LSU gymnast Olivia “Livvy” Dunne has seen a dramatic rise in popularity in recent years, thanks in large part to social media.
She appears to have started sharing videos on TikTok around 2020, initially featuring her participating in gymnastics. Over time, Dunne's content evolved and she shared more elements of her life outside of the gym. Videos of Dunne dancing and skit-style clips appeared to increase her following on the platform.
Her popularity has made her a sought-after ambassador for a number of brands. Dunne has raked in millions in name, image and likeness (NIL) deals. In July, Dunne announced she would be returning to college for a fifth season, writing on social media that she's “not Dunne yet.”
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Olivia Dunne of the LSU Tigers before a game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on February 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
As Dunne prepares for another season of NCAA-level competition, she also has her eyes set on the future.
He pointed to his Sports Illustrated article from last year when he talked about opportunities that had the potential to boost his career once he leaves Baton Rouge.
OLIVIA DUNNE ANNOUNCES HER DECISION ON RETURNING TO LSU
“I feel like [Sports Illustrated] “It's something that can last beyond college,” Dunne told the New York Post.
“I think it's important to create a substantial brand that lasts after college. And [SI Swim] “They're one of those people that I don't even want to call an association because they're like family to me. It's been amazing.”
Dunne also mentioned that she hopes her success with NIL will inspire the next generation of female college athletes. She created the Livvy Fund, which focuses on mentoring LSU student-athletes in their pursuit of NIL deals.
Olivia Dunne of the LSU Tigers warms up at Dickies Arena on April 20, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Chris Parent/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)
“Girls don't know where to start,” Dunne said. “Because sometimes that's half the battle. And it's so important to capitalize on your NIL while you're in college if you're a woman because there aren't a lot of professional leagues after college for most women's sports.
“So, I definitely want to do something [in NIL] Overall, after I finish my studies at LSU, and I hope to expand beyond LSU and help educate people and help girls… I've always loved sports, so definitely something in the sports field.”
Olivia Dunne of the LSU Tigers before a game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on February 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Dunne is one of the athletes featured in Prime Video’s six-part docuseries “The Money Game,” which explores how LSU stars navigate the NIL era. In addition to Dunne, former LSU quarterback and current Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels, Tigers basketball star Flau’jae Johnson, WNBA star Angel Reese and others also appear in the limited series.
Dunne said the docuseries shows viewers a side of her life that is sometimes noticeably less glamorous than what she presents on social media.
“I think social media can be really glamorous and it can make your life seem really glamorous, when it's not all the time,” she said. “It was raw emotion. I think that's what viewers want to see. They want that inside look at how we balance sports, school and now NIL.”
Dunne added that refusing to settle is something ingrained in his mindset, although he also remains optimistic about the future.
“We have the mentality that you should never settle. We just want what's next. We're constantly excited about the future. I feel like that's a blessing and a curse at the same time,” she said.
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Established brands such as Raising Cane's, American Eagle, Nautica and Microsoft are among the companies that have partnered with the star gymnast.
Dunne has over 5 million followers on Instagram, in addition to her 8.1 million followers on TikTok. She is dating Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes.
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