Olivia “Livvy” Dunne had to fall in love with gymnastics all over again before she announced her decision to return to LSU for her fifth and final year of eligibility in July.
The 21-year-old gymnast — who helped bring the first NCAA Championship to LSU’s program in April — explained to The Post about the highs and lows of her gymnastics career, including negative comments from critics and what led to her decision to pursue a second straight title with the Lady Tigers.
“I really want to come back — well, first of all, we won last year,” Dunne said in an exclusive interview with The Post while promoting “The Money Game,” a six-part docuseries streaming now on Prime Video — which explores LSU’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program for athletes, including Dunne during LSU’s title run.
It was so exciting for not only our team but the whole university. And that’s a feeling that I want to feel again. It was so special in the bond with the girls.
“I’ve really found the love, my love for the sport again last year, I’d say. So that’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to come back.”
Dunne said that there “definitely” were times when her love for the sport wavered, including her role as an alternate last season when she also dealt with injuries.
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Olivia “Livvy” Dunne had to fall in love with gymnastics all over again before she announced her decision to return to LSU for her fifth and final year of eligibility in July.
The 21-year-old gymnast — who helped bring the first NCAA Championship to LSU’s program in April — explained to The Post about the highs and lows of her gymnastics career, including negative comments from critics and what led to her decision to pursue a second straight title with the Lady Tigers.
“I really want to come back — well, first of all, we won last year,” Dunne said in an exclusive interview with The Post while promoting “The Money Game,” a six-part docuseries streaming now on Prime Video — which explores LSU’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program for athletes, including Dunne during LSU’s title run.
“It was so exciting for not only our team but the whole university. And that’s a feeling that I want to feel again. It was so special in the bond with the girls.
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“I’ve really found the love, my love for the sport again last year, I’d say. So that’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to come back.”
Olivia Dunne during the 2023 NCAA National Collegiate Women’s Gymnastics Championships Final at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on April 15, 2023.
Livvy Dunne poses with the championship trophy after the LSU Tigers won the national championship. on April 20, 2024.
Instagram/Livvy Dunne
Dunne said that there “definitely” were times when her love for the sport wavered, including her role as an alternate last season when she also dealt with injuring.
“I think [being in that] position is super hard because there’s a bunch of people telling you that you’re not important or you’re not really part of the team when you are,” she said, referring to negative comments from critics, including some who’ve questioned if she’s a real gymnast. “There’s more people that aren’t doing things than are. It’s hard, but the sport is competitive and being on a team is a healthy competition every day to push each other to be better.
“And there definitely were times where my love for the sport lowered. I mean, my sophomore and junior year was quite hard to balance. And with school and athletics, it was just a hard balance and there was nobody I could follow in their footsteps because nobody’s ever done it before. So I kind of just had to carve my own path and find out what works for me.”
Dunne stopped by The Post Studios in New York. along with LSU guard, Flau’Jae Johnson, who is also featured in the docuseries, on Tuesday.
In it, the Sports Illustrated model discusses how she accepted a role as an alternate during most of her senior year.
“You’re happy for everyone else, but it stings for a minute,” the Dunne said in the show when she was left out of the lineup for a meet against Arkansas last season.
“I am the alternate most of the time and I’ve kind of accepted that role because everyone works equally as hard in the gym. You’re surrounded by so many amazing athletes and either rise up or step out,” she said.
Dunne wound up replacing KJ Johnson during that meet and helped the Tigers beat the Razorbacks — all while her boyfriend, Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, was smiling while watching in the stands.
LSU gymnastics coach Jay Clark praised Dunne for her leadership and reliability at any position.
“I know sometimes people think ‘Well she doesn’t do as much as her level of fame might indicate,’ but I bristle with that a little bit. Because she played a tremendous role and had been a great asset from a gymnastics perspective,” Clark said.
“She is one of the people that can be relied on to go in [at any position]. To be in the role that she is in says that she is one of the best.”
Olivia “Livvy” Dunne, a star gymnast for LSU, has faced many highs and lows throughout her athletic career, including injuries and criticism, but she has rediscovered her passion for gymnastics. In July 2024, she announced her decision to return to LSU for her fifth and final year of eligibility. At 21 years old, Dunne is already a remarkable athlete, having helped LSU win its first-ever NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship in April 2024. This triumph was a pivotal moment for both the university and the gymnastics program, and it greatly influenced Dunne’s decision to continue competing with the Lady Tigers for another season.
Dunne’s journey back to her love for gymnastics was not an easy one. In an exclusive interview with The Post, Dunne shared the emotional rollercoaster of her career and the factors that reignited her passion for the sport. Injuries and a reduced role as an alternate during her senior year initially tested her commitment, but in the end, she realized her deep connection to the sport and her team.
“I really want to come back — well, first of all, we won last year,” Dunne explained. “It was so exciting for not only our team but the whole university. And that’s a feeling that I want to feel again. It was so special in the bond with the girls.” Dunne’s description of the bond she shares with her teammates illustrates her dedication to not only the sport but also the camaraderie of collegiate gymnastics.
Reflecting on her rollercoaster of emotions, Dunne admitted there were times when her love for gymnastics faded. She struggled with negative comments from critics who questioned her abilities, her injuries, and the balancing act of being both a full-time student and athlete. “There definitely were times where my love for the sport lowered,” she confessed. The challenges she faced were amplified by the pressure of being one of the most recognizable athletes in the NCAA due to her prominent social media presence and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, including partnerships with major brands. Despite her fame, Dunne was criticized by some who doubted her contributions to the team, especially since she spent a significant portion of last season as an alternate rather than a starter.
But these struggles only deepened her resolve. In a candid moment during her interview, Dunne spoke about the difficulties of being an alternate and the toll that role can take on an athlete’s mindset. “I think [being in that] position is super hard because there’s a bunch of people telling you that you’re not important or you’re not really part of the team when you are,” Dunne said, addressing the external criticism she has faced. “There’s more people that aren’t doing things than are. It’s hard, but the sport is competitive, and being on a team is a healthy competition every day to push each other to be better.”
She recounted the difficult moments when her passion for gymnastics was tested, particularly during her sophomore and junior years, when balancing academics and athletics felt overwhelming. As a pioneer in the world of NIL deals, Dunne had no role models to follow. “It was just a hard balance, and there was nobody I could follow in their footsteps because nobody’s ever done it before. So I kind of just had to carve my own path and find out what works for me,” she explained.
Dunne’s leadership and commitment have not gone unnoticed by LSU gymnastics coach Jay Clark, who praised her contributions to the team. Clark acknowledged that some may question her role, given her level of fame, but he staunchly defended her work ethic and athleticism. “I know sometimes people think, ‘Well, she doesn’t do as much as her level of fame might indicate,’ but I bristle with that a little bit,” Clark said. “Because she played a tremendous role and had been a great asset from a gymnastics perspective.”
Her resilience shone through in critical moments. Dunne recalled the pride she felt when, despite her role as an alternate, she replaced her teammate KJ Johnson during a meet against Arkansas last season. Her performance helped the Tigers secure victory in that meet. Dunne’s personal life also gained attention during that event, as her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was spotted supporting her from the stands.
Now, as Dunne prepares for her final year at LSU, her mindset is focused on savoring every moment and building on the success she and her team have already achieved. Her goal is clear: to bring another championship to LSU. “I’ve really found the love, my love for the sport again last year, I’d say. So that’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to come back,” Dunne said. She’s eager to experience once more the excitement of competition and the unique bond with her teammates, which made last season so special.
This rekindled passion has also allowed her to reflect on her broader influence, particularly through LSU’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program. As a featured athlete in the docuseries “The Money Game,” streaming on Prime Video, Dunne has become an example of how athletes can navigate the opportunities and challenges of NIL deals while remaining committed to their sport. The series highlights the impact of NIL on collegiate athletes at LSU, including Dunne and LSU basketball star Flau’Jae Johnson, who is also featured in the docuseries.
Dunne’s success, both in gymnastics and as a social media influencer, has made her one of the most marketable athletes in the NCAA, reportedly earning millions through her endorsements. But beyond the fame and financial success, Dunne remains focused on what truly matters to her: the sport she loves and her teammates. As she prepares for her final season at LSU, her eyes are set on the future — both in gymnastics and beyond — but her immediate goal remains clear: pursuing a second straight national championship with her teammates.
Livvy Dunne’s story is one of resilience, passion, and leadership, serving as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, love for the sport and the bonds of teamwork can reignite a powerful drive to succeed.
