"One thing that annoys me is people being like she doesn't deserve anything she has" - Olivia Dunne on facing criticism amid rising popularity 

By Soumik Bhattacharya

Modified Sep 20, 2024 20:22 GMT

2024 NCAA Gymnastics Championships gold medalist Olivia Dunne recently opened up about the mean comments and trolls she has faced over the years on her social media handles.

Dunne, one of the most followed collegiate athletes ever, with more than 5 million followers coming just from Instagram, has experienced the downside of her online popularity. Despite her immense fan base, she has faced online harassment and trolling due to her profession and appearance.

In a conversation with Louisiana State University (LSU) basketball player, Flau'jae Johnson, Dunne spoke about some of the meanest comments she has received. The 21-year-old gymnast stated that some of the commenters on her social media handles had also asked her for her bathwater.

Besides, she also mentioned that she had also faced trolling for her gymnastics profession. She said (via Best of Both Worlds podcast with Flau'jae at 20:00),

"You know what I had for a really long time in my comment section was people ask me for my bath water. I was like what has my life come to, these people begging for bath water but it's kind of settled down at this point but that was a crazy one that I'll never forget."

"One of the thing that annoys me the most, especially on like the money game docu series posts that I post on my feed and on my TikTok and people being like she doesn't deserve anything she has and gymnastics isn't a real sport," Dunne added.

---

Olivia Dunne opens up about her sister's contributions to her success

Dunne at an LSU vs Florida Gators match during the NCAA Championships (Image via Getty Images)

Olivia Dunne recently spoke about her sister, Julz Dunne's contributions to her growth as one of the highest-paid NIL (Name, image, and likeness) athletes. The 21-year-old's collaborations with brands like American Eagle, Vuori, and Motorola have been instrumental in her growing brand value.

During an interview with GQ Sports, the New Jersey native stated that her sister handles the production process, including editing and final touches, before she submits them to brands. She said:

"Julz is with me all the time. She's the one making sure everything looks perfect before we send it out to brands."

Dunne's sister, Julz, plays a crucial role in her online presence. In addition to directing and editing TikTok and brand advertisements, she also manages her brand partnerships and builds relationships with various brands.