Shaquille O’Neal pictured partying with the ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’

For those unfamiliar, Haliey Welch became an internet phenomenon following a viral video where she was asked: “What’s one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?”

Her reply: “You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang. You get me?” turned her into a household name almost overnight.

Her meteoric rise began at the CMA Fest in Nashville, where she was approached by Tim & Dee TV for a spontaneous interview.

Haliey Welch has spoken out for the first time. Credit: Plan Bri Uncut/YouTube

“Next thing I know, there’s a microphone in my face and I was like, ‘Ooh! I’m gonna conversate with them,'” Welch recalled while speaking to Brianna LaPaglia on the Plan Bri Uncut podcast.

Since the video swept across social media platforms, Welch has amassed a substantial following. She has made the most of her newfound fame by releasing merchandise featuring her now-iconic catchphrase.

Over the weekend, Welch made a public appearance, jumping on stage with country music star Zach Bryan during his Quittin Time tour at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

The 21-year-old was seen on stage with Bryan on Saturday night, delighting fans in attendance.

Over the weekend, the internet sensation was spotted in Nashville with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, where she playfully spit on one of his microphones during a DJ set.

O’Neal, who also performs as a DJ, was in Nashville on Sunday for a performance at Jon Bon Jovi’s new JBJ’s Nashville venue.

At some point during the evening, he met up with Welch.

As reported by TMZ, the two chatted at the eatery, posed for photos, and later, Welch joined Shaq in his DJ booth.

She danced energetically as Shaq spun tracks, but it was her turn on the mic that stole the show.

Welch performed her signature move, delighting the crowd with a big “hawk tuah.”

Credit: Plan Bri Uncut/YouTube

Elsewhere in the interview with Lapaglia, Welch dispelled myths about her background, confirming she was not a pre-school teacher but worked in a spring factory. “I’m not even old enough to be a teacher,” she added, laughing off another rumor about being a bartender.

Welch also set the record straight about her family’s reaction, dismissing claims of a religious backlash.

“They think it’s so funny… they never know what’s gonna come out of my mouth,” she said, clarifying that her father is not a preacher.

Looking ahead, Welch expressed her desire to avoid being solely defined by her viral moment. “I don’t really want that to be my image… I mean, ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’? […] I don’t want to be known as that,” she said.

She plans to leverage her newfound fame for travel, show appearances, and more podcast interviews, promising fans: “There’s more to come, don’t worry.”