Olivia Dunne, the shining star of LSU gymnastics, isn’t just mastering flips and routines; she’s also making waves in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) world. But with all that fame comes a fair share of critics, as some have doubted her place in gymnastics, questioning her authenticity as a real gymnast. As someone who’s lived and breathed the life of an elite gymnast, Olivia knows firsthand the struggles many of her fellow gymnasts have faced over the years.

Now, returning to LSU for her fifth year after leaving the elite circuit at just 16, Olivia is reflecting on her journey, especially after the spotlight of her recent docuseries, The Money Game. She’s opening up about how she handles the relentless misogyny and body image issues that come with being in the spotlight of the gymnastics world.

In a recent chat with Flaunt, Olivia Dunne got real about the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being a gymnast. “You have to have tough skin to do gymnastics or any artistic sport,” she shared, highlighting how tough it is to navigate that world. She pointed out a shocking statistic: “anorexia and body image issues are the highest in artistic sports.” It’s a tough pill to swallow, but Olivia totally gets it.

Looking back on her own journey, she said, “Growing up in elite gymnastics, it was very hard with body image,” especially during those awkward puberty years. Being a young girl in a leotard while everyone’s watching can feel pretty intense. “The whole sport of gymnastics is having people judge you,” she pointed out, shedding light on something not many people talk about.

Elite gymnasts like Simone Biles and Aly Raisman have revealed harsh conditions they faced during training camps. In 2021, Biles admitted to sneaking extra food from the cafeteria because the rations weren’t enough to satisfy the gymnasts’ hunger. Raisman echoed these struggles, describing dirty showers, bug-infested bunk beds, and meals that often upset their stomachs, shedding light on the challenges they endured while training at the highest level.

Olivia Dunne continued talking about how even though she’s confident now, she admitted that body image still trips her up sometimes. So now she gives her advice to young women, “I want girls to know that it’s normal. That’s normal,” she said, hoping to encourage others who might be dealing with the same struggles.

Body image struggles aren’t the only battles she’s facing. In Flaunt, she opened up about the misogyny and objectification she’s endured. During a January 2023 interview on TODAY, she emphasized, “As a woman, you’re not responsible for how a man looks at you and objectifies you. That’s not a woman’s responsibility.” Her words come after not just online hate but also personal, traumatic experiences, highlighting the emotional toll she’s had to navigate. So, what traumatic NIL encounters has Olivia Dunne faced?

Olivia Dunne’s rollercoaster ride in the NIL spotlight

Last year, the LSU gymnast, Olivia Dunne, found herself at the center of some wild drama when fans disrupted a meet, according to reports from Fox News. The New York Post revealed that a big crowd of young guys stuck around after the event, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of Olivia and her teammates as they made their way to the bus. Many were holding signs and shouting, “We want Livvy! Give us Livvy!”

Olympic medalist Samantha Peszek jumped on Twitter to share her thoughts, saying, “This is actually so scary and disturbing and cringey. I’m embarrassed for them.” Her reaction really captured how unsettling the whole situation was. A mom of a Utah gymnast even chimed in, saying she saw fans acting in a disrespectful way and noted that some made derogatory comments about her daughter, calling her “Livvy 2.0,” as mentioned by the New York Post.

After all the chaos, Olivia took to social media a few days later to address her fans. She asked everyone to be more respectful and thanked them for their support, reminding them how important it is to keep things positive. Despite all the chaos, Olivia has built a $6 million empire through her NIL deals and more, securing her place in one of the top spots!