You know the viral video and the nickname she got from it. You might also know her podcast and cryptocurrency scandal.

But did you know Haliey Welch – known as “Hawk Tua Girl” from the funny, raunchy and twangy reply she gave last summer to a YouTuber’s street-interview question about sex — has a connection to Alabama?

Prior to her sudden fame, Welch, a 22-year-old Tennessee native, briefly attended the University of North Alabama. That facet of Welch’s backstory is chronicled in her novelty song with TikTok musician Jax White in which they attempt to explain to Welch’s grandmother, aka “Granny Hawk,” the meaning of Welch’s elicit catchphrase.

The song clip starts with White playing the keyboard and singing “‘This is Haliey, and she went to the University of Northern [sic] Alabama. But she had to drop out to pay the bills.”

Welch chimes in, “And take of my grandma.” White continues by singing, “And then she went viral, so she made some cash. But Granny keeps asking her what ‘Hawk Tuah’ means, so we wrote this song for Haliey’s grandma.” Welch adds, “To explain myself to the elderly.”

After the Hawk Tuah clip made her super-famous overnight, Welch, unlike many famous-for-being-famous types, didn’t take herself too seriously.

During interviews on podcasts hosted by the likes of comedy stars Bill Maher and Whitney Cummings, Welch’s downhome charm and sense of humor shined. Without coming off thirsty at all. She was the subject of a glowing profile by Rolling Stone. Threw out the first pitch at a home game of the New York Mets, her favorite baseball team. Attended Cullman, Ala. music festival Rock The South as a special guest.

Welch then launched her own podcast, winkingly titled “Talk Tuah.” Guests have included boxer/YouTube star Jake Paul, rich guy/”Shark Tank” TV personality Mark Cuban, and rapper Wiz Khalifa.

The bio on Welch’s Instagram account, followed by 2.6 million, reads, “Influence for Good.” In 2024 she launched Paws Across America, which is dedicated to bringing “awareness, advocacy and financial assistance to animal charities within the United States,” according to the organization’s website.

In a quote on that website, Welch says, “Ever since my life changed so publicly, I realized there had to be a reason for it. Growing up, the one constant in my life was my pets and they helped me get through so much. By starting Haliey Welch’s Paws Across America, my newfound financial blessings will be shared with the animals that need it most.”

In December, the rags to riches of Welch, who was still working for a factory when “Hawk Tuah” happened, took a bad turn. She released the cryptocurrency meme coin $HAWK. Its value initially zoomed but soon dropped drastically, causing fans and investors big losses. Welch and her team were accused of a so-called pump-and-dump scheme.

In a statement at the time, Welsh said, “I take this situation extremely seriously and want to address my fans, the investors who have been affected, and the broader community. I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and resolve this matter.”

After the crypto crash scandal, Welch withdrew from public view. Her podcast and social media went radio silent. Finally, on a leaked new “Talk Tua” episode that hit social media Thursday, Welch has broken her silence.

“I want to start my saying thank you to all my true fans,” she says in the clip, “and all the people that actually watch my stuff and they keep up with me. We’re trying to sort out all the pieces and stuff to get all this figured out and make everything right.”

After fighting back tears, Welch continues, “And I feel really bad for all the people that got affected by it and it just didn’t go the way I planned.” In the clip, she adds, “And all the money out of this [’Talk Tuah’ podcast] episode is getting donated to all the animals that have been affected by the fires up here [in Los Angeles].”