryptocurrency controversy, cast a shadow over her upcoming appearance in Glen Powell's TV series 'Chad Powers', which will premiere on Hulu later this year on September 30, 2025, and where Welch will appear in a cameo during a club scene.
Despite the controversies, Welch celebrated the anniversary of her viral fame by sharing her thoughts on Instagram, expressing gratitude for her supporters and excitement for the future. Influencer manager Caroline Mattson, who engaged with VidCon by introducing a Meta partnership along with Bladez at VidCon 2025, may play a role in helping Welch navigate the stormy waters ahead.
