Unpublished images of Olivia Dunne surfaced at the start of 2026 and immediately sent social media into overdrive, creating a reaction that rivaled major sports moments and even eclipsed the attention surrounding the MLB ace she is dating, Paul Skenes.
Dunne has spent years carefully building one of the most powerful personal brands in modern sports, blending elite athletic credentials with mass-market appeal across fashion, fitness, and lifestyle media platforms.
Her reach is staggering as with more than 13.2 million followers across social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, Dunne commands an audience that extends well beyond gymnastics or college sports culture.
That following has translated into lucrative partnerships with brands like American Eagle and Vuori, while positioning her as one of the most visible beneficiaries of the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) era in collegiate sports.
And her crossover moment arrived in 2023, when she made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut, signaling a shift from college athlete to mainstream media figure.
“Olivia Dunne‘s why goes far beyond the floor and bars,” Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s editor-in-chief said. “it’s about changing the game for athletes everywhere.
“She was one of the first to leverage the power of name, image and likeness deals, building a brand that’s both financially successful and rooted in showing the real Livvy.
“She’s not just a social media sensation; she’s a pioneering force who has created opportunities for herself and, by extension, countless other athletes by demonstrating how to navigate the intersection of sports, business and digital influence.”
Two years later, Dunne reached another milestone when she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, a moment she openly described as surreal and deeply personal.
The newly released behind-the-scenes images from that shoot, shared by photographer Ben Watts, reignited interest and reminded fans how carefully curated moments can still feel fresh.
Skenes rocks new look ahead of 2026 MLB season
Dunne‘s visibility naturally intersects with the rising profile of her boyfriend, the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ pitcher Paul Skenes, though recent reactions suggest her cultural pull often surpasses his.
The couple confirmed their relationship in August 2023 and have largely kept it low-key while supporting each other’s demanding professional schedules.
On January 1, Dunne shared a TikTok reacting to Skenes shaving his iconic moustache to usher in the new year, using the viral audio, “Oh my gosh! She’s bald!”
The clean-shaven look marked a reset for Skenes ahead of the 2026 MLB season, with Dunne captioning the post, “baby face cutieeee.”
Both are coming off landmark years. Dunne reached new heights in fashion and media, while Skenes captured the National League Cy Young Award after a dominant 2025 campaign but despite their fame, Dunne has stressed balance as the foundation of their relationship and professional lives.
“I think that everything is a two-way road, so being fair,” Dunne told PEOPLE when discussing prioritising. “We don’t restrict each other from doing things.
“I’ve been in relationships in the past like that, where it’s almost like you have a leash on you, you can’t do anything.”
“But he has a job to do and I have a job to do, I know that’s so important for two young kids in a relationship to realize.”
Dunne, who graduated from LSU in 2024, continues expanding her brand while enjoying newfound flexibility away from elite gymnastics training.
As 2026 unfolds, Dunne‘s influence shows no signs of slowing, with even unpublished images proving enough to dominate the sports and pop culture conversation.
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