A planned television appearance turned into a real-life drama when comedian Brittney Rae Carrera discovered her role in the new Hulu series Chad Powers had been given to someone else. During the show’s premiere, she found out that viral internet sensation Haliey Welch, famously known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” was in the scene she had filmed.
The situation was captured in a viral video showing Carrera’s shocked reaction. However, the two women have since connected privately and resolved any potential issues between them.
The Shocking Discovery
The unexpected recasting came to light on September 30, during a watch party that Brittney Rae Carrera held for the premiere of Chad Powers. Carrera, an actress and comedian with credits in over forty projects including NBC’s Found, had filmed a scene for the show’s pilot episode.
In a video shared on social media, Carrera is seen with friends, excitedly waiting for her scene to appear. When the moment arrived, the camera showed Haliey Welch instead. Carrera’s reaction was one of pure shock, exclaiming, “They replaced me with Hawk Tuah?! That’s my sceneโฆ this is literally my scene. I filmed this.” The video quickly spread across the internet, with many viewers relating to her surprise.
The Scene That Started It All
The scene in question appears in the first episode of Chad Powers, which stars Glen Powell. In it, Powell’s character, a disgraced football player, walks into a nightclub’s VIP section and spots Haliey Welch.
He immediately recognizes her, shouting, “Oh shit! The fucking ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’ is here. ‘Hawk tuah! Spit on that thang,’” referencing the catchphrase that made her famous online. Welch’s character responds with a correction, stating, “My name’s Haliey, dickhead,” and later clarifying, “Welch! Haliey Welch is my full human name.”
While the scene now features Welch, it was originally filmed with Brittney Rae Carrera in the role. Reshoots for pilot episodes are a common practice in the television industry, though actors are typically informed of such changes beforehand.
Clearing the Air
Following the viral attention, both Haliey Welch and Brittney Rae Carrera took to social media to address the situation directly. Welch explained that she had no prior knowledge that the role had already been filmed by someone else.
“Hey guys Iโve been tagged in a lot of videos of [Carrera] saying I โreplaced herโ in Chad Powers,” Welch said on her Instagram Story. “Iโve been in contact with her and weโre cool. I wasnโt aware the role had been filled prior. It was as simple as this: I was called and asked to be in a tv series with Glen Powell and I said yes (bc duh itโs Glen Powell). I wasnโt made aware this was happening and it was in no way malicious at all. I actually love her content and think she is a funny and sweet girl.”
Carrera responded with grace and humor, showing she held no ill will toward Welch.
“I am not upset with Haliey Welch at all,” Carrera wrote on her own Instagram Story. “I hope one day she will teach me how to spit on that thang.”
The two have spoken privately since the incident and are on good terms.
A Mix of Sympathy and Skepticism
The public reaction to the recasting video was divided. While many expressed sympathy for Carrera, others were initially skeptical, wondering if the dramatic reaction was one of her comedy bits. Carrera is known for creating humorous and often exaggerated “crash out” videos for her social media followers.
However, sources close to the actress confirmed the legitimacy of her reaction. Her roommate, comedian Spencer Goldman, stated on Instagram, “Brittney does do skits but this is actually 100 percent a real thing that happened to her.” Further evidence supporting her claim included behind-the-scenes photos from the set of Chad Powers that Carrera had posted in late 2024, as well as her name previously being listed on the show’s IMDb page.
The Hawk Tuah Phenomenon
Haliey Welch became an overnight internet celebrity in June 2024 after a street interview video went viral. In it, she humorously used the onomatopoeic phrase “hawk tuah,” which quickly became a popular catchphrase. Since her sudden rise to fame, she has gained representation from The Penthouse management, started her own podcast called Talk Tuah, and announced an upcoming documentary titled DocTuah.
Her cameo in Chad Powers marks a step into scripted television, capitalizing on her viral fame much like other internet personalities who have transitioned into mainstream media.
Also Read: Chad Powers Season 1 Release Time: When and How to Watch on Hulu
