Olivia Dunne, the talented LSU gymnast and social media star, recently received a heartfelt compliment from her mother, Katherine Dunne, after Olivia successfully graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) on Thursday. Olivia earned her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies, completing her academic journey at LSU after enrolling in 2020. Katherine shared her pride for Olivia on social media with a simple but touching caption: “Proud of You.”
In addition to her academic success, Olivia has made significant contributions to LSU’s gymnastics team, helping them win their first-ever national championship last season. Olivia’s gymnastics career has been a major part of her life, and it’s clear that her parents have been incredibly supportive. Katherine and her husband homeschooled Olivia to allow her to focus on gymnastics and maximize her training time.
It was at LSU that Olivia crossed paths with Paul Skenes, a rookie pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Skenes, who transferred to LSU from the Air Force Academy in 2022 to expedite his graduation and increase his MLB draft eligibility, became a prominent figure both in college baseball and, later, in the MLB. In 2023, he helped LSU win the College World Series before making his MLB debut in May 2024. Olivia and Paul have supported each other’s careers, with Olivia attending all of Paul’s home starts at PNC Park during his impressive rookie season, including his Midsummer Classic appearance as part of the NL All-Stars.
Beyond gymnastics, Olivia has found massive success in the social media world, where she has garnered over 15 million followers, making her one of the most influential athletes online. Her NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals have made her the highest-earning female student-athlete in the U.S., with her NIL valuation currently standing at an impressive $4.2 million according to On3.
In an interview with the Daily Advertiser in 2021, Katherine Dunne shed light on Olivia’s social media success. She explained that Olivia started using TikTok initially for gymnastics and fun, dynamic content. During the pandemic, when Olivia couldn’t train as much, she turned to social media and treated it like a job, creating content schedules and analyzing performance metrics. This disciplined approach has played a significant role in Olivia’s rise as a social media mogul.
Olivia Dunne’s blend of gymnastics success, academic achievements, and social media influence continues to make her a role model and a force to be reckoned with in both the athletic and business worlds.
