This is a total gut punch. Olivia Dunne, along with so many other athlete influencers, is probably reeling from this one. Late Friday night, TikTok was banned in the US. And users who tried to access the app were met with a message no one saw coming. “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately. That means you can’t use TikTok now.” For Olivia, an LSU gymnast in her senior year with 8.1 million TikTok followers, this couldn’t have come at a worse time.

TikTok has been everything for Olivia Dunne. It has been her main way to build her brand since 2020. And to connect with fans and possibly transition from a college athlete to a full-time influencer. With her college career coming to an end in four months, she was likely counting on social media to take her to the next level. But now, with TikTok banned in the U.S., all those plans are up in the air.

You can feel the heartbreak in Olivia’s post on X, where she shared “RIP TikTok” with a sad emoji. It’s clear how much this hit her. She even updated her followers on Instagram, sharing a screenshot of her TikTok feed, showing the disruption many Americans were facing. So what’s next for Livvy?

Olivia Dunne is not just sitting around. In her Instagram story, she hinted that she’s already planning her next move. “Time to get the LinkedIn ready,” she wrote with an emoji. This shows that she’s thinking about where to go from here. She’s got other platforms to work with, where she can still manage her brand deals and keep her content going. But these options have divided the gymnastics fans. And both groups are reacting differently. Some are showing support, while others are being pretty critical.

Olivia Dunne’s fans divided over TikTok’s shutdown

Some fans have been quick to remind Olivia Dunne that she doesn’t need TikTok to keep thriving. One wrote, “Olivia, you don’t need TikTok for revenue anymore. Thrive, young queen,” while another added, “That’s a good thing. You have other ways to be a model for young ladies who live at LSU.” It’s a comforting reminder that even without TikTok, Olivia’s got plenty of opportunities ahead. After all, she’s already one of the highest-paid female athletes in NIL, earning $4.2 million.

Olivia has worked with over 20 major brands, including Vuori (her first NIL deal in 2021), American Eagle, Nautica, Body Armour, Planfuel, Battleby, Accelerator Active Energy, and more. These deals have helped her generate plenty of income, and they’re still going strong. Beyond the brand partnerships, Olivia has also launched The Livvy Fund to support LSU female athletes. She’s already an inspiration, and with her presence on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for sports, it’s clear Olivia Dunne is on track for even bigger things. With or without TikTok.

While many fans are offering support, not everyone is showing Olivia Dunne the same kindness. One user harshly commented, “You are outdated… Enjoy life without the spotlight,” while another went as far as to say, “I was not watching your sh*t woman.” It’s honestly heartbreaking to see such negativity, especially considering how much Olivia has achieved. She’s been through the grind, worked hard for her platform, and built a massive following not just as a gymnast but as a NIL space also.

One fan added, “The circus is moving over to X now,” while another jokingly said, “It’s Trump who will save it, bestie. 🙏❤️.” It seems some fans are speculating that Olivia Dunne might make the move to X after TikTok’s shutdown. While she hasn’t hinted at it, she did suggest she’s thinking about other platforms, especially LinkedIn.

Just a couple of days ago, Olivia shared, “Me when my diploma finally comes 3 days before the TikTok ban,” adding, “Getting my LinkedIn ready #foryou #tikTok.” She’s preparing for the next chapter, possibly focusing on finding a new career or job opportunities. LinkedIn, being a business- and employment-focused platform, offers a very different vibe compared to TikTok’s more casual, influencer-driven space.

As for the mention of Trump, it ties back to the uncertain future of NIL and TikTok. With Trump now poised to take office for the second time, many are speculating on potential changes to policies, including those related to college sports. Under Biden, there was a push for colleges to spend equally on NIL, which would have leveled the playing field for athletes, especially female ones like Olivia Dunne. But Trump’s presidency will shift how NIL is handled. And who knows, perhaps even a chance for TikTok to return.

One fan commented, “Gonna miss seeing you,” and honestly, it’s hard not to agree. And her fans will surely miss Olivia Dunne’s posts in our feed. After all, why not? With nearly 8.1 million followers, she has built quite a huge community of fans. And it will be tough to imagine that space without her. Her content has that unique spark, and yeah, her fans will feel the void.