Olivia “Livvy” Dunne, LSU gymnast and social media sensation, extended her graduation celebrations in style this past weekend. Following her commencement ceremony earlier in the week, Dunne gave her 5.4 million Instagram followers a glimpse into her post-grad festivities, which included a cozy dinner date in New York City with her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes.
A Stylish Evening in NYC
Dunne, 22, took to Instagram Stories to document her night out, showcasing her chic black mini dress paired with knee-high boots. One post featured Dunne posing in front of the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, exuding holiday spirit and post-graduation glow.
The evening continued at Cucina Alba, a trendy Manhattan restaurant, where Skenes, also 22, was seen enjoying the meal alongside Dunne. The intimate dinner highlighted the couple’s shared celebration of Dunne’s significant milestone.
Dunne’s Academic and Athletic Achievements
The gymnast officially graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies during LSU’s commencement ceremony on Thursday. Dunne shared photos from the big day on social media, captioning them with a heartfelt “Forever LSU” to celebrate her journey as a student-athlete.
A trailblazer in the NIL (name, image, and likeness) era, Dunne boasts an impressive valuation of $4.2 million, thanks to partnerships with brands like Vuori and her massive social media following. She also expanded her portfolio into modeling, making her debut in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2023.
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A Champion On and Off the Mat
Dunne’s days at LSU are not yet over. While her academic chapter has closed, she is set to compete in her fifth and final year of NCAA eligibility with the Tigers gymnastics team. LSU, fresh off their first national championship in program history, has high hopes for another successful season.
Back in April, Dunne played a key role in LSU’s historic win over California, Utah, and Florida in the NCAA Championship. Reflecting on the triumph, Dunne posted, “Special teams, special players,” on Instagram.
Supporting Each Other’s Success
Dunne and Skenes’ relationship has been a hallmark of 2023, with the couple celebrating major milestones in their respective sports careers. Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU, made an immediate impact in the major leagues. In his rookie season, the right-handed pitcher went 11-3 with a stellar 1.96 ERA and earned an All-Star nod.
Dunne proudly supported Skenes during his major league debut and celebrated with him after he was named NL Rookie of the Year. Sharing her excitement, Dunne said simply, “That was cool.”
A Year of Milestones
From LSU’s championship win to individual accolades for both Dunne and Skenes, 2023 has been a year to remember for this power couple. Dunne’s graduation marks yet another milestone, and with her continued gymnastics career and Skenes’ burgeoning MLB success, the future looks bright for both.
Whether they’re cheering each other on in their athletic pursuits or celebrating life’s big moments together, Dunne and Skenes are proving to be one of the most dynamic duos in sports today. Safe to say, 2024 is shaping up to be just as exciting for these two LSU alums.
