“He wouldn’t follow me back on Instagram”. Is that that big a deal? Well, for Olivia “Livvy” Dunne, a social media sensation with millions of followers and a standout LSU gymnast, it is. The New Jersey native’s relationship with Paul Skenes, the dominant pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates, is perpetually in the spotlight. Their relationship, marked by athletic success and a shared love for the spotlight, has sparked significant attention, but not for the reasons you might expect.
Olivia Dunne was undoubtedly intrigued by the baseball player. While around Baton Rouge, Livvy Dunne was a known face, thanks to her millions of followers across social media, Skenes, who had recently transferred from the Air Force Academy, was not what you could call the ‘popular kid’. Even Dunne agreed to the same, except she occasionally took notice of who she thought was a “tall, mysterious man that never smiles <?>” Adding to the intrigue was another itch, that did not quite sit right with the undefeated social media queen.
Like every other college student, Skenes operated an Instagram profile, except he couldn’t possibly care less about it. Being the most followed social media user around, Olivia Dunne was shocked when the California native didn’t follow him back! “I was like, who is this kid and why won’t he follow me back?” she said as quoted by GQ Sports. At LSU, where Livvy was a dominant presence online, Paul was an anomaly.
Adding to her initial impression of Paul Skenes being “mysterious“, the social media nonchalance was surely too much to take. So when a common friend of theirs suggested they all attend a Morgan Wallen concert in Mississippi, the LSU gymnast seized the opportunity to tackle this mysterious, a foot-taller-than-her baseball player. Even though Skenes was “reserved”, according to his own words, Dunne was not one to give up, “But I had the ambition to get to know him”. So it finally happened!
One fine day, Skenes finally gathered enough courage to ask the gymnast out on an ice cream date. His reasoning? “I’ve got to have something in my hand while we’re talking or whatever.” The two hit it off. Olivia Dunne started scheduling one too many hair appointments to see him, and honestly, her new interest in keeping her hair beautiful at all times didn’t escape Skenes’ eyes.”I saw right through her because her hair kept looking the same,” Livvy for sure didn’t want to get caught, but that is what makes their relationship so relatable! They are fun, goofy, and embarrassing, just like regular couples in college. After quite a hilarious start, the couple is going just as strong as ever, posing for magazine covers and cheering for each other!
Inside Livvy and Paul’s ever-growing bond
Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes have been each other’s biggest cheerleaders, making frequent public appearances to back one another. Most recently, Livvy was there for Paul’s Opening Day with the Pittsburgh Pirates in Miami in March 2025. She wasn’t alone. Olympian Aly Raisman and DJ Xandra Pohl joined her, further proving the strong network behind Skenes as he kicked off the season. Despite the Pirates’ narrow 5-4 loss to the Marlins, Paul put on an impressive performance, striking out seven in five and a third innings.
Before the grind of another MLB season, the couple took a much-needed getaway to Siesta Key, Florida, in February 2025. Livvy shared glimpses of their trip on Instagram, including a playful selfie and a candid moment of them enjoying the ocean. It was a well-earned break for Paul before diving back into the demands of professional baseball. Meanwhile, Livvy’s star power extended beyond the world of sports. She took on the role of Grand Marshal in the Krewe of Endymion parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, fully embracing the celebration and sharing her experience with fans. Even though Skenes couldn’t accompany her on the special day, we just know he was there in spirit. At the gym, even though a patella avulsion fracture has kept her off the mat, Olivia Dunne continues to be the biggest cheerleader for the LSU team, which, having recently won the SEC championship, looks steadfast on its path to defend its NCAA title.
If Paul’s talent on the mound wasn’t enough, Livvy’s TikTok recently revealed another of his hidden skills: cooking. On January 30, she shared a video of him in a red apron, confidently slicing up meat like a pro. Playfully hyping him up, she added, “Boys! I heard cooking for your girl will make you throw 100mph FYI,” and cheekily captioned it, “A man that cooks >.” It’s these fun, lighthearted moments that make their relationship so relatable despite their superstar status. Whether in the stands, on vacation, or in the kitchen, one thing is clear that Livvy and Paul’s support for each other runs deep, and fans are loving every second of it.
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