Olivia “Livvy” Dunne has transformed from a prodigious gymnast into one of the most visible and commercially successful athlete-creators of the NIL era, parlaying her collegiate career at LSU into a wide-reaching brand spanning social media, fashion, partnerships, and on-screen opportunities. As of mid-2025, she has formally retired from competitive gymnastics, is expanding into modeling and entertainment, and continues to shape conversations about women’s sports, creator entrepreneurship, and athlete branding.
This in-depth profile covers Dunne’s journey, key milestones, NIL impact, current projects, and answers top questions people have been asking about her across Google and YouTube spanning her gymnastics career, retirement, relationship with MLB pitcher Paul Skenes, injuries, brand deals, and what’s next.
Early Life, Training, and Gymnastics Rise
Dunne grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey, and was homeschooled during her teen years to accommodate elite-level training, progressing rapidly through U.S. gymnastics ranks to compete with Team USA in 2017. Her early promise was matched by a growing social media presence well before NIL where she cultivated an audience that would later become central to her collegiate era platform. By the time Dunne arrived at LSU, she was already a high-profile recruit with a substantial online following, uniquely positioned to bridge NCAA competition with creator-driven brand partnerships as NIL rules changed in 2021.
NIL Era Catalyst: How Dunne Rewrote the Playbook
The summer 2021 shift that allowed college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness coincided with Dunne’s rise at LSU, where she quickly became one of the most lucrative and visible NIL athletes in the country. Dunne secured deals with major brands across apparel, beauty, and lifestyle, including American Eagle, L’Oréal, and Vuori, and was valued at over $4.1 million in NIL deals by On3 during her final collegiate season placing her at the pinnacle among female college athletes and in the top tier of all athletes overall.
Her social reach of 5.4 million on Instagram and roughly 8 million on TikTok as cited in mid-2025 coverage has made her a benchmark for athlete-creators leveraging multi-platform storytelling and community engagement. LSU’s 2024 national title run took place amid sellouts and unmatched attention for the program, a phenomenon many observers connect with Dunne’s influence and the visibility she brought to women’s gymnastics.
LSU Career Highlights and Championship Moment
While Dunne faced intense competition for lineups on a stacked LSU roster and dealt with injuries, she remained considered a strong contributor to the team environment embracing roles beyond the competition floor and amplifying the sport’s popularity through her platform. LSU captured the NCAA national championship in 2024; Dunne returned for an additional season in 2025 but was limited after suffering an avulsion fracture of the patella, competing in only the opening four meets before being sidelined.
Coaches and coverage emphasized her leadership and buy-in on a deep team, highlighting a John Wooden-inspired program mantra: “Happiness begins where selfishness ends,” a line echoed by LSU’s staff to describe how visible players like Dunne could still be central to success even when not competing every week.
Injuries and the Decision to Retire
In March 2025, Dunne publicly shared that an injury would force her to miss senior night; weeks later, after LSU’s season, she announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics and began laying out plans for her post-gymnastics career. She also discussed a pivotal teenage injury osteochondritis dissecans that derailed her Olympic ambitions, explaining that a portion of her ankle bone died due to lack of blood flow following the 2018 USA Championships, fundamentally changing her athletic trajectory. Despite the set-backs, she finished her collegiate career with a national title, a substantial portfolio of partnerships, and a lasting impact on NIL.
Brand Building, Modeling, and Media Momentum
Post-retirement in April 2025, Dunne has focused on brand partnerships, content, acting prospects, and a planned move to New York City, reflecting a broader media strategy beyond the gym. She appeared at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit launch festivities, has been a frequent presence at major pop-culture and sports events, and in June 2025 teased that she’s open to “more performing art stuff on screen,” hinting at acting possibilities while maintaining steady NIL collaborations. Recent coverage underscores that Dunne is selectively saying “yes” to more opportunities now that gymnastics no longer structures her schedule, opening avenues in fashion, entertainment, and longer-form video content she has previously said she wants to pursue.
Relationship with Paul Skenes
Dunne’s relationship with Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes publicly since August 2023 has become a recurring topic in fan searches and media coverage. The pair have featured in playful formats, including a GQ “Couples Quiz” video, and have discussed how they manage a high-profile relationship amid demanding schedules, including a simple “rule” to keep communication and balance fair. More recently, Dunne has likened some of her approach to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s public dynamic, framing “women in sports” visibility as both powerful and, at times, “uncomfortable,” while drawing inspiration from how high-profile couples navigate scrutiny.
Social Reach and Platform Strategy
Dunne is widely recognized for mastering platform-native content across Instagram and TikTok, extending her presence to YouTube shorts and collaborations that keep her in conversation across sports and creator communities. Her approach emphasizes authenticity, humor, and crossovers whether that’s quizzing Skenes on her social presence or navigating career discussions in interviews featuring a mix of polished partnerships and casual, behind-the-scenes snippets. Her public comments highlight a deliberate strategy of declining more opportunities than she accepts, signaling a curated brand focused on longevity and relevance rather than ubiquity.
Media Highlights and Cultural Presence
Dunne’s profile has extended well beyond the gym. She was named to the 2025 TIME100 Creators list, a recognition reserved for influential creators shaping culture and the digital economy. Interviews this year have covered her injury history, career pivots, and mindset, often emphasizing resilience and careful brand stewardship while navigating high visibility in both sports and entertainment ecosystems. Her public appearances such as the 2025 Fanatics Fest in New York City frequently combine product launches, relationship candidness, and career teasers, contributing to her continuing media momentum even after stepping away from competition.
Impact on Women’s Sports and the NIL Landscape
Dunne’s visibility has had concrete effects: increased attendance, heightened media coverage, and an expanded conversation about the commercial potential of women’s college sports. LSU’s ability to play in front of sold-out arenas in 2024 and 2025 is often cited alongside Dunne’s presence, which helped funnel mainstream and casual sports fans toward gymnastics. Her example has emboldened athletes across disciplines to develop their own creator-led strategies, leveraging NIL for life beyond college competition.
Personal Voice and Public Narrative
Dunne blends professionalism with self-awareness, often noting that she’s turned down more opportunities than she’s accepted, to keep her brand focused and sustainable. Public remarks suggest a desire to balance ambition with authenticity, taking on modeling, acting, or hosting when it aligns with her interests and schedule, rather than merely pursuing volume. She also frequently emphasizes continuing support for women’s sports, indicating a desire to use her platform for advocacy and visibility in the space that launched her career.
Recent Headlines and Milestones (2025)
Retirement from competitive gymnastics after LSU’s season, with a focus on brand building and creative opportunities. Inclusion in the 2025 TIME100 Creators list, highlighting her role in reshaping athlete monetization and creator culture. Public relationship updates and couples content with Paul Skenes; discussions of balance and boundaries amid dual high-profile careers. Commentary on navigating visibility in women’s sports, referencing cultural touchstones like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce as guideposts for handling attention. Ongoing social media growth and personal announcements including partnership and modeling updates shared directly with her audience.
Key Takeaways
Dunne is a defining figure of the NIL era, combining elite athletics with creator-savvy brand building and audience development across platforms. Despite injuries curtailing parts of her collegiate competition, she helped drive unprecedented attention to LSU gymnastics, culminating in a 2024 national championship season. As of mid-2025, she is retired from competition and concentrating on media, modeling, and potential on-screen projects, with New York as a likely hub.
Her relationship with Paul Skenes remains a fixture in public interest and content, utilized thoughtfully without overwhelming her independent brand narrative. Dunne’s broader legacy may lie in demonstrating how women athletes can command significant cultural and commercial clout on their own terms within and beyond collegiate sports.
FAQs
What was her gymnastics career like?
Dunne began gymnastics training in 2005 and quickly climbed the ranks, making her elite debut in 2014 and securing a spot on the US Junior National Team in 2017 . She competed for the LSU Tigers from 2021 to 2025, helping the team win the 2024 NCAA national championship, before announcing her retirement in April 2025.
How did she become famous on social media?
Dunne started posting gymnastics content on TikTok in 2020, gradually diversifying into lifestyle and trending videos. By early 2023, she became the most-followed NCAA athlete, boasting millions of followers across TikTok and Instagram.
Has she appeared in documentaries or TV?
Yes Dunne was featured in the Amazon Prime Video docuseries “The Money Game LSU” (premiered September 2024), which followed her and other student-athletes navigating the new world of NIL deals. The series was even nominated for a Sports Emmy.
Is she dating anyone publicly?
Yes, Dunne is in a high-profile relationship with Paul Skenes, pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They met at LSU, and she has drawn inspiration from Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce for navigating public relationships and scrutiny.
What are her guiding principles and outlook?
In interviews, Dunne emphasizes resilience, authenticity, and self-authorship, often citing Taylor Swift’s model for maintaining assertive control of her image and life. She remains committed to leveraging her influence for positive guidance, especially for women in sports and social media
In Summary
Livvy Dunne’s journey from a young gymnast to a household name in sports, media, and modeling is nothing short of remarkable. She not only made her mark on the gymnastics floor with LSU and as a U.S. National Team member but also redefined what it means to be a modern athlete by mastering the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era. With millions of followers across social platforms, lucrative brand partnerships, and a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover under her belt, Dunne has evolved into one of the most influential Gen Z figures in sports and pop culture.
Her transition beyond gymnastics into media, endorsements, and advocacy for female athletes proves her vision extends far beyond competition. Whether it’s through her NIL success, modeling ventures, or inspiring young athletes to embrace their power, Livvy continues to be a trailblazer. As she builds her post-gymnastics career, her impact will likely keep growing cementing her legacy not just as an athlete, but as a cultural icon.
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