Since her debut in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue last spring, a lot has changed for LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne.
Returning for the magazine’s 2024 edition, Dunne traveled to Portugal for a shoot with Ben Watts, who photographed her in Puerto Rico last year.
Dunne credits her inclusion in the magazine last year with opening numerous doors, including the opportunity to present an award at the ESPYs, where she made sure to include an LSU joke.
College life has also evolved for Dunne. She switched her major from Communications to Interdisciplinary Studies and has made significant contributions to her teammates. Last summer, she established “The Livvy Fund” to help female student-athletes earn new opportunities within NIL (Name, Image, Likeness).
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“I’m blessed to have these NIL opportunities, and I wanted to provide NIL opportunities for women student-athletes at LSU,” Dunne said during her shoot in Portugal. “When I get a brand deal, the brand contributes to the Livvy Fund, and we partner other female student-athletes with the brand.”
Dunne emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for other female student-athletes, “because they work just as hard as me.”
Despite her soaring social media following (her Instagram has gained 1.1 million followers and her TikTok has amassed 59.3 million cumulative likes since last May), Dunne remains relatable. Her mom and sister, who joined her for the shoot in Portugal, are central to her life, as are SpongeBob and Harry Potter. Although she is the female college athlete with the highest NIL valuation, she is also a 21-year-old looking ahead to her future.
In her second year with the SI Swimsuit franchise, Dunne already considers her fellow models family. “We just have a blast on set,” she said.
The 60th anniversary SI Swimsuit edition hits newsstands on May 15.
