Paul Skenes added another milestone to his rising MLB resume on Wednesday, delivering a lights-out performance on the mound and grabbing headlines for his off-field debut as a GQ cover model. Before he threw a single pitch, GQ released a feature profiling Skenes and his girlfriend, LSU gymnast and social media sensation Livvy Dunne.
But by the time the sun set, it was Skenes’ pitching that did the real talking: seven innings, just three hits, no earned runs, and his first win of the 2025 season as the Pirates topped the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-2.
After the game, the media couldn’t help but ask about his brush with fashion stardom.
“Um… Yeah, I don’t know,” Skenes said when asked about the GQ shoot. “I’m going to get some flak in the locker room, I know that. I’m not looking forward to it.
“But yeah, I didn’t know what GQ was until the offer came, so I’m glad I did it, I think. I mean, how’d I look? Did you guys think I looked good?”
A Gen Z couple redefining the spotlight
Skenes and Dunne have become one of Gen Z’s favorite celebrity-athlete power couples, even if their rise wasn’t exactly planned. The GQ profile dives into their relationship, which began when both were student-athletes at LSU.
Since then, they’ve balanced individual fame with a shared public presence, often featured across social media timelines and sports blogs alike.
Dunne, who boasts over 13 million followers across TikTok and Instagram combined, has long been a viral figure in gymnastics and influencer circles.
Her presence on the scene brought attention to Skenes even before his rapid MLB ascent. But make no mistake-Skenes’ success is his own.
After winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2024, he’s proven to be one of the league’s most exciting arms, with a fastball that flirts with triple digits and poise beyond his years.
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