Olivia Dunne is currently one of the hottest names in college gymnastics, and it’s no surprise she’s one of the six LSU student-athletes featured in Amazon Prime’s new documentary, The Money Game. While Olivia’s impressive gymnastics skills are undeniable, her social media fame is the real kicker—she’s the “most followed NCAA athlete” with over 13 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
With a $4 million NIL valuation, she’s the only woman in the top five on On3’s list, proving she’s not just flipping her way to success but also cashing in big-time. But here’s the juicy bit: as much as Livvy’s the face of this multimillion-dollar TikTok empire, the mastermind behind the scenes is her sister, Julz. Yep, Julz is the creative genius who brainstorms the content, while Olivia gets to bask in the glory and cash in on the fame.
Olivia Dunne talks about her sister’s contribution to building her online presence
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During the second episode of the ‘Money Game,’ Olivia Dunne spilled the tea on her TikTok success and gave a major shout-out to her sister, Julz. Olivia made it crystal clear that her social media empire wouldn’t be what it is without Julz’s genius. “My sister, she deserves just as much as I do. Julz is like the mastermind behind pretty much everything. She’s the brains behind the operation,” Olivia Dunne confessed.
Turns out, Livvy’s initial attempts to charm her audience were a bit off the mark. She focused on making her videos look as glamorous as possible, but it wasn’t hitting the right notes. The audience, it turns out, craved accurate lip-syncing and some genuine enthusiasm. Julz, ever the behind-the-scenes wizard, handles all the nitty-gritty of production. She pointed out that even though the videos are short, they can take hours to produce.
Julz can also be credited for much of Olivia Dunne’s content, saying, “Whether, like, it’s an Instagram post, I usually am the one helping her narrow it down. Caption, I usually help her come up with it. And if that girl has ever posted anything funny in her life, you know who came up with it because it wasn’t her.”
According to Julz, Livvy’s lack of real-world experience is why she needs Julz’s expertise. Olivia was homeschooled, so she’s a bit of a newbie when it comes to understanding what makes people tick. In contrast, her sister, who went through the public school grind, has her finger on the pulse of what’s trending. According to her, it is a family business in its genuine sense, showing that their close bond is key to running this social media show smoothly. When they’re not diving into business and NIL fame, the Dunne sisters are just two peas in a pod.
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What’s your perspective on:
Is Olivia Dunne's success more about her talent or her sister Julz's social media genius?
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Olivia Dunne’s relationship with Julz
Olivia and Julz Dunne, just a year apart, with Julz born in 2001 and Olivia in 2002, have been inseparable since day childhood. Both chose Louisiana State University (LSU) for their further education, with Julz graduating in 2023 with a degree in kinesiology. Initially, she was hesitant to follow her sister’s footsteps to LSU, especially since Olivia Dunne committed to the Tigers at just 14. Julz was eyeing colleges closer to their New Jersey hometown, but during an LSU tour, she realized it was the perfect fit for her, given her ‘big school spirit’ and affinity for LSU’s vibe.
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The sisters ended up living in nearby apartments while at LSU, maintaining their close bond throughout their college years. Today, Olivia Dunne is a social media powerhouse with over 13 million followers and Julz, on the other hand, has a more modest following of 100,000 on TikTok and Instagram, sharing glimpses of her life and journey.
Despite the online fame and differing follower counts, there’s no sibling rivalry here. In February 2023, Julz was asked about any potential issues with their social media status. She firmly stated, “That is my best friend, so, at the end of the day, that’s the relationship that matters more than ones from other people online that I don’t even know.” Given the incredible bond and support from her sister Julz, it’s no surprise that Olivia Dunne is shining brightly. What are your thoughts on this dynamic duo? Share your comments below!
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Is Olivia Dunne's success more about her talent or her sister Julz's social media genius?