With 13.2 million fans across all social media platforms, Olivia Dunne is as close to a celebrity as an NIL athlete can be. However, while all the fame brings a legion of loyal fans, it also attracts unsavory individuals. However, Livvy didn’t realize how far these individuals would be willing to go until she started getting death threats. In fact, even LSU took notice.

“You’re not gonna make it back to your dorm alive tonight.” an individual once texted, confessed Livvy on The Money Game. The text led to LSUPD increasing security across campus. Even more alarmingly, other Lady Tigers members got similarly threatening texts. Although LSUPD ensured everyone’s safety, the experience was jarring. Thankfully, things are not like inside campus.

While speaking to fellow Louisiana State and NIL athlete Flau’jae Johnson, the 2024 NCAA champion revealed how fellow students treat her. Olivia Dunne revealed that while some freshmen might get excited to see her, no one “bothers” her on her way to the gym or class. “I feel like people kind of get that we are just college kids and I feel like the public eye kind of forgets that,” Dunne said during the Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae podcast.

In fact, the 21-year-old gymnast implied that Falu’jae Johnson also had a similar experience. Johnson is among Louisiana State’s NIL stars and has significant social media fame. The 20-year-old has amassed nearly 2 million followers on Instagram thanks to her basketball and rapping skills. “I would say the same thing,” said the Savannah, Georgia, native, agreeing with Dunne.

“I get stopped like you know like, ‘Hey can I get a picture!’ But it’s never really like too crazy,” added the basketballer. While Olivia Dunne may have a NIL valuation of nearly $4 million, she is like any other student on the campus. Olivia Dunne stressed that at the end of the day everyone, including her, has to attend the same classes and worry about grades.

However, the social media situation has not improved. In fact, Dunne confessed that it got much worse in the Amazon Prime documentary. The gymnast revealed how her social media approach has changed over the years.

How Olivia Dune blocked out the noise

“Social media has gotten way more toxic and mean than when I first started,” Livvy confessed during the six-part docu-series. The New Jersey native had a few thousand fans when she first began posting on TikTok. However, her popularity exploded after the NIL policy change and the brand deals. Along with the fame came the mean comments and threats.

While you would’ve never guessed watching Olivia Dunne’s stellar 9.90 on floor exercise at the NCAA regional, the negative comments had severely affected Dunne. The 2024 SEC Honor Roll winner couldn’t figure out why random strangers would attack her. It even started affecting her performance during practice. Thankfully, LSU Tigers gymnastics coach Jay Clark was there to help.

The veteran coach instructed Dunne to block out all the noise, regardless of its nature. It didn’t matter whether it was praise or criticism. “Get rid of the brain. Let the body do what it knows how to do,” Clark advised his protégé. Now, as she gets ready for a fifth year at LSU, Livvy has internalized her coach’s advice.

The gymnast understands that there are people who will be mean and even go as far as sending death threats. However, the gymnastics icon is happy that everyone at LSU, including her fellow students, ensures the university is a safe space for everyone.