Is Hailey Welch dating Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold? Speculation has been swirling for weeks, and now the ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’—known for her popular NSFW podcast—has hinted that she’s ready to reveal her mystery boyfriend on the upcoming Tuesday episode of her show.
The buzz around Welch’s relationship status reached new heights after a teaser for the ‘Talk Tuah’ podcast was shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The promo featured a handful of potential suitors, including comedian Matt Rife, country music star Morgan Wallen, and a few others. However, fans of Welch’s show and those who have been keeping up with social media gossip quickly zeroed in on Sam Darnold as the most likely candidate.
Darnold, who is currently enjoying a career resurgence with the 7-2 Minnesota Vikings, has been at the center of dating rumors involving Welch.
Last month, an account with the handle @NFCNorthNews—seemingly referencing Minnesota’s division in the NFL—claimed that Welch and Darnold were dating, only to announce a supposed split the following week. However, many questioned the credibility of the account, leaving fans with more questions than answers about the true nature of Welch and Darnold’s relationship.
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For now, the public knows that Welch, 22, has a boyfriend whom she affectionately refers to as ‘Pookie.’ During a previous appearance on another podcast with Jake Paul, Welch offered a few clues about her mystery man, describing Pookie as having ‘black hair and the longest eyelashes you’ve ever seen.’
This description doesn’t quite match Darnold, who is known for his red hair, which has led some to believe that Welch may be trying to throw her followers off track, keeping the true identity of Pookie under wraps.
When asked on a previous podcast how long she had been with Pookie, Welch struggled to provide a definitive answer, explaining that their relationship has been somewhat complicated. Ultimately, she and her co-host estimated that they had been together for somewhere between one and three years, though Welch emphasized that they haven’t put any formal label on their romance. This ambiguity has only fueled further speculation, as fans try to piece together clues about her secret relationship.
Adding to the mystery, Welch was also rumored to have gone on a date with Summer House’s West Wilson, a star of the Bravo reality show, back in August. However, it appears that nothing serious developed from that outing, leaving the focus squarely on the potential relationship with Darnold.
Welch first introduced Pookie to her audience in the viral video that catapulted her to fame, where she looked directly into the camera and confessed, “I love you Pookie.” Since then, the identity of Pookie has remained one of the internet’s most debated mysteries, with fans eagerly analyzing every clue that Welch drops.
Complicating matters, Sam Darnold has been linked to other women in recent months, which has cast doubt on the idea that he and Welch are an item. Despite this, the speculation has persisted, largely due to Welch’s teasing hints and Darnold’s impressive performance on the field, which has put him back in the spotlight.
The quarterback’s recent success with the Vikings has made him a prominent figure in the NFL again, and the rumors about his romantic life have only added to the intrigue.
Welch’s fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out more, as she has promised a big reveal on Tuesday’s episode of ‘Talk Tuah.’ Whether or not she’s ready to disclose the true identity of her mystery man, her audience is clearly eager for answers.
Is Pookie really Sam Darnold, or is Welch keeping everyone guessing for the sake of suspense?
For now, it seems that Welch enjoys keeping her followers on the edge of their seats, using her platform to create suspense and maintain a level of mystery around her personal life.
As her listeners await her next podcast, one thing is clear—whether or not Welch and Darnold are together, the guessing game has only served to boost the popularity of her show and her persona as the enigmatic ‘Hawk Tuah Girl.’
