Haliey Welch continued to benefit from her recent rise to stardom this week by making a guest appearance with the New York Mets. The viral internet star threw out the first pitch before a matchup against the A’s.
That appearance was met with much criticism as Mets fans blasted the online sensation on social media.
Welch received major backlash after clips of her first pitch were posted to the MLB’s official outlets. There weren’t many happy to see her partnership with the organization, believing that promotion to send the wrong message to viewers.
Welch, of course, went viral earlier this year for her “Hawk Tuah” reference during a late-night street interview in Nashville. Since, she’s become a piece of mainstream pop culture.
After seeing the online attacks, the internet star responded. She was there for a good cause, which might force some her critics to change their previous opinion.
Haliey Welch responded to her critics with a post on social media.
The true reasoning behind her first pitch appearance in New York was to support America’s vet dogs.
Here’s what she had to say on X this Friday about the online hate being received.
So I guess some of the baseball community wasn’t too happy to see me yesterday.
The main reason I went to the game was to spread awareness and donate to America’s vet dogs which pairs dogs with war veterans for a forever home.
Join me in donating to this amazing charity. I miss ya already Buddy.
-Haliey Welch / X: @HalieyWelchX
She was in attendance to support America’s war veterans and pups. What’s not to like about that!?
Despite the commendable cause being promoted by Welch and her team, she will undoubtedly continue to receive personal attacks while navigating her rise to fame.
Judging by this response, she’s not letting it hold her down!