Haliey Welch posing by beachHaliey Welch (Photo via Instagram)
Haliey Welch, better known as “Hawk Tuah Girl”, has come a long way.

The viral star turned podcast host continues to succeed in her unlikely career that no one saw coming.

The social media star is now being flooded with praise after her latest accomplishment.

Welch has been swept into the limelight once again, this time earning a highly coveted spot among TIME Magazine’s Top 100 Creators of the Year.

Since her unexpected rise to fame last June, the Tennessee native has transformed what began as a spontaneous street interview into a full-blown media career. She launched her own podcast and even helped launch a memecoin, even though it almost ended everything she had going for her.

TIME released its annual list of the 100 most influential content creators for 2025, recognising the digital figures who are transforming online entertainment.

 

Kai Cenat takes the top position, with MrBeast, Khaby Lame, Alix Earle, and Livvy Dunne following close behind.

Other notable names include Charli D’Amelio, Jay Shetty, Pokimane, Joe Rogan, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Haliey Welch, and Hasan Piker.

Social Media Sends Congratulations To Haliey Welch

Haliey Welch smilingHaliey Welch (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
“Wow!!! I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this. Every person here backs you 100 percent Hailey, we love you! Congratulations 🥂,” one person said.

“It’s weird because based on the comments, she has a bunch of angry followers yet they still follow her and I feel like if they weren’t here commenting, she would lose money, but basically they’re paying her by commenting,” a second person said of her haters.

“Making moves 🔥,” a third person added.

“Y’all needa lighten up – be mad at something that matters fr. She just out here doin’ her thang. She’s funny and seems like a decent human. Watch her on Whitney Cummings podcast on YouTube she’s real. 🫡 well except for that bitcoin thing or whatever she did. Lol ya done fuggd up with that one but we all make mistakes. Shoot,” a fourth person wrote of Haliey Welch.

“Lots of haters 😭 in the comments. Keep helping the animal shelters and doing your thing!” one final person commented.

 

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup.

Joining Lorraine Kelly on Monday’s episode of the ITV show, the TV presenter, 43, also gave an health update after having two tumours removed from jaw.

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood, in December after 10 years of marriage.

She has since made swipes at Jesse and moved on with TV director Elliot Hegarty, with the pair having been seen kissing during a recent night out.

Fearne has had a difficult few months after undergoing surgery to remove two benign tumours from her jawline, just days before her split with Jesse emerged.

She told host Lorraine: ‘It’s all very amicable and kids are doing great. I am in a very good place.’place.’

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup
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Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood , in December after 10 years of marriage (both pictured in February 2024)
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Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood , in December after 10 years of marriage (both pictured in February 2024)

Discussing her recent surgery, she added: ‘I feel very grateful to have completely recovered.

‘I feel really good. I have a lot of people reaching out who have had the same thing.’

Davina McCall, 56, announced in November she’d been diagnosed with a colloid cyst, a rare type of benign brain tumour, and has supported Fearne.

She continued: ‘Everyone needs a Davina. She’s been amazing, weird that we had the same health thing going on at the same time. She’s so calming and we speak every day. She is just the best

It comes after Fearne has seemingly made another thinly-veiled dig at her ex-husband as she gushed that she is the happiest she’s ever been in a positive update.

Speaking to Scott Mills on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, Fearne gushed that she is ‘really happy’ and is ‘springing out of bed in the morning ready for life’.

Scott, who has known Fearne for 25 years, said he has never seen her ‘more positive or happier’, prompting Fearne to agree and reply: ‘Yeah I feel great!’