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“Winning the national championships was a great team accomplishment, but I feel like I have more to give as an individual competitor,” LSU’s golden girl Olivia Dunne shared earlier this year, her determination shining brighter than ever. Now, Dunne is gearing up for her grand return to Baton Rouge for what promises to be an unforgettable fifth and final season. With her sights set on helping the Tigers defend their title after clinching their very first NCAA gymnastics crown last April, she’s made it clear—she’s not Dunne yet!

Although Olivia Dunne didn’t compete in the finals, she captivated fans earlier in the season with eight remarkable floor routines that were nothing short of mesmerizing. Twice, she achieved her personal best score of 9.9, leaving the audience in awe and reinforcing her status as a rising star in women’s gymnastics. For those questioning whether she’s worthy of being considered the face of the sport, a viral video may provide all the evidence needed.

In a video shared by Sports Dive back in December 2023, a bold comparison sparked a heated conversation, asking whether Olivia Dunne truly represents the face of female college gymnastics. They dove right into it, placing Livvy side by side with some of gymnastics’ biggest names to unpack the question. “If we were to compare Livvy to the face of male college gymnastics, Brody Malone, he made the national team in 2017—the same as Livvy,” they pointed out. But here’s the kicker: “He’s actually still a part of the national team, whereas Livvy only competed with them that one year.”

And Brody’s resume? A powerhouse! Two-time US National All-Around Champion (2021 and 2022) and a staggering 10-time NCAA Champion and just recently helping men’s gymnastics clinch that bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, Livvy’s career hasn’t quite reached those heights—she’s never cracked the top three in any major championship. For those thinking, “That’s an unfair comparison,” Sports Dive offered a closer look at Jordan Bowers.

USA Today via Reuters

The junior all-around gold medalist from the 2018 Pacific Rim Championships is now crushing it with the Oklahoma Sooners—the top-ranked NCAA gymnastics team in the country. But here’s the twist: “Where’s Jordan’s $500,000 NIL sponsorship?” The video didn’t shy away from the hard truth, summing it up in one striking conclusion. Livvy is undeniably talented, no doubt about that, but they argued, “Livvy Dunne is better than the average person when it comes to artistic gymnastics—that’s a fact. But when it comes to other artistic gymnasts, she’s the average one.”

So how, they asked, did Olivia Dunne become the name everyone knows? The answer, as they see it, is hidden in plain sight. “The face of female college gymnastics isn’t known for college gymnastics but for being a pretty face.” And it’s undeniable—her stunning looks have played a significant role in her rise, amplifying her social media influence and opening doors far beyond the mat.

Olivia Dunne is off the mat!

You heard that right! Olivia Dunne may not be shattering every record on the mat, but her off-the-mat success is nothing short of extraordinary. With over 5 million followers on Instagram and a staggering 7 million on TikTok, her social media influence has propelled her into the NIL elite. These massive numbers have secured Livvy the number two spot on the prestigious Top 100 NIL rankings. With a fanbase that feels more like a global empire, she has earned an astounding $9.5 million during her time at LSU. According to On3.com, her yearly earnings have surged to an impressive $3.9 million—a significant increase from her $3.3 million valuation prior to LSU’s historic national championship victory.

With her sister Julz Dunne lending a creative hand and sprinkling some social media magic, Olivia has become a powerhouse name both online and in brand collaborations. Crowned the highest-paid female athlete and second-highest NIL earner by On3, Livvy’s partnership game is strong. From headlining Vuori campaigns to repping names like Accelerator Active Energy, Nautica, Purina Pro Plan, and American Eagle Outfitters, she’s building an empire of deals. Oh, and let’s not forget her No. 48 spot on Forbes’s 2023 Top Creators list, where she bagged a jaw-dropping $2.3 million. Livvy is turning her digital charisma into pure gold, proving the sky’s not even a limit for this go-getter.

But here’s the kicker—behind every clever caption and cheeky post is her sister Julz, the genius pulling the strings. In the recent docuseries The Money Game, Olivia spilled the beans, admitting that Julz isn’t just helping; she’s the brains behind those viral captions. If a post has you laughing out loud, you can bet it’s Julz’s handiwork and not Livvy’s! It’s a sister duo making big moves in the NIL world, turning every click, post, and share into a step toward greatness.

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Is Olivia Dunne the face of gymnastics, or just a social media sensation with a pretty face?