Olivia Dunne is undeniably one of the biggest stars in the NCAA realm. At just 21 years old, the LSU gymnast has become a household name. Thanks to her prowess on the mat alongside her massive social media following. With over 7 million TikTok followers and 4 million on Instagram, Livvy Dunne has managed to transcend the spotlight of the gymnastics arena and is also a social media sensation. 

Securing a whopping $9.5 million in NIL deals, Olivia Dunne had truly established herself as a trendsetter in the ever-evolving world of college sports marketing. However, her journey hasn’t been without its challenges. And a large part of it has been posed by the online world.

LSU coach reflects on Dunne’s silent triumphs amid social media scrutiny

Dunne’s rise to fame has garnered her both admiration and criticism. On the one hand, she’s celebrated as a role model for many young athletes, especially in women’s sports. On the other hand, her fame has become a double-edged sword, with trolls and critics accusing her of being more an influencer than a gymnast. The backlash grew louder after LSU’s gymnastics team secured a national championship in 2024. Despite her undeniable impact off the floor, some questioned her contributions on it, labeling her a “professional benchwarmer” who only earned a spot due to her social media clout rather than her athletic ability.

However, LSU’s head coach, Jay Clark, is quick to set the record straight. In a passionate defense of Dunne, he shared a powerful perspective on the matter. Joining the All Things Gymnastics podcast for a candid conversation, Clark reflected on the unseen side of the Dunne: “The kid loves gymnastics. That’s what people don’t realize about her.” The coach also added how, despite all the external noise, Dunne’s commitment to the team has never wavered. She’s been continuously upgrading her routines, now opening with a double layout on floor exercises. 

Moreover, Olivia Dunne also nurtures a strong desire to contribute to her team and prove herself as a true gymnast. “She has contributed in numerous ways. Sometimes everything not everything that is a contribution shows up in a score sheet. She has been a good teammate for all these years too, and that matters,” said Clark. Clark further pointed out that Dunne’s contributions often go unnoticed by those outside the gymnastics community. While her social media fame might overshadow her performance for some, within the LSU gymnastics program, she plays a vital role behind the scenes. 

The LSU coach also stressed the importance of recognizing athletes who may not always be in the spotlight but still provide invaluable support to the team’s success. Further highlighting the reason why trollers don’t credit her, he said, “They don’t because that’s the way haters are; they want to discredit everything she has accomplished outside of gymnastics by saying you know something negative about her.” 

Clark further added that the position Livvy Dunne has achieved in life is because of what she has done to build her career. “But the reality is that she—I mean, she was the United States national team member. She is not like just, you know, some key that showed up, and we put on the posters so she could be famous,” stated the coach. And this isn’t the only instance that the LSU gymnast received support from her coach.

Coach Clark guided Dunne to block out the noise and conquer online trolls

Fame isn’t always glamorous, as LSU gymnastics star Olivia Dunne has discovered. While her incredible success with NIL deals has catapulted her to social media stardom, it’s also made her a target for relentless online harassment. Critics have questioned her legitimacy as an athlete, dismissing her achievements. But through the storm of negativity, Dunne found a steadfast ally in her coach, Jay Clark, whose guidance became a crucial lifeline.

The head coach’s strategy for combating the noise was simple yet profound. He asked the gymnast to focus on the process and block out distractions. “The main thing is to just keep them in the process and not let them get distracted,” Clark shared on Amazon Prime’s docu-series ‘The Money Game.’ He encouraged Dunne to eliminate the influence of public opinion.

Be it glowing praise or sharp criticism, Clark suggested Dunne not take either of them to heart. He further suggested she channel her energy into what she does best—gymnastics. “Get rid of the brain. Let the body do what it knows how to do,” Clark advised Dunne to help her shift her mindset back to her craft. The impact of this advice was profound. For Dunne, who admitted that the negativity often left her feeling demotivated, this approach provided clarity.

“People couldn’t believe that I was actually a real gymnast, that I didn’t just do flips on the beach,” she revealed. Despite battling injuries and trolls, Dunne refused to let her detractors define her. With Clark’s steady support, the LSU queen was quick to learn to tune out the noise and reclaim her focus, proving her resilience both on and off the mat.