Conjoined twin and her husband balance intimacy with her sister’s boundaries, but she does not care

YouTube stars Carmen and Lupita opened up to fans who have had endless questions about how they navigate Carmen’s marriage as conjoined twins.

In 2024, Carmen Andrade wed Daniel McCormack in an intimate ceremony. The two reportedly exchanged vows at Lover’s Leap Bridge in New Milford, Connecticut, in the presence of close family. They later updated their 250K-plus subscribers on YouTube, where Daniel joked that he had finally been upgraded from boyfriend to husband. Lupita, notably, also gave a non-update — that she is not married. As one might imagine, speculation quickly followed about Carmen and Daniel’s intimate life.

The Andrade twins’ presence on YouTube has gone a long way in helping people who have never met conjoined twins better understand how they live their lives. Carmen and Lupita, specifically, have not always received the best prognoses from doctors. Many times, they’ve lived past life expectancies set by medical professionals.

People reports that Carmen and Lupita share a few ribs and vital systems such as reproductive and digestive organs — but they do not share a heart. Which seems apt in this situation, because when Lupita was asked about people who dehumanize her by imagining love stories between her and Daniel, she simply responded, “I love him as a brother. That’s about it.” Recently, Carmen shared a carousel of photos on Instagram of the three celebrating Daniel’s birthday.

Carmen and Lupita are, of course, not the first famous conjoined twins in pop culture. Before them, there were the late Lori and George Schappell, who broke barriers for a previously little-known community in America. But coming up in a less — let’s say — disciplined culture meant they were shuttled onto shows like Ripley’s Believe It or Not and The Jerry Springer Show, with all the usual dramatic tactics that came with them.

Carmen and Lupita, fortunately, have been able to shape their own narratives — not just through YouTube but also by choosing which brands to work with. They still maintain full-time jobs because they refuse to accept sponsorships from brands they don’t personally use. They also rarely sit for interviews, and when they do, they establish clear boundaries to protect their emotional wellbeing.

This time, Carmen finally felt comfortable answering those questions about how the three navigate their relationship. She explained that they simply communicate. If Lupita is not comfortable with something — cuddling, for example — they stop. Lupita added that when she has her headphones on and her phone with her, she barely notices nor cares.

Carmen admitted she’s generally not very affectionate, saying, “All we do is joke around a lot of the time.” What she does feel guilty about, however, is how much time she spends with Daniel. They’re currently working on finding balance. Daniel, on the other hand, seemed more frustrated with the constant questions. He said, “People are obsessed with sex, you know? And it’s just like, frankly, it’s none of your f—— business.”

What Carmen and Lupita seem to want most is simply to be seen as human. It’s a continuation of what Lori and George Schappell advocated for in a much harsher cultural climate. George, specifically, underwent a gender transition at a time when society knew little about it. But perhaps for the trans community — which has gone from being ridiculed to being demonized — another cultural evolution may be due

That being said, the three appear happy — so maybe we should all listen to Daniel.