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Olivia Dunne's mother, Katherine Dunne, shared that her daughter always wanted to take gymnastics to greater heights with her social media popularity. Dunne returned to her alma mater, LSU, for her fifth-year eligibility and stepped on the 2024-25 meet season as a senior.
Olivia Dunne, who has been doing gymnastics since she was three, started posting content on social media in 2020. Her fame manifolded over time, making her the most-followed NCAA athlete as of February 2023. Earning millions since the NCAA's Name, Image, and Likeness rule update, Dunne garnered many fans for the sport, often witnessing record attendance when she competed on the mat.
The Sports Illustrated athlete once earned $500k from a single social media post, prompting her to start the Livvy Fund to help women collegiate athletes secure top NCAA endorsement deals. After lifting the National Champion's trophy with LSU in 2024, the 22-year-old returned to her alma mater for her fifth year.
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Ahead of the meet on January 11, 2025, Dunne's mother, Katherine Dunne, explained how her daughter always wanted to attract more people to women's gymnastics. She also noted the sport's growing popularity fresh off the Olympic year.
"I think it’s an important moment for women’s gymnastics. I think coming off of an Olympic year there’s extra enthusiasm for the sport, and I think it will continue to give it the recognition that these women deserve. When Olivia started social media, she always wanted to try to bring more eyeballs to the sport of college gymnastics. It’s really gratifying for her to see the appetite for it grow and the audience grow more and more each year," she told The Tribune.
Dunne performed on the balance beam and floor routine in LSU's season opener against Iowa State at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center last weekend. Her scores contributed to LSU's winning total of 197.3 while Iowa trailed with 194.1.
Olivia Dunne talked about her approach in her final year at LSU
Olivia Dunne kept her decision to continue college under wraps until July last year. In a recent conversation, she expressed her wish to enjoy herself with her fellow LSU gymnasts and make the best out of the short time left in her final year. (via LSU Sports YouTube)
"The best way I can describe it is, I had a blast and it was a complete joy. The decision to come back was the best decision that I have ever made. I have to sieze every moment because I know that it could be my last. It is my last year of eligibility and I just really want to make the best of it and have the best time with this group of girls because we are never going to get this team back, we're a special group of girls," Dunne said. (3:10)
She will next take the gymnastics mat on January 11, 2025, when LSU will compete against the Red Rocks, Oklahoma, and Cal in the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad.
Olivia Dunne signed lucrative deals with brands like Vuori, American Eagle Outfitters, Bodyamour, Grubhub, and others. She was also featured on The Money Game: LSU, a NIL-focused docuseries by Prime Video.
