LSU gymnastics star Olivia Dunne opens up about the downside of being a social media star
In April, LSU star gymnast Olivia Dunne won a national championship to close out her college career in glittering fashion, or so it seemed at the time. She has since announced her return to Baton Rouge for a fifth year and the gymnast who has become a social media star will continue to dominate NIL discourse for another year.
Speaking to GQ Sports, Dunne, who has a combined following of 13.6 million on various social media platforms, revealed the downside of being a social media star.
"When you're doing something right, there's going to be people trying to tear you down and I don't think people can wrap their heads around a woman being successful in different areas including athletics.
"Since I do social media, they try to degrade my athletic abilities. 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."
Olivia Dunne discusses the next steps in her career
Olivia Dunne has a huge platform with 13.6 million social media followers, five times that of Colorado Buffaloes' quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who tops the NIL charts. She has accompanied that platform with an On3 NIL valuation of $4 million, which ranks her at No. 2 on the NIL 100 list.
During an interview with the New York Post, Olivia Dunne outlined her future plans and it involves fostering existing business relationships with brands like Sports Illustrated.
"I feel like [Sports Illustrated] is something that can last beyond college," Dunne said. "I think that’s important, creating a substantial brand that will last post-college. And [SI Swim] is one of those, I don’t even want to call it a partnership, because they’re like family to me. That’s been amazing.
"Winning the championship was so exciting for not only our team but the whole university," she said. "I want to feel that again. Social media can glamorize things, but it's not always like that. I had a hard time balancing if I should feel my body like a model... or an athlete?"
Dunne appeared on Prime Video's docuseries "The Money Game" alongside former LSU Tigers stars, Chicago Sky's Angel Reese and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Olivia Dunne also started the Livvy Fund last year, which she hopes will help female student-athletes take advantage of NIL opportunities in college sports.