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2023 has been a glorious year for the highest-paid female collegiate athlete Olivia Dunne. If one had doubted Livvy’s success, her 2023 record would stand as proof enough for the growth she incurred.

The 21-year-old signed coveted brand deals, made it to the Forbes list not once but twice, and finally, rose to be a model for the SI Swimsuit. Now as the year-end arrives and brings reminiscing with it, here’s a look at the shoot that took over the internet.

A dream comes true

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Olivia Dunne, as a 10-year-old, found an interest in social media when the concept reigned foreign. But growing up, as she ensured to stick with it, the platforms provided more for Livvy than one could fathom. So when SI officiated the collaboration saying, ‘We’re absolutely flipping out over this, Livvy Dunne is officially an SI Swimsuit model,” catering to her 11 million followers, it was a dream come true for the youngster.

“It’s a dream come true. It’s an honor to be included because I love everything the magazine represents. It is all about supporting women from all different paths,” Livvy remarked after the shoot.

A life of hustling

Being in the gymnastics arena was a huge part of Livvy’s presence on social media and otherwise. Aware of her domains, the 21-year-old has ensured to maintain a balance between the two. For the shoot, the gymnast had to go over her meet one day and fly to the oceans of Puerto Rico the next.

“Two days ago, I competed, I was at school. Then yesterday I flew here, had my fitting, and here I am shooting,” Livvy stated on the set. The gymnast also revealed she was up at 4:50 on the day of arrival to prep for the shoot.

Also Read: Olivia Dunne Sets Goals Right For 13,000 LSU Fans

A conscience to exude inspiration

With over 14 million followers on social media, Livvy has thousands of eyes looking up at her. The gymnast hence knows her actions hold an influence over the youngsters and what she presents matters.

“There’s a lot of young girls that look up to me. And I feel like a lot of young girls also follow SI. So, both of our brands align because we both wanna inspire the younger generation.” 

A message for the younger generation, says Olivia Dunne

Through her interviews, Livvy has revealed how big a deal it has been to be at Sports Illustrated. To be a woman and a gymnast at that, running at the forefront, has set a strong message reveals Olivia.

 

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“No one really expected a gymnast to be on the forefront. To be a woman, and trying to make the playing field more level, is a step in the right direction.” Olivia Dunne further put forth a message for the youngsters saying, ‘You are more than just a sport’.

Being you

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Olivia Dunne’s initial photo shoot in Puerto Rico was followed by a next project for the 60th edition. Back on the set, Livvy revealed what it meant to be a model for SI, a message to lend to the spectators.

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“SI Swim means to me being comfortable in your own skin and being undeniably you, which is something I still work on to this day,” she says.

Watch this story: Struggling With Intense Training, America’s Crush Olivia Dunne Pays the Heavy Price