Olivia Paige Dunne, known as Livvy Dunne, is an American artistic gymnast, social media influencer, and one of the most prominent athletes in the NCAA's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. A gymnast for the LSU Tigers, Dunne leveraged her combination of elite athletic ability and massive social media following to become the highest-earning female college athlete in America. With over 12 million TikTok followers and 5 million Instagram followers, she has redefined what it means to be a student-athlete in the NIL age.
Born on October 1, 2002, in Hillsdale, New Jersey, Dunne began gymnastics at a young age and quickly proved herself as an elite talent. She trained at ENA Gymnastics in Paramus, New Jersey, and was a member of the US Junior National Team. She competed at elite level events and was considered a potential Olympic prospect before choosing the NCAA route, committing to Louisiana State University (LSU) to compete in college gymnastics.
At LSU, Dunne became a standout on the beam and uneven bars, contributing to the Tigers' top-ranked gymnastics program. Her floor routines and bar dismounts drew cheers from sold-out crowds at the PMAC (Pete Maravich Assembly Center). Her presence helped drive a massive increase in attendance for LSU gymnastics meets, with the program consistently selling out its arena during her tenure.
Dunne's social media presence exploded alongside the NCAA's 2021 NIL policy, which for the first time allowed college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. She quickly became the face of the NIL movement, signing deals with major brands including Vuori, American Eagle, Grubhub, and PlantFuel. Her NIL earnings reportedly exceed $3 million annually, making her the highest-valued female college athlete.
Beyond gymnastics, Dunne has become a cultural figure who bridges the gap between athletics and influencer culture. She has been featured in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, appeared on major talk shows, and has been profiled by outlets from The New York Times to ESPN. Her influence has sparked conversations about the intersection of athletics, social media, gender, and commercialization in college sports.