Olivia Dunne, the social media star and LSU gymnastics standout, is killing it online with over 7 million TikTok followers and 4 million on Instagram. She recently nailed a 9.900 on floor exercises at the Podium Challenge, which just added to her buzz. But after her stellar performance, the media session took a turn, with some in the gymnastics world throwing shade her way. It looks like her rise to fame is bringing a mix of cheers and critiques.
Earlier this year, Olivia Dunne posted a funny video on Instagram where she walked into the gym as everyone else was leaving. A reporter brought it up, and Livvy gave a cheeky reply that laid it all out. The video showed her and her LSU teammates having a blast dancing around, which some people took the wrong way, thinking she was bragging about being the best. But Dunne set the record straight, saying, “The internet likes to assume things and I just think that this team is so special and our bond is (amazing). So, we could take jokes. Our team is funny and we just decided to make a funny video, pushing back at the haters.”
After facing a lot of criticism, Olivia Dunne got real in a talk with the New York Post. She admitted that her love for gymnastics hasn’t always been easy to maintain, saying, “I think [being in that] position is super hard.” She mentioned how some critics have questioned her place in the sport, noting, “there’s a bunch of people telling you that you’re not important or you’re not really part of the team when you are.”
Despite all that, she pointed out that being part of a team means dealing with competition and using it to push each other to be better. Olivia Dunne opened up about her journey, sharing, “And there definitely were times where my love for the sport lowered.” Livvy reflected on the challenges she faced, especially during her sophomore and junior years, saying it was a tough balancing act. “And with school and athletics, it was just a hard balance,” she admitted, highlighting how she struggled to manage both.
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With no clear path laid out before her, she had to forge her own way, explaining, “And there was nobody I could follow in their footsteps because nobody’s ever done it before.” So, she had to get creative and discover what worked best for her on her own unique journey.
Olivia Dunne’s no stranger to criticism, especially with her huge social media following. She’s faced plenty of backlash in the past, and now she just brushes it off. Did you catch the earlier drama she went through? She’s had her share of haters before, but she always comes back stronger, turning the negativity into motivation.
Olivia Dunne flipped the script with her NIL fame!
At just 21, Olivia Dunne shines brightly as one of the top stars in college sports. While college athletes once couldn’t cash in on their social media fame, the landscape changed in 2021 with the advent of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. Thanks to these opportunities, student-athletes like Dunne can now turn their online influence into lucrative brand deals and greater recognition. According to On3, Dunne is the highest-paid female athlete and the second-highest-paid NIL athlete overall. But, as with any glittering success, it comes with its own set of challenges!
Last year, LSU had to bring in extra security after a huge crowd of teenage fans went wild at one of their meets. Samantha Peszek, the Olympic gymnast, shared a video showing a massive group of boys shouting “Livvy, Livvy!” and “We want Livvy!” Some were holding signs, while others were leaning over barricades just to get a glimpse of the star. It was pure chaos, highlighting just how big Olivia Dunne’s fanbase has gotten.
Olivia Dunne has had her share of online negativity, but she’s found a strong way to handle it. During a chat on the “Twin Talk” podcast with Haley and Hanna Cavinder, she offered her perspective on dealing with hate. “With hate and stuff, I know this sounds cliché, but it’s literally someone behind a phone screen,” she explained. For Dunne, those harsh comments are just empty noise from people who don’t matter. And honestly, isn’t that the way it should be? Why let faceless voices behind screens overshadow the true joy and passion of the sport? Olivia Dunne brushes off the critics and keeps forging ahead. What do you think of her approach to handling hate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Debate
Is the gymnastics community too harsh on Olivia Dunne, or is criticism part of the game?