A 23-year-old woman walked into a Nashville street interview in June 2024 and said something that changed her life forever. Within hours, Hailey Welch went from working at a spring factory to becoming one of the internet’s most talked-about personalities. Today, her net worth sits at an estimated $500,000—proof that viral fame can translate into real money when handled right.
Hailey Welch Net Worth
Hailey Welch’s current net worth stands at approximately $500,000 as of November 2025. She makes money through several channels: podcast hosting, merchandise sales, paid public appearances, social media sponsorships, and a dating app subscription service. Her earnings jumped from roughly $200,000 in mid-2024 to half a million dollars in just over a year. That’s a 150% increase in less than 18 months.
The bulk of her income comes from her podcast and merchandise deals. She charges between $25,000 and $30,000 for single public appearances. Her social media following—2.4 million on Instagram and 1.8 million on TikTok—brings in sponsorship deals that add thousands more to her monthly income.
Who Is Hailey Welch?
Hailey Welch grew up in Belfast, Tennessee, a small town with just 844 residents. She’s lived with her paternal grandmother since she was nine months old. Before fame hit, she worked at a spring factory and had never been on an airplane. She doesn’t even drive on highways.
Her southern accent and blonde hair became part of her signature look after the viral video. She owns a horse and a dog, and despite offers to relocate to Hollywood, she’s stayed in her hometown. This decision to remain grounded has resonated with fans who see her as authentic rather than chasing celebrity status.
The Viral Moment That Changed Everything
On June 11, 2024, Tim & Dee TV stopped Hailey on the street during CMA Fest in Nashville. They asked her a provocative question about dating advice. Her response—featuring the now-famous “Hawk Tuah” phrase—was unfiltered, funny, and completely unexpected. The video exploded across TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter within hours.
Memes flooded every platform. People couldn’t stop sharing it. The phrase became a cultural touchstone for Gen Z humor. Within days, millions knew who she was. The video’s rawness made it spread faster than most scripted content could dream of reaching.
Internet Personality
After the video went viral, Hailey signed with The Penthouse, a management company that represents digital creators. Her manager, Jonnie Forster, helped her turn internet buzz into business opportunities. She gained verified status on Instagram and TikTok, watching her follower counts climb into the millions.
Her content strategy shifted from random moments to planned posts that maintained her personality while building a brand. She posts regularly, engages with fans, and keeps her southern charm front and center. Her engagement rates stay high because she hasn’t tried to become someone she’s not.
How Hailey Welch Makes Money
Hailey’s income streams work together like pieces of a puzzle. Her podcast brings in consistent revenue through sponsorships and ad reads. Merchandise sales spike whenever she drops new products. Public appearances at concerts, sports games, and events pay her five figures per show.
Social media sponsorships add another layer. Brands pay her to promote products to her millions of followers. Her dating app, Pookie Tools, runs on a subscription model that generates recurring income. She also launched an animal charity foundation that, while not a direct income source, strengthens her public image and opens doors for partnerships.
Merchandise Sales and Business Partnerships
Hailey partnered with Fathead Threads, a hat company that was struggling financially. She invested $10,000 of her own money to help save the business. That investment paid off—her first merchandise drop sold $65,000 worth of products almost immediately.
Fans bought hats, t-shirts, and other items featuring her catchphrase and branding. The merchandise success showed that her viral moment wasn’t just a flash in the pan. People wanted tangible pieces of the phenomenon. The partnership benefits both parties: the company gets a recognizable face, and she gets a percentage of every sale.
Talk Tuah Podcast Success
In September 2024, Hailey launched “Talk Tuah” with Betr Media. The podcast quickly climbed to number five on Spotify’s charts. She’s interviewed big names like Mark Cuban, Logan Paul, and JoJo Siwa. Each episode averages hundreds of thousands of downloads.
The show gives her a platform beyond the viral video. She discusses relationships, pop culture, and current events with guests and co-hosts. Revenue comes from sponsorships, ad placements, and YouTube views. The podcast model works because it turns one-time viewers into regular listeners who stick around week after week.
Career Highlights and Public Appearances
Hailey threw out the first pitch at a New York Mets game in August 2024. She attended a Zach Bryan concert that got massive media coverage. She appeared at a DJ set with Shaquille O’Neal. Each appearance generated headlines and kept her name in the conversation.
These events aren’t just for show—they’re paid gigs that boost her bank account while maintaining visibility. She’s smart about choosing appearances that fit her brand. She doesn’t overexpose herself, which keeps demand high and fees elevated.
Hailey Welch Age and Personal Background
Born July 13, 2002, Hailey is currently 23 years old. She didn’t finish college, but her street smarts and business sense have served her well. Growing up in a town of fewer than 1,000 people gave her a different perspective than most influencers who start in major cities.
Her family situation—being raised by her grandmother—shaped her values. She talks openly about her upbringing without making it a sob story. This honesty connects with audiences who appreciate vulnerability without victimhood.
Relationship and Boyfriend Kelby Blackwell
For months, fans speculated about Hailey’s boyfriend, known only as “Pookie.” In November 2024, she finally revealed his identity on her podcast. Kelby Blackwell is a plumber she’d been dating for three years before she went viral.
The couple keeps their relationship relatively private despite her public persona. Kelby stays off social media for the most part. Their three-year history means their relationship predates her fame, which gives it credibility. He’s not riding her coattails—he has his own career and life.
Life in Belfast Tennessee
Belfast has a population smaller than most high schools. Hailey still lives there with her grandmother, her horse, and her dog. She’s turned down opportunities to move to Los Angeles or New York. This decision keeps her connected to her roots and prevents the isolation many viral stars face.
Her hometown appreciates her success without treating her like she’s above anyone else. She shops at local stores, attends community events, and stays involved. This grounding helps her avoid the pitfalls that come with sudden wealth and attention.
The Cryptocurrency Controversy
In December 2024, Hailey launched a cryptocurrency called $HAWK token. The market cap hit $490 million before crashing to $25 million within hours. Investors accused her team of orchestrating a pump-and-dump scheme. Lawsuits followed.
She cooperated with FBI investigators and maintained she was also misled by advisors. In March 2025, the SEC cleared her of wrongdoing after their investigation. While legally exonerated, the controversy damaged her reputation with some fans. She addressed it tearfully on her podcast, explaining she didn’t understand how cryptocurrency worked when she agreed to the launch.
Pookie Tools Dating App
Hailey launched Pookie Tools in November 2024 with co-founder Ben Ganz. The AI-powered dating app targets Gen Z singles looking for relationship advice and matchmaking assistance. Users pay a subscription fee for premium features.
The app received mixed reviews. Some praised its user-friendly interface and Hailey’s involvement in content creation. Others criticized it as another celebrity cash grab. Downloads were strong initially but tapered off after the crypto scandal affected her credibility.
Paws Across America Foundation
Hailey partnered with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to create Paws Across America, an animal charity. She’s donated to the Lewisburg Animal Shelter and promoted pet adoption through her social channels.
The foundation reflects her genuine love for animals—she owns horses and dogs herself. This charitable work helps rehabilitate her image post-crypto controversy while supporting causes she cares about. It’s smart PR that also does genuine good.
Income Sources Breakdown
Breaking down Hailey’s earnings: her podcast brings in roughly $15,000-$20,000 per episode through sponsorships. Merchandise sales add another $10,000-$15,000 monthly. Public appearances at $25,000-$30,000 each happen several times per quarter. Social media sponsorships range from $5,000-$10,000 per post depending on the brand.
Her dating app subscriptions generate recurring revenue, though exact figures aren’t public. Combined, these streams push her monthly income well into six figures during peak months. Slower months still net her more than most people make in a year.
From $200K to $500K How Her Wealth Grew
In June 2024, Hailey had almost nothing. By August, early estimates put her around $50,000 from merchandise alone. Fall 2024 saw her podcast launch, which added significant income. By year’s end, she’d crossed $300,000. The first quarter of 2025 brought more appearances and higher sponsorship rates, pushing her past half a million.
Her wealth progression shows what happens when someone capitalizes on viral fame instead of letting it fade. She didn’t sit back—she built businesses, signed deals, and diversified income streams while people still remembered her name.
Social Media Influence and Following
Hailey’s Instagram account sits at 2.4 million followers. TikTok shows 1.8 million. Her engagement rates stay above industry averages because she posts consistently and interacts with comments. She’s verified on both platforms, which adds legitimacy.
Her content mixes personal updates, sponsored posts, podcast clips, and behind-the-scenes looks at her life. She doesn’t overproduce content—most posts feel spontaneous and real. This authenticity keeps followers engaged rather than feeling like they’re watching ads disguised as content.
What’s Next for Hailey Welch
Hailey’s rebuilding after the crypto scandal. Her podcast continues without Betr Media’s direct sponsorship, running independently with various brand deals. There’s talk of a documentary called “DocTuah” that would chronicle her journey from factory worker to internet personality.
Staying relevant past viral fame is her biggest challenge. Most internet sensations fade within months. She’s lasted over a year by diversifying, staying authentic, and not overexposing herself. Whether she maintains this trajectory depends on her ability to evolve beyond being “that girl from the video” into a personality with lasting appeal.
