Latest news with #BungalowMedia+Entertainment
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Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Internet reacts to Hawk Tuah Girl's return following meme coin collapse: 'Scammed millions, dipped and came back for more'
Hailey Welch, widely known as the 'Hawk Tuah' girl, has returned to social media following her months-long hiatus after being caught in a crypto scandal involving her meme coin, $HAWK. The 22-year-old posted a new comedic video on Instagram this week, poking fun at the wild internet rumors about her absence, including theories about being pregnant, jailed, or completely vanished. Welch initially rose to fame in mid-2024 after going viral in a street-style interview where she made a suggestive noise that was dubbed 'Hawk Tuah.' Capitalizing on the viral fame, she launched the $HAWK meme coin on the Solana blockchain. But the digital currency quickly tanked, dropping from a $490 million valuation to just $29.1 million within 24 hours—sparking accusations of a pump-and-dump scheme. 'I was hoping that her 30 seconds of fame was over,' one X user wrote, while another slammed her comeback: 'So she thinks 3 months is all it takes for people to forget you stole from them?' Another post that summed up the frustration read, 'Scammed millions, dipped and came back for more.' I was hoping that her 30 seconds of fame was over. — Brad Willis (@bradfordwillis) March 26, 2025 So she thinks 3 months is all it takes for people to forget you stole them? — Yves (@Koffee_Yves) March 25, 2025 Scammed millions, dipped and came back for more 😭 — Unknown (@txffy838) March 25, 2025 Critics didn't hold back. 'This is what y'all get for making talentless people who have an entertaining personality famous,' said one user. 'They scam and don't get held accountable for it.' Others questioned whether she planned to repay those who lost money. 'So is she going to refund the people who lost money?' one asked, while another sarcastically added, 'Was expecting an apology video with a ukulele or an interpretive dance… forgot she doesn't have any form of talent like that.' So is she going to refund the people who lost money? — SUAREZ (@suayrez) March 25, 2025 Welch had initially claimed she was working with affected investors to resolve the matter, but soon went silent—ceasing all podcast uploads and disappearing from her accounts. Her sudden return with a skit, rather than an apology, has reignited criticism from across the internet. Amid the backlash, a documentary on Hailey's viral rise is reportedly in the works. Bungalow Media + Entertainment is producing the project, which CEO Bob Friedman described as 'both an inspiring and entertaining story of Hailey's journey, and a lens into what it means to navigate the risks and rewards that come with living in the public's eye.' Whether the internet forgives Welch remains uncertain, but it's clear her return has stirred up more controversy than celebration.
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Hawk Tuah' girl Haliey Welch returns to spotlight with new documentary exploring her viral rise to fame: "DocTuah is OTW"
Haliey Welch, the young woman who became an overnight sensation as the 'Hawk Tuah Girl,' is set to be the subject of a new documentary. Developed by Emmy-winning company Bungalow Media + Entertainment, the film will unpack Welch's unexpected rise from anonymity to global meme status following her now-infamous quote during a street interview on YouTube's Tim & Dee TV channel. The moment, which aired on 11 June 2024, saw Welch use the phrase 'hawk tuah' while candidly describing a form of oral sex. It exploded across the internet, racking up over 40 million impressions in just days. Welch, who had no significant online presence prior to the clip, found herself in the middle of an internet firestorm. The documentary will explore her transition from embarrassment to empowerment. Initially avoiding public attention, Welch eventually embraced her viral fame—launching a chart-topping podcast, a merchandise line, a dating app, and even a music venture. She also founded the animal-focused charity Paws Across America. Most recently, she weathered a strange crypto-related controversy, adding another layer to her already surreal story. Bob Friedman, CEO of Bungalow Media, said, 'With only a single sentence, Haliey Welch went from an unknown young woman having a night out on the town to global phenomenon who cemented her status in the pop culture lexicon.' Welch now boasts 1.8 million TikTok followers and 2.5 million on Instagram. Despite the chaos, she's leaned into the mythos. 'I hope y'all been enjoying the crazy stories about 'my life' unfold on social media,' she said. 'First, I was dead. Then pregnant. Now I'm wanted by Interpol and in jail! Luckily, we've been working with Bungalow to start spilling the tea and the truth is actually even more bizarre than you think.'
