Shaquille O’Neal is imparting wisdom to the “Hawk Tuah” girl, Hailey Welch, on how to handle her sudden rise to fame. According to sources with direct knowledge, Shaq and Hailey connected in Nashville last weekend, where the NBA legend shared invaluable insights.
RELATED: Who is the Hawk Tuah Girl? The Viral TikTok Meme
Shaq advised Hailey on the importance of surrounding herself with a trustworthy team, warning that people will try to exploit her newfound celebrity status.
During their conversation, Hailey revealed some of the hateful comments she has received since her viral video. Shaq encouraged her to ignore the negativity, reminding her that these critics don’t truly know her.
The encounter happened after Shaq and Hailey partied at Jon Bon Jovi’s new venue in Music City, following her onstage appearance at Zach Bryan’s show in Nashville. Impressed by her, Shaq asked his team to arrange for Hailey to join him at his DJ gig at Bon Jovi’s place.
Shaq and Hailey ended up chatting for about an hour, and their conversation left Hailey feeling like she had found a friend and mentor in Shaq.
The night wasn’t just about advice—Shaq also invited Hailey up to the DJ booth during his set, where she was met with an enthusiastic crowd. Hailey, known for her spirited personality, had a blast. 😜
Despite all the fun, there was a minor mishap: Shaq accidentally stepped on Hailey’s foot while navigating the DJ booth. Thankfully, no bones were broken, and Hailey is doing just fine.
