Teenage twins from California have gained popularity online for staring intensely as they show off their prized pigs in swine showmanship competitions.
Karis and Krew Dadson, both 16, made headlines for their passion in the events over the past few years, with The New York Times calling the stare “iconic” in its profile of Karis last year.
Posts featuring the pig-showing champions, who have won events in California, Arizona and throughout the U.S. Midwest, have amassed thousands of likes and a huge following on social media.
During swine contests, competitors are evaluated for their pigs’ breed and how well they control the animal. The second element is the reason for the twins’ intense stares as they gently nudge their pigs before the judges.
“Being able to hold eye contact with the judge in front of us shows that we have control over our animal ...,” Karis told ABC News in a video interview posted Monday.
The Dadson twins started caring for pigs when they were three years old, helping tend to dozens of the animals on their family’s farm. They eventually grew to love competing in livestock shows.
“We’re out there every day from sunup to sundown, early mornings and late nights, you go out there you walk pigs, wash pigs, clean pens, feed them, make sure everything is going well,” Karis added.
When an ABC News journalist asked how much they love pigs, Krew held his hands wide apart, smiling as he said “this much.”
The passion for pigs runs in the family. According to a 2025 feature in the San Luis Obispo Tribune, the twins’ mother, Karalyn Dadson, showed pigs, sheep and cattle when she was young.
Karalyn and her husband Kyle own Dadson Farms, where they raise and sell purebred show pigs in Paso Robles, Calif., according to the California-based news outlet.
Karalyn told the news publication that she encouraged her daughter to make the powerful eye contact to help win competitions.
“I just ran with it,” Karis told the newspaper. “Now I’m just used to being more intense.”
