Olivia Dunne is one of the hottest commodities in college athletics at the moment. She has shone a new light on the traditionally overlooked collegiate gymnastics circuit. That is thanks to her good looks, undeniable talent, and millions of followers on social media. Dunne has 7 million TikTok followers and 3 million Instagram followers.
However, her fame has been an issue for LSU at times. The university had to issue a crowd conduct warning due to the raucous behavior of some fans at meets. In a different vein, the school had to issue a statement on the use of chatbots and AI after Dunne did sponsored content for an essay-writing AI tool. Despite these hiccups, Dunne’s star continues to shine and she is about to take her biggest step yet.
Dunne To Feature As SI Swimsuit Issue Cover Model
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition has been an annual staple since 1964. It has featured a range of models and celebrities in the prestigious role of cover model. However, athletes have had the rare honor of gracing the cover. The first athlete to do so was Ronda Rousey in 2016. The only other athletes to appear on the cover are soccer player Alex Morgan (2019) and tennis player Naomi Osaka (2021). Dunne will be the fourth athlete to star on the cover, and the first collegiate athlete to do so.
“It’s a dream come true. It’s an honor to be included because I love everything the magazine represents. It is all about supporting women from all different paths.” Dunne said. “The way that the [SI Swimsuit] brand has evolved and has become such a positive spotlight for women to tell their stories and to spread awesome messages of being strong, sexy and beautiful, I knew that was something I wanted to be part of,” she added. Swimsuit editor M.J. Day also spoke on what it meant to have Dunne on the cover.
“The refusal of some to appreciate Livvy for being more than just a pretty blonde is missing the point. The backlash she received for ‘leveraging’ her sexuality for endorsement dollars after the NIL restrictions were lifted is incorrect. We are here to celebrate this incredible young woman and encourage the world to respect and applaud Livvy and her fellow athletes for owning the blood, sweat and tears that have fueled a lifetime of achievements.”
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editor M.J. Day
The 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition will debut in May.
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