From viral queen to controversy magnet
It all started in June 2024, when Welch unleashed the now-infamous line, “You gotta give it that Hawk Tuah!” in a TikTok clip that exploded across the internet. The moment catapulted her into viral stardom, earning her talk show appearances, a hit podcast called Talk Tuah, and a level of online notoriety few could rival.
But fame came with consequences. Welch became entangled in the $HAWK crypto token, which surged and then plummeted shortly after her endorsement. Accusations of a pump-and-dump scheme surfaced. According to MSN, much of the token’s revenue was funneled into legal and PR expenses. Welch took partial ownership of the mess: “I trusted people I shouldn’t have. That’s on me. But I’m not hiding anymore.” The Guardian summed it up best: “Her name was weaponized by opportunists who had nothing to lose. She wasn’t in on it. But she was in it.”
CPT Game Night VI: Steady hands and second chances
At Game Night VI of the Celebrity Poker Tour, Welch held her own among 10 celebrity players, finishing in a respectable fifth place. Her playing style was cautious yet respected. In a post-match interview, she revealed she'd done her homework — watching streams, getting tips from friends — determined to earn recognition as a legitimate player, not just an internet meme.
The table featured some notable names, including MLB legend Jose Canseco, UFC fighter Mackenzie Dern, chess and poker crossover star Alexandra Botez, and influencer CJ So Cool. Dern emerged as one of Welch’s closest allies at the table — the two later teamed up for a joint episode of Talk Tuah.
Though Welch landed in fifth, this was a winner-takes-all event. The title — and the 10.000€ prize — went to Suede Brooks, the model and YouTube personality known for her fashion campaigns and strong social media presence. On this night, Brooks proved she could dominate the poker table as confidently as the runway.
The return of Talk Tuah
Following the tournament, Welch officially relaunched her podcast. The first guest? Mackenzie Dern. The duo opened up about public pressure, personal missteps, and the courage it takes to bounce back. Welch posted to Instagram with a message that hit home: “There’s nowhere to hide at the poker table. You either play or you don’t. And I’ve decided to play.” As Fast Company described it, this marks a deliberate rebranding: “I’m done playing the character everyone expects. I’m showing up as myself from now on.”
Welch’s return isn’t unfolding under the blinding lights of TikTok virality, but in the deliberate calm of a poker studio. Game Night VI gave her space to be more than a meme. And maybe — just maybe — poker will be the place where Haliey Welch rediscovers herself, this time with clarity, authenticity, and far fewer viral catchphrases.
Sources: PokerNews, YouTube, CoinGape, Vanity Fair, The Guardian