Olivia Dunne has spent much of her summer on the move, from a getaway in the Hamptons with Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes to a trip to Atlanta for the MLB All-Star Game.
But this week, the LSU gymnast and social media sensation chose to bring things closer to home, returning to her native New Jersey to spend the rest of the season.
On Wednesday, Dunne shared the news with her millions of followers through a short video filmed in Hillsdale, the town where she grew up. Performing a few lighthearted dance moves, she paired the clip with a caption that summed up her feelings: “NJ I’ve missed u
Back to where it all began
Dunne was born on October 1, 2002, in Westwood, New Jersey, before her family relocated to Hillsdale. It was there that she first discovered her passion for gymnastics. In 2005, at just three years old, she began training at ENA Gymnastics in Paramus under the guidance of coach Craig Zappa.
Those early sessions laid the foundation for a career that would eventually make her one of the most recognizable athletes in NCAA gymnastics and a leading figure in the NIL era.
Her return to Hillsdale marks a quieter chapter in what has been a whirlwind summer. Between her time with Skenes in the Hamptons and appearances at high-profile events like the All-Star Game, Dunne has kept a busy schedule off the mat. The New Jersey visit offers her a chance to reset in familiar surroundings before heading back to Baton Rouge for the upcoming season.
While Dunne has not shared details of how long she plans to stay, her post made it clear that being back in her home state carries special meaning. For fans who have followed her journey from a young gymnast in Paramus to a national star balancing athletics and a massive social media presence, the return is a reminder of where it all started.
With both her career and relationship with Skenes under constant public attention, the Hillsdale trip also provides a glimpse of normalcy away from the spotlight.
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