It’s one thing to catch attention for your talent, but it’s quite another to go viral for fake-kissing your gay twin brother in a cheeky nod to The White Lotus‘ most controversial plot twist.
But if anyone can pull it off with charm and cheekiness, it’s Cooper and Payton Koch.
In a now-deleted Instagram story posted by their younger brother Walker, the twins were seen under a map of Thailand — the setting for The White Lotus season 3 — with Cooper leaning in close to Payton in a mock-romantic moment, dripping with parody.
By tagging @thewhitelotus, the duo made it clear this was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the show’s jaw-dropping incestuous threesome scene featuring the fictional Ratliff brothers, portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola.
That original White Lotus moment sent the internet into a frenzy. Reactions ranged from disbelief to dark humour, with some users interpreting the storyline as satire on conservative values. One remarked that the “incest thing” was included to show “how a homophobic Republican is made.” Earlier, when the on-screen brothers shared a kiss, viewers quickly noted that The White Lotus has always leaned into dark comedy, satirising the rich and privileged.
What gives the Koch twins’ parody even more edge is Cooper’s recent role in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story — a series that sparked controversy for its alleged suggestion of incestuous tension between the infamous real-life brothers. While the show never confirmed such a dynamic, speculation was rife.
Fueling the intrigue, both Cooper and Payton are openly gay, devastatingly attractive, and come from Hollywood stock — their grandfather Hawk Koch is a former Academy president. While Cooper is carving out a name as a rising actor, Payton is gaining critical acclaim as an Emmy-nominated editor.
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Together, they’re self-aware, stylish, and clearly enjoying the moment.
At a time when sibling relationships on-screen are pushing boundaries, the Koch twins’ parody lands more like clever commentary than cheap shock value. And honestly? We’re here for it.
