Olivia Dunne, often affectionately known as Livvy Dunne, has become a household name in the world of gymnastics, social media, and influencer culture. As an American influencer, former artistic gymnast, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, her journey from a young girl in a sparkly pink leotard to a multi-millionaire NCAA champion is nothing short of inspiring. Born on October 1, 2002, in Westwood, New Jersey, the 22-year-old LSU gymnastics alum has amassed over 10 million followers across social media platforms, making her one of the most influential figures in college sports. With her recent appearance on the 2025 SI Swimsuit cover alongside icons like Salma Hayek and fellow gymnast Jordan Chiles, Livvy continues to break barriers.
In this in-depth blog, we'll explore Olivia Dunne's biography, her remarkable gymnastics career, her rise to fame, personal life, and more. Whether you're a fan searching for "Olivia Dunne gymnastics highlights" or curious about "Livvy Dunne NIL deals," this post covers it all. From her early days at ENA Paramus to her retirement on April 17, 2025, after helping LSU win its first national championship, Livvy's story is one of talent, resilience, and savvy branding.
Early Life: A Passion Ignited by a Sparkly Leotard
Olivia Paige Dunne was born on October 1, 2002, in Westwood, New Jersey, to parents David and Katherine Dunne. Growing up in Hillsdale, New Jersey, she was the younger of two sisters, with her older sibling Julianna (Julz) playing softball and later becoming a key part of Livvy's social media team. David, a former Division 1 football player at Rutgers University, and Katherine, who studied business and education there, met in college and married on May 28, 2000. Their supportive family environment played a crucial role in nurturing Livvy's talents.
Livvy's gymnastics journey began at just three years old, sparked by a simple desire for a "sparkly pink leotard." As she shared on her official website, "Hi, my name is Olivia, but my friends call me Livvy. I started gymnastics when I was three years old because I wanted a sparkly pink leotard. But, little did I know what an exciting future was ahead of me." By age five, she tried out for the pre-team at ENA Gymnastics in Paramus, New Jersey, under coaches like Craig Zappa, Garrett Griffeth, Courtney McCool-Griffeth, and Ashleigh Gnat.
Homeschooled from age 14 using the Abeka Academy curriculum to focus on training, Livvy balanced rigorous practice with academics. She attended high school through Abeka Academy and later majored in interdisciplinary studies at Louisiana State University (LSU). Her early progression was meteoric: winning Level 4 State Championships, beating the state all-around record, and advancing from Level 5 to Level 8 in one year. At nine, she competed in Level 9 regionals, and by ten, she reached Level 10 and the National Invitational Tournament (NIT).
Livvy's family chose LSU for her because of the coaches, team, facilities, and school spirit. In the spring of 2017, she accepted a full athletic scholarship to LSU for 2020, and in fall 2019, she signed her National Letter of Intent. This decision marked a shift from elite gymnastics dreams to collegiate success, influenced by injuries and a desire for balance.
Gymnastics Career: From Junior Elite to NCAA Champion
Livvy Dunne's gymnastics career is a testament to her skill and determination. Standing at 5'6" and competing as an all-around gymnast, she excelled in uneven bars and floor exercise. Her club career at ENA Paramus included qualifying for the 2020 Nastia Liukin Cup, competing at the 2016 and 2017 P&G Championships, and earning top-10 finishes in floor and beam. She was the youngest athlete in the U.S. to qualify as a Junior International Elite in 2014.
Elite and International Achievements
Livvy made her elite debut at the 2014 American Classic, finishing 28th all-around. In 2015, she qualified for the National Championships after placing eighth at the American Classic and 24th at the U.S. Classic. At nationals, she placed 25th all-around. The following year, she improved, finishing 12th all-around at nationals, eighth on beam, and sixth on floor.
In 2016, Livvy won first on floor at the Bresteyn’s Elite Qualifier in Las Vegas and first on beam at the KPAC Elite Qualifier. She qualified for P&G Championships at the Secret U.S. Classic and earned medals on floor and beam at nationals. Attending National Team Camps at the USA Olympic Training Center, she was selected for the 2017 City of Jesolo Trophy in Italy, where the U.S. junior team won gold all-around, and she placed sixth individually.
Livvy joined the U.S. Junior National Team in 2017, finishing fifth all-around at the U.S. Classic and ninth at nationals. As a senior in 2018, she placed 15th at the City of Jesolo Trophy and 18th at nationals after an ankle injury limited her to uneven bars at the U.S. Classic. Injuries sidelined her in 2019, leading her to drop to Level 10 and qualify for the 2020 Nastia Liukin Cup (11th place).
LSU Tigers Tenure (2021–2025)
Joining the LSU Tigers in 2021 as a freshman, Livvy earned WCGA All-American honors on uneven bars with a season average of 9.844. She scored a career-high 9.925 at Auburn and 9.90 at nationals. Academically, she made the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll and WCGA Academic All-American list.
As a sophomore in 2022, she competed on bars and floor, matching her bars high of 9.925 against Centenary and setting a floor high of 9.900 against Alabama. Averages: 9.786 on bars, 9.854 on floor. She earned the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Her junior year (2023) was limited to four meets due to injuries, with a season-high 9.850 on bars at SEC Championships and an average of 9.788. She made the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll.
In her senior season (2024), Livvy appeared in nine meets on bars and floor, tying her floor high of 9.900 twice and posting 9.875 on bars. Averages: 9.857 on floor, 9.838 on bars. She received the Coaches Award, 2024 SEC Academic Honor Roll, and WCGA Academic All-American. LSU won its first national championship that year.
Livvy retired on April 17, 2025, but returned for a fifth year, announcing, "Not Dunne yet." Her career highs: Bars 9.925 (twice), Floor 9.900 (three times).
Why Is Livvy Dunne So Famous? The Rise of a Social Media Powerhouse
Livvy Dunne's fame extends far beyond the gymnastics mat, making her a top search query for "why is Livvy Dunne famous." With over 13 million combined followers on TikTok (8.1 million) and Instagram (5.4 million), plus platforms like YouTube (39.3K subscribers), Snapchat (2.2M followers), X, and her website livvydunne.com, she's the most-followed NCAA athlete.
Her fame exploded during the 2020 pandemic when she joined TikTok, initially posting gymnastics content but expanding to lifestyle videos. The NCAA's 2021 NIL rule change allowed athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness, and Livvy's 5 million followers at the time positioned her for massive deals. Signing with WME Agency (wmeagency.com) in August 2021, she partnered with Vuori, American Eagle, Bodyarmor, Nautica, Grubhub, and more. Her NIL valuation reached $4.2 million by 2025, with earnings over $500,000 per post and an estimated net worth of $9.5 million.
Media exposure amplified her stardom: SI Swimsuit features (2023 debut, 2024 return, 2025 cover), Forbes 30 Under 30, TIME100 Creators, and the Prime Video docuseries "The Money Game." In 2023, she launched The Livvy Fund to support female LSU athletes with NIL deals. Her blend of athletic talent, relatable content, and business acumen has made her a role model, though not without controversy, like fan harassment incidents requiring added security.
Personal Life: Family, Relationships, and More
Livvy's family remains her foundation. Daughter of David (civil engineer and lawyer) and Katherine Dunne, she credits them for her success. Katherine homeschooled her and manages her brand with sister Julianna, who helps with content creation.
On relationships, fans often ask, "Who did Livvy Dunne hook up with?" She's been linked to rumors, including TikTok star Josh Richards (from a playful "kiss, marry, kill" game), LSU athlete Theo Millas, and country singer Morgan Wallen (after a concert cancellation and a TikTok dance to his song)—all unconfirmed. Since 2023, she's dating MLB pitcher Paul Skenes, whom she met at LSU through mutual friends (his roommate dated her roommate). They went public after she wore his jersey at the College World Series. Paul confirmed it in August 2023, noting the challenges of fame. They've shared sweet moments, like surprise parties and travels, calling each other supportive partners.
Why Is Olivia Dunne Not in the Olympics? The Road Not Taken
Many wonder, "Why is Olivia Dunne not in the Olympics?" Livvy was on track for elite success, joining the U.S. Junior National Team in 2017 and competing internationally. However, an ankle injury at 15-16—where the bone died and fractured—changed everything. She described the elite program as "dysfunctional" and "abusive," citing intense pressure at Karolyi Ranch. Realizing it wasn't for her, she chose college gymnastics for health and happiness: "That dream has died... maybe I should just go to college and be healthy and happy."
She last competed elite in 2020, focusing on LSU. While she supported Team USA in Paris 2024 (attending events and praising Simone Biles as the GOAT on a "revenge tour"), Livvy sarcastically addressed snub rumors in a viral TikTok, highlighting her non-pursuit.
Is Livvy Dunne Religious? Faith in the Spotlight
"Is Livvy Dunne religious?" Yes, she's associated with Christianity and has publicly displayed her faith. In August 2024, she posted a viral TikTok (nearly 800,000 views) reading the Bible with highlighted sections, earning praise for her openness. Fans commented, "Love seeing your faith on display!" Her Snapchat bio and family background suggest Christian roots, though she keeps it personal amid her busy life.
Achievements, Awards, and Legacy
Livvy's accolades include:
- 2024 NCAA National Champion with LSU
- WCGA All-American (UB, 2021), Academic All-American (2021, 2024)
- SEC Academic Honor Rolls (multiple years)
- U.S. Junior National Team (2017), Jesolo Trophy gold
- Forbes 30 Under 30, TIME100 Creators
She's revolutionized NIL for women athletes, launching The Livvy Fund and earning seven figures annually.
Future Plans: Beyond the Mat
Post-retirement, Livvy aims to build her brand into a business empire, possibly in fashion or entrepreneurship. With Paul Skenes, she's navigating life in Pittsburgh while exploring media roles. Her multi-million-dollar Passes deal and SI covers hint at continued influence.
Conclusion: Livvy Dunne's Enduring Impact
Olivia Dunne's story—from a leotard-loving toddler to a gymnastics icon and influencer—is one of perseverance and innovation. With 5.4M Instagram followers, SI covers, and LSU glory, she's redefined athlete stardom. Whether answering "why is Livvy Dunne famous" or sharing her faith, Livvy inspires millions. Follow her on TikTok (@livvy), Instagram (@livvydunne), YouTube, Snapchat (@livvy_gymnast), X (@livvydunne), and livvydunne.com for more.
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