Hawk Tuah girl reveals how she REALLY feels about infamous nickname after becoming viral meme

Haliey Welch, aka Hawk Tuah Girl, is ready to move past the persona that made her a viral sensation.

The 22-year-old social media star, who shot to fame after her candid discussion about oral sex took over TikTok in June, opened up about the moniker during Tuesday's appearance on the dating show West Date Ever. 

'We’re trying to step away from it,' she admitted to host and Summer House star West Wilson. 'I'd rather just be known by my first name, not Ms Hawk.'

Despite wanting to distance herself from the label, Hailey is still eager to capitalize on her newfound fame. 

'We’re steering towards podcasts and stuff like that,' she explained. 'And a reality TV show, we’ve talked about it.'

By the time her date with Wilson ended, Welch admitted it was 'probably one of the best' she had ever experienced. 

In another interview, Wilson expressed his desire to support Haliey in leaving the 'Hawk Tuah' nickname behind. 

'She got thrown into the spotlight almost against her will, so I wanted to make sure she knew I wasn’t there to beat her viral meme over everyone’s heads,' he told Page Six.

'Everyone has a story and I wanted to get to know more about her and help her leave "Hawk Tuah" in the past.'

In July, Haliey filed to trademark her signature phrase after she shot to fame giving sex tips on the streets of Nashville.

She launched her own company named '16 Minutes LLC' and applied to have complete rights to use her sensational line on merchandise items, including hats and t-shirts. 

Welch is seeking a trademark for clothing items and entertainment services - namely comedy shows and podcasts about 'comedy and current events', according to documents seen by DailyMail.com. 

As a requirement for the filing, Welch also submitted a picture of a beige and brown colored hat featuring her phrase 'Hawk Tuah '24. Spit On That Thing' written in red that was made in collaboration with Tennessee-based hat company Fathead Threads. 

While Welch was more than happy to share sexual advice with millions of people, she has kept her fans in mystery over the name of her company. 

16 Minutes LLC, based in Nashville, Tennessee, may be a clever wordplay over her attempts to have more than just 15 minutes of fame after her viral interview.

The name of the new company may also be a nod to her life-changing line - 'You've got to give him that hawk tuah and spit on that thang, you get me?' - which is comprised of 16 words. 

According to TMZ, Welch and her management team are planning to send cease and desist letters to merchants who are trying to use 'Hawk Tuah' on clothing for profit.

The filing, as well as her new company come, as a surprise after she told Brianna Lapaglia on the Plan Bri Uncut podcast that she was hesitant to be 'Hawk Tuah' girl forever.

On July 1, she revealed that she has quit her factory job and employed management since the clip of her explaining how to 'make a man go crazy in bed' for Tim & Dee TV racked up more than three million views on YouTube after airing June 19.

When asked what her parents think of her viral comment, Welch replied: 'They think it's so funny... they never know what's gonna come out of my mouth.'

Welch had initially isolated herself in rural Tennessee where she lives with her family. Her friends and family built a protective wall around her to shield her from the publicity. 

Since being thrust into the spotlight, she explained she had received 'revolting' offers' from fans who attempted to reach her through the man she has partnered with to offer special 'Hawk Tuah' merchandise. 

She said: 'So, the guy that does my hats, he got offered $600 three days ago for me to spit in a jar and sell it. That is revolting! That is just disgusting, is it not?' 

She joined Lapaglia, also known as 'Brianna Chickenfry,' just two days after sharing the stage with Lapaglia's boyfriend Zach Bryan at the Nashville Nissan Stadium.

In the wide-ranging interview, Welch confirmed she had been out drinking that evening but that her comment was intended as a joke and that she 'didn't mean anything by it.'

The rising star was then quizzed on who her celebrity crush is in a game called 'Hawk Tuah or Nah.' 

Lapaglia first asked what Welch thought of her own country singer boyfriend, telling Welch to 'be careful.' 

Welch and Chelsea Bradford, the friend that stood next to her in the viral clip, both broke out in laughter before telling Lapaglia: 'I love you, but hawk tuah.' 

The pair went on to show interest in Morgan Wallen. However, they did not recognize who Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Antonio Brown.

They also initially failed to recognize Dave Portnoy, the owner of Barstool Sports, but after Lapaglia showed them a picture they gave him a 'Hawk.' 

Welch and Bradford were also reluctant when asked about professional boxer and Youtuber Jake Paul, but they immediately turned down the offer to 'hawk tuah' former President Donald Trump.

Lapaglia then asked the internet sensation how she felt about being known as the Hawk Tuah girl, something Welch said she doesn't want to be called for the rest of her life. 

Welch also debunked rumors about where she and her family worked. The internet initially said that Welch was a schoolteacher that was fired after the video came out, and that her father was a preacher. 

'I worked in a spring factory, I'm not a school teacher,' she said. 

'My father is so far from a preacher, it's crazy.' 

She said that after she became famous she quit her job and now plans on traveling across the county and 'be on a show and be on a bunch of podcasts and everything else in between.'