Olivia Dunne is no stranger to the spotlight. With over 13 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, the LSU gymnastics star has undoubtedly built an empire that extends far beyond the gym. Livvy Dunne can also be crowned for being one of the most recognizable faces in college sports, a powerhouse in the NIL space, and a role model for many young athletes. But with fame comes scrutiny. And Dunne has often been subjected to relentless online criticism despite her success.
The 22-year-old’s journey has been a mix of admiration and controversy. While she has secured record-breaking endorsement deals and played a pivotal role in increasing visibility for women’s gymnastics, the New Jersey native’s contributions to the sport have often been questioned. Critics have labeled her as more of an influencer than an athlete. After LSU clinched its first-ever national championship in April 2024, the scrutiny only intensified. Some detractors dismissed her achievements, branding her a “professional benchwarmer” whose presence was more about social media clout than her skills on the mat. However, naysayers didn’t get the better of the 22-year-old. Not even close.
Through it all, Dunne has continued to push forward, embracing both the love and the hate. Reflecting on her experience, she recently opened up about the overwhelming pressure that came with her rapid rise to fame in the early days of her NCAA career. Engaging in an unfiltered conversation with ESPN Livvy stated, “I was 18 years old when everything changed, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I felt like I couldn’t make a mistake.” The weight of constant attention made every move feel magnified, leaving little room for missteps. But she wasn’t the one to be deterred.
Despite the challenges, Dunne sees the impact of her platform as a net positive, especially when it comes to elevating women’s sports. Dunne shared, “But something you learn on social media is you will get hate and you will get people that are bitter towards you, especially when you have success.” The LSU athlete further continued, “But I think that having the eyes on me has been such a blessing in my life, and I feel like it’s translated over into eyes on the sport of gymnastics, which was a huge deal to me, and a huge reason why I kept coming back for more.” Amid everything, Dunne has not shied away from embracing the responsibility of being a high-profile ambassador for gymnastics.
The New Jersey native chose to leverage her influence to shine a spotlight on the sport’s progress. Her ability to transform negativity into a driving force for change speaks to her resilience and dedication. However, she probably couldn’t have mastered this art without the apt guidance from her coach and mentor Jay Clark.
Coach Clark’s unbreakable stand shielded Olivia Dunne from relentless hate and rise above negativities
Jay Clark isn’t just Olivia Dunne’s coach. But rather is her unwavering shield against relentless online hate. As the LSU gymnastics head coach, Clark has seen firsthand how Dunne’s success has made her a target for critics. But instead of letting the negativity consume her, he equipped Dunne with the mental tools to fight back. He shared his mantra to guide mentees through trying times.
“The main thing is to just keep them in the process and not let them get distracted,” Clark shared on the Amazon docu-series The Money Game. His message was loud and clear! And it was to tune out the noise. Whether it was harsh criticism or overwhelming praise, he urged the gymnast to focus solely on her craft, “Get rid of the brain. Let the body do what it knows how to do.” This mindset shift helped Dunne regain control, allowing her to pour all her energy into gymnastics instead of public perception.
Coach Clark also addressed the double standards that often follow the 22-year-old. While many fixate on her social media fame, they overlook her years of dedication. Clark defended, “She was the United States national team member. She is not like just, you know, some key that showed up, and we put on the posters so she could be famous.” His words are a powerful reminder that Livvy Dunne’s achievements extend far beyond her online presence.
As critics continued to discredit her, Clark remained steadfast in his support. “That’s the way haters are; they want to discredit everything she has accomplished”, stated the LSU Head Coach. However, under his guidance, Dunne learned to block out the noise, proving that her true strength isn’t just in her routines—but in her resilience. As she soaks in the final months of her collegiate gymnastics career, she isn’t letting the noise drown out her passion.
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