When you hear the name Olivia Dunne, the first thing that comes to mind has to be her mind-boggling gymnastics routines. It is, however, almost impossible to ignore her impact off-mat. As an All-American athlete at LSU and one of the top NIL earners in collegiate sports, Livvy is creating a new rulebook of what it means to be a student-athlete in the ever-so-active social media age.

Livvy’s rise from flipping her way through quarantine at the beach to competing at the 2021 NCAA Championships is a story of a champion in the making. But that’s not all! Livvy also comes with over 10 million social media followers! And with that kind of followership comes major endorsement deals. With the dawn of Livvy’s social media fame also came the dusk of scrutiny! Recently, Livvy Dunne has been under fire, with some questioning her spot on LSU’s gymnastics team. But guess what?

Olivia Dunne’s response to haters!

Livvy Dunne is here to set the record straight. The wave of backlash kicked off after the national championships when online trolls took to social media to criticize Livvy. The trifle turned ugly, with many claiming that she was only on the team because of her massive Instagram following and not because she had the skill. Livvy, however, didn’t waste any time addressing the drama head-on.

“Yeah. I see all kinds of crazy things. People after the national championship were rude!” Livvy shared. It wasn’t, however, the criticism that ticked her off—it was the fact that the ones criticizing her did not seem to know her story. “I was on the national team, and I’d compete for the United States. People don’t really want to listen because they obviously are just haters.” Period. Livvy Dunne did not hesitate to remind the world she is not just another Instagram sensation!

In a world where judgment is at the fingertips and publishing is a click away, it’s often athletes who are torn down quickly based on their social media fame, as pointed out by Olivia Dunne. But she gives an important reminder. “It’s so fascinating with sports. With music or movies, there’s no denying that if someone’s uncle is the producer or something, it’s easier for them to get in the door. But with sports, you still have to do it! You still have to go out there and do gymnastics. You can’t fake that. Right, yeah,” said Livvy.

Livvy Dunne is definitely on to something. No matter how famous you are online, you’ve got to put in the work and deliver flawless performances to stay on the team. As Livvy herself puts it, “Gymnastics is one of those things where if it doesn’t look easy, then you’re not doing it right, because it’s supposed to look effortless and beautiful and seamless.” Livvy knows her worth and is not one to shy away from it because of haters. And she has no doubt, made that clear. But she did not stop just there!

LSU star breaks myths and misconceptions around NIL

Olivia Dunne went on to make some bold statements. When the NIL rules changed in 2021, allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, Livvy became one of the biggest winners in this new era. With the new era also came the same old complaints. One of the biggest myths about NIL?

“Probably that it’s ruining college athletics,” Livvy said. In her view, it is in fact doing the opposite, especially for women. “Not for me and not for other women that don’t have professional leagues! Most women’s sports don’t have professional leagues, so it’s really important for girls to capitalize on their NIL while they’re still in college,” she added. Livvy isn’t just about making money, but lifting up those around her.

“I think it’s great for women, and I think that everyone deserves their rights to their name, image, and likeness. It’s theirs!” Livvy said passionately. And as for the critics? “Usually it’s like an old man talking about football when they’re complaining about this,” she added playfully. NIL has been nothing short of life-changing for Olivia Dunne. She has even made some major splurges too.

“The first thing I ever got that was expensive was a Canada Goose coat for my mom,” Livvy revealed. But her first big purchase for herself? A BMW. “That was cool,” she said casually. And when it comes to fashion, she doesn’t hold back. “Also, if I see a purse I like, I’m going to get it.” Livvy is not just making waves in gymnastics; she is also breaking outdated myths around NIL and rewriting the script for what it means to be a student-athlete. And whether haters are for it or not, her journey is only just beginning.