'Hawk Tuah Girl' star Hailey Welch opens up about her bad reputation in her first interview

Hailey Welch, known as “Hawk Tuah Girl” after her X-rated clip of a Nashville interview propelled her to viral fame, has given her first interview since the infamous clip.

Speaking to Barstool Sports' Brianna LaPaglia on the “Plan Bri Uncut” podcast on Monday, Welch, 21, tried to dispel some of the internet rumor mill's claims about her — she's not a teacher; her father is “far from being a preacher.”

She said she works at a spring factory in her small hometown in Tennessee and was getting ready for the night shift at 2 a.m. when she saw a video of herself go viral.

She said she deleted her social media accounts long before the video in which she shared her favorite bedroom technique of a Southern fried dessert.

However, she admitted that she almost went crazy when she learned of her instant internet fame.

Now she's trying to parlay the informal onomatopoeia into serious money.

She has already sold tens of thousands of branded merchandise, and now has a full management team and video team following her every move.

LaPaglia is dating country star Zach Bryan, who Welch pulls on stage At her show in Nashville on Saturday. She appeared on the podcast wearing the same outfit — Daisy Dukes, white boots, white tank top and oversized cowboy hat — that she wore during her appearance on the show.

Welch recalled the moments before the night her life would change forever.

While strolling the streets of Nashville with her friends after the CMA Fest music festival, she told LaPaglia, “Next thing I know there's a microphone in my face.”

Welch credited her open personality for her evocative response to the usually private subject.

“I could talk to a brick wall if you really let me,” she laughed.

She said she didn't think about the YouTuber's interview on the street at the time, and never expected to see it again.

“Sure, I saw it again,” she said.