Teen’s Intense Gaze Captivates Livestock Show World
As Karis Dadson geared up to enter the swine ring one recent weekend morning, her attention locked onto a judge positioned on a thick layer of wood shavings about 30 feet away.
This focused expression, an unwavering stare, has fascinated hundreds of thousands of individuals following Karis, 14, and her family on social media platforms. Her signature look has garnered praise from fans, particularly young women, who see it as empowering, tough, and the ultimate “mean mug.” It has become a source of inspiration for those aspiring to emulate her confidence in everyday situations, from grocery shopping to dealing with neighborhood disputes.
This very stare has also sparked curiosity, prompting questions such as: Who provoked her? Does she feed wrongdoers to her pigs? Can someone decipher this intense look?
And it was this same stare that took center stage last month at the Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show, a vibrant three-day event showcasing denim attire, cowboy boots, and meticulously groomed animals – pigs, sheep, goats, and cattle – at the Paso Robles Event Center on California’s central coast. “The stare is truly iconic,” remarked Madelynn Gardner, 15, who competed against Karis and her twin brother, Krew, throughout the weekend. “It definitely has an intimidating effect.”
The Purpose Behind the Persona
The intense gaze is intentional, rooted in the nuances of livestock competitions.
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In the “swine showmanship” age-group finals, a specialty for Karis, the initial field of over 50 participants and their pigs was narrowed down to 16. Showmanship events place significant emphasis on the handlers, or exhibitors, evaluating them as rigorously as the animals themselves. Judges issue commands and assess performance based on several criteria, including the exhibitor’s pig presentation, the pig’s responsiveness to direction, and the animal’s pace of movement. (The ideal pace is between a brisk walk and a trot.)
Show Ring Style
Karis, standing at 5 feet tall, was dressed in a dark top with leopard-print sleeves, blue jeans, and a Navajo pearl necklace, her blonde hair neatly styled in a bun. She was partnered with Johnny Ringo, a 9-month-old, 270-pound crossbred barrow pig she had meticulously cleaned to a gleaming shine.
Using small, slender whips resembling conducting batons, Karis guided Johnny Ringo within the ring, skillfully navigating around other competitors. From the metal bleachers, friends and family observed, while Karis’s mother, Karalyn, photographed the event from outside the ring with her Canon EOS R10 camera.
“I consistently advise my children to minimize distractions,” Mrs. Dadson explained. “If judges find nothing bothersome, you increase your chances of staying in contention.”
Social Media and Show Pigs
Through social media, the Dadson family, who breed and sell pigs, has broadened the reach of livestock shows – specifically the niche world of show pigs – to a wider audience. Their videos, offering a refreshing break from online negativity and often surpassing 10 million views, present a diverse range of farm-related content: tutorials, explanations, competition highlights, and, of course, Karis’s signature stare. Karis has unexpectedly become a symbol of focus and determination for young women, though this outcome was unintentional.
According to Clay Zwilling, CEO of the National Swine Registry, over 100,000 young people participate in pig shows annually nationwide. However, the Dadson twins are unique, providing a “positive representation of the show livestock industry” to a previously unaware public, as Mr. Zwilling noted.
Navigating Newfound Fame
Karis and Krew have adapted to their newfound recognition in distinct ways. Krew expresses enjoyment of the attention, while Karis appears somewhat perplexed by it. She occasionally questions how they ended up on Will Smith’s Instagram feed, why numerous children request selfies, and whether she genuinely embodies the online persona of a powerful, contemporary figure who “serves and slays.”
“It feels strange,” she admitted. “To me, I’m just another person showing a pig.”
Sharing Farm Life
One of the often-repeated anecdotes about the Dadson twins is their supposed birth during a livestock show. The confirmed version is that Mrs. Dadson went into labor while her husband, Kyle, was showing pigs at a nearby county fair. Although she considered telling him to remain at the fair, she knew it was unlikely.
Ultimately, it all worked out. After Mrs. Dadson contacted him, he arrived at the hospital before her, she recounted. Karis was born three minutes prior to Krew and has acted as the elder sister ever since.
The Dadsons currently reside on a peaceful street in Paso Robles, sharing their property with a variety of animals: 12 show pigs, six sows, six piglets, two show sheep, four dogs, two ducks, and four barn cats employed for pest control.
“They are meant to control the mice population,” explained Mr. Dadson, 46, an agriculture instructor at nearby Atascadero High School, where Karis and Krew are freshmen.
Numerous vinyl banners from livestock shows adorn the interior walls of their backyard barn, housing several pigs. The twins have been involved in showing pigs since the age of four. One of their initial public appearances was at the California Pork Spectacular.
Mrs. Dadson, 38, had modest ambitions when she started sharing videos of her children competing. She had always enjoyed viewing showmanship content online and aimed to contribute to the community. She also felt personal pride in her children’s accomplishments. Her ideal scenario was that the posts might aid in selling some pigs.
Consequently, she was astonished when her TikTok video of Karis (staring intently, naturally) at the 2022 Arizona National Livestock Show surpassed one million views. Mrs. Dadson initially considered it a one-time occurrence. However, it recurred repeatedly.
The overwhelming reaction to the videos was perfectly summarized in a TikTok comment: “Do I watch livestock shows? No. Did I immediately recognize this diva upon seeing her? ABSOLUTELY.” This comment alone garnered more than 20,000 likes.
TikTok has become the Dadsons’ most prominent platform, with approximately 420,000 followers. However, given TikTok’s uncertain future, Mrs. Dadson is relieved that the family maintains a presence on various other platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
For clarity, the intense staring is not a mere performance. Austin Thompson, a judge at the Western Bonanza, explained that making eye contact with judges is an “unspoken rule” in showmanship. It signals exhibitor attentiveness to the judge’s signals. Projecting confidence through this gaze is also advantageous.
“I appreciate the competitors who enter the ring with that level of intensity,” Mr. Thompson stated. “It indicates heightened dedication: they are here striving for victory and achievement.”
Karis mentioned that she has practiced the stare to the point of it becoming automatic.
“I am not consciously thinking about my facial expression,” she explained. “My focus is on my movement and positioning within the ring.”
“I think it’s a bit silly,” Krew commented.
‘We Are Pork Producers’
At the Western Bonanza, Karis was a whirlwind of activity, moving rapidly between barns – as she was also showing sheep – frequently pausing to greet and hug friends.
“These are all my closest friends,” Karis shared, checking her iPhone. “I’ve already walked 9,000 steps.”
Here, she wasn’t treated as a social media celebrity. She was simply Karis, a teenager who enjoys cooking, spending time with her animals, and chatting on the phone with her friends.
At one point, her mother urged her to have lunch.
“And not just Starbucks,” Mrs. Dadson added. “You need some protein.”
Karis reappeared shortly after – with an ice cream cone. Her mother sighed.
“The line was too long!” Karis explained.
It was also lunchtime for her pigs. James Backman, a show pig breeder from Denair, California, who collaborates with families like the Dadsons, inspected the animals to determine the necessary additional feed for optimal growth before the following morning’s competitions. The scene bore some resemblance to boxers cutting weight before fights, but in reverse.
This activity served as a reminder that animals like Johnny Ringo are livestock, not pets. Historically, farmers gathered to assess which pigs were best suited for breeding. Now, competitions serve a similar fundamental purpose, although in a more structured format. Some show pigs return to breeders, while others are processed for meat consumption.
“My father used to emphasize that you are producing a product that will end up on someone’s dining table,” recalled Myrna Wicks, the Dadson twins’ maternal grandmother. “And it should be the highest quality product you can provide.”
At the Western Bonanza, this concept was reinforced when Karis ate a pulled pork sandwich from a nearby vendor. Breakfast burritos at a food truck next to the pig barn offered bacon or chorizo as options.
Nevertheless, emotional connections occasionally develop (similar to Wilbur from “Charlotte’s Web”). “There was one pig that Krew became attached to, asking, ‘Do we have to sell him?’” Mrs. Dadson mentioned. “His name was Dwayne.”
Krew understands the reality, however, and underscored this point during a recent appearance on “The Pork Podcast.” The host inquired about the Dadsons’ interactions with newcomers to livestock shows.
“Personally, the strangest question I’ve seen in the comments is, ‘Do you eat pork?’” Krew stated. “To answer that: Yes, we consume pork. We are pork producers, and we eat pork.”
While social media earnings have allowed the Dadsons to “afford more pigs,” according to Mrs. Dadson, the videos don’t generate a consistent income stream. They do receive other benefits, such as complimentary merchandise from animal feed companies like Hueber and Lindner, and from Andis, a clipper manufacturer.
Their public profile also makes the Dadsons targets for animal-welfare advocates. Mr. Dadson admitted to ceasing to read comments on their social media posts. Mrs. Dadson reviews them for content suitable for addressing misconceptions.
“It is constant,” Mrs. Dadson said. “They don’t understand how well we care for our animals. We believe we provide them with optimal living conditions throughout their lives.”
The Dadsons are frequently seen wearing baseball caps featuring the logo for All N, a hydration supplement. Their pigs apparently benefit from it.
“It enhances their skin appearance,” Mrs. Dadson noted.
‘She Commands Attention’
Fashion was not limited to the pigs in Paso Robles. The girls favored flared, boot-cut jeans by 7 for All Mankind with the brand’s signature No. 7 embroidered on the back pockets. Many boys wore jeans, button-down shirts, and quarter-zip pullovers by Cinch Clothing.
“We invest considerable effort in their outfits,” Mrs. Dadson commented, “only for them to get soiled very quickly. Pig manure is a constant issue. But we aim to keep them presentable for most of the day.”
Despite the challenges of farm life, the fashion world has taken notice. Karis recently debuted as a model in the inaugural issue of Domina Journal, a biannual art and fashion publication that describes itself as “a tribute to the artistic feminine spirit’s resilience.”
Last summer, Domina Journal staff spent several days at the Dadson family farm and at the California Mid-State Fair. Jay Barrett, Domina’s editor-in-chief and fashion director, observed that Karis stood out amidst “cowboys in oversized hats, rows of livestock, and enormous American flags.”
“She naturally commands attention,” Ms. Barrett elaborated in an email. “Industry models strive for such presence, and at just 14, she possesses it. She perfectly embodies what we sought: defining female power in an unexpected context.”
Karis found the photo shoot enjoyable. She was also amused by people who dressed as her for Halloween. (One woman even cast her husband as the pig in a supporting role.) But she realized her life had changed during a series of livestock shows in the Midwest the previous summer, where she was frequently recognized.
“It’s simply different,” Karis reflected. “It’s not something I dislike, but it’s new. I am still adjusting to it.”
‘All These Kids Are Good’
In many ways, the Dadsons appear to be unintentional advocates for the livestock lifestyle and the valuable lessons they believe it imparts to young individuals. Karis and Krew dedicate time before and after school to care for their pigs, including feeding, washing, and training them. They typically participate in one show per month.
Mr. Dadson noted that through this process, the twins have developed budgeting and time-management skills. Karis, aspiring to a career in agriculture, expressed pride in being part of her community.
“You could approach any group in the pig barn,” she said, “and they would generously share a meal with you.”
Mr. Thompson, the judge at the Western Bonanza, recalled his own childhood raising show pigs. He acknowledged that while the competitive aspect felt rewarding, each show only produced a limited number of winners.
“It teaches resilience in the face of loss more than the thrill of victory,” Mr. Thompson reflected. “You can exert maximum effort and still not win. But effort is essential to create opportunity.”
Regardless of outcome, exhibitors invariably shake hands with the judge, although disappointment can sometimes be evident in slumped postures and dejected expressions.
Mrs. Dadson shared that Karis had long admired her friend Maddy Lindley. Karis never imagined competing at Maddy’s level, and achieving that boosted her self-assurance. However, Karis’s widespread public exposure has created unrealistic expectations.
“Some people assume, ‘Oh, Karis should win every time,’” Mrs. Dadson explained. “But the reality is all these kids are highly skilled. You just don’t see videos of them.”
At the Western Bonanza, the Dadsons reached the final round in four competitions. Karis secured the showmanship title in one and achieved “reserve champion,” or runner-up, in another.
Whenever Karis exited the ring and saw her family, she shed her famous competitive facade and displayed an expression that, as a show pig exhibitor, would likely gain limited traction on social media: She smiled.