I'm the “Hawk Tuah Girl”. I just block out the haters

After the “Hawk Tuah” clip went viral, I literally forgot about it. And then two days later, a few of my friends sent me the link and I was like: Oh no.

But it wasn't until later that afternoon that things got crazy when it was suddenly everywhere. I was so embarrassed. In fact, I was so embarrassed that I didn't go anywhere except to work and back.

I even contacted the guys who filmed me and said: OK, you posted this one clip. Can you please stop posting the others?

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Let's just say they weren't listening to me. My grandma didn't understand until the third time she saw it, then she just laughed and walked out of the room.

I hid in my room. And my whole town, Belfast, Tennessee, protected me, saying they didn't know where I lived or something.

You know, I hadn't been on social media for six months before that night because it made me nervous.

But then I saw all these people setting up fake accounts, pretending to be me, and even talking to celebrities and media people as if it were me. So I couldn't hide anymore.

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It's been a real mind blender with all these new things, people, places in my daily life. It's a lot, but I'm doing my best.

What surprised me the most is how many people from all over the world were making memes! I realized that I was making people laugh and their memes were making me laugh for days. There are some really funny people out there.

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I can deal with the haters to a certain extent and then I just choose to tune them out. And laughter drowns out the hate. When people say I helped unite the country, that's a bit much to ask now – but laughter is powerful.

All the possibilities presented by the viral clip are new to me and I'm learning as I go, so I hope people will give me a little patience and forgiveness because I'm bound to slip up.

But I am especially happy that I can now financially support those who have supported me throughout my life and, of course, my passion for animals and my new charity, Paws Across America.

I don't want to single out the best person I've met so far because they were so warm and like little mentors. I learned something from all of them.

Zach Bryan and his team were so cool. I really liked Brianna LaPaglia, she made me feel good. Shaq gave me the best advice on mental health issues. Whitney Cummings took me in and helps me so much.

Even Bill Maher helped me understand what was happening while giving me history lessons that made my head hurt. I think he's proud that I took his advice and started the podcast. And my Jewish uncle Howie Mandel – he's a real hoot!

The best advice I can give to anyone in a similar situation to me is to protect yourself, keep your friends close, get some smart people on the team that you trust, and have as much fun as you can.

Nobody can prepare you for this, so buckle up. And don't take a knife to the airport, you won't be allowed to fly with it.

We now have the Talk Tuah podcast and that is going to be fun and I am very proud of it. More announcements will be coming soon when we are ready to discuss them, but in the meantime, help us with the dogs at Paws Across America.

I made money. Let's just say I don't have to eat at Taco Bell anymore. But I still do. I live day to day and have a great time. But being away from home for long periods of time sucks. Grandma misses me.

I just want to use this experience to do good and make Belfast, Tennessee proud.

Hailey Welch is the viral “Hawk Tuah Girl.” She founded the animal rights organization Paws across America and moderates the podcast “Speak Tuah”.

All views expressed are those of the author.

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