"It is MY BODY! The only opinion about my body that matters, is my own."
One thing that people may notice about Kim and Keisha McConnell is that they always seem to grin the same and finish each other's sentences. Some may even call it twin telepathy. But beyond their perfectly synced vibes, these 22-year-old beauties have something else in common: Stretch marks. But not just any stretch marks—oh no, these are exclusively reserved for their legs, like badges of honor bestowed by the gods of growth. Yes, you heard that right! the rest of their bodies are petite, while their legs are the canvas for nature's very own growth chart.
“They remind us we aren’t twelve-year-olds anymore,”
they laugh. “Not super curvy (thanks, God), but hey, these marks are badges of honor.”
When Kim and Keisha shot with Karlo Gomez for SMV, they went bare-faced—no foundation, no mascara, no contouring magic. Just pure, raw beauty.
The experience? Liberating and terrifying, like going grocery shopping in your pajamas and hoping no one you know sees you. “At first, we were nervous,” they admit. “But when we saw the raw photos, it was like... WOW. We look like us, but cooler.” Shoutout to Karlo for capturing their inner glow with just a camera and some natural light.
But don’t get it twisted. These twins love a good glam session. “Makeup for us is like art,” they explain. “When we paint our faces, it’s less about covering up and more about discovering the little things—like, ‘Oh, I have the cutest freckles!’ or ‘Wow, my eyebrows really do need some love today.’” For Kim and Keisha, makeup isn’t about society’s expectations—it’s about how they feel. If they want to go glam, they do. If they want to rock the au natural look, they do that too. “It’s simple: Do it for YOU.”
Staying healthy is a big deal for these two, but they aren’t shy about indulging their cake cravings. Vegan queens at heart, Kim and Keisha balance their love for fruits, veggies, and green smoothies with their deep, passionate love for cake. “We lovvvve cake,” they giggle, because who doesn’t? They believe in portion control and listening to their bodies—because denying yourself only leads to regrettable 2 a.m. binges (we’ve all been there).
And then there's yoga. If yoga were a person, Kim and Keisha would be sending it heart-eyed emojis every day. It’s their go-to for physical, mental, and spiritual health. Plus, they do yoga together, which, in twin speak, means "couples yoga." (Twins, they really do share everything.)
Body image struggles? Oh, they’ve been there. But Kim and Keisha have learned the hard way that comparing themselves to others is a dead-end. “We used to get frustrated when we couldn’t do intricate yoga poses or run like the wind. But then we realized—our bodies are already doing amazing things! We’ve learned to love where we’re at, even if we aren’t bending like pretzels yet.”
For them, it’s all about appreciation. “Our bodies are our own, and we’re the only ones who get to decide what we love, what we change, and what we celebrate. Seeing our bodies as works of art helped us. We’re the artists of our lives—sometimes we paint, sometimes we sculpt, sometimes we leave things just as they are.”
Some people might raise an eyebrow at women snapping photos in their underwear, but for Kim and Keisha, it’s about power and self-seduction. “We feel sexy and strong when we take those photos. It’s the same as looking in the mirror in our underwear—we’re just capturing that feeling in a snapshot.”
The twins can’t stop gushing about SundayMorningView and how the platform has uplifted them—and countless others. “SMV makes you feel supported no matter who you are or what your story is. They bring out the truth in everyone, and it’s refreshing. We’re all in this together, and SMV shows that beautifully.”
Fall in love with the person inside before worrying about the outside. Confidence can’t be outsourced—it comes from within. “If we can teach future generations of women one thing, it’s that they are their own validation. Outsourcing confidence will leave you empty. Build a foundation of self-love that no amount of likes or comments can replace.”
Want to keep up with these twins? Follow them on Instagram at @mcconnelltwins and get ready for more stretch-marked leg realness, raw photoshoots, and vegan cake vibes. Until next time, stay beautiful, stay real.
