Olivia Dunne, former LSU gymnastics star and rising media personality, has shared the surprising backstory behind her standout moment during the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show in Miami. Speaking on What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon, Dunne explained how she ended up doing a split on the runway—a move that captured attention and highlighted her athletic flair.
The national champion, who appeared on the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, made her runway debut during the May fashion event. Sporting a black and white polka dot swimsuit with red bows, she confidently walked to the end of the aisle and dropped into a full split.
Dunne admitted she was nervous, having never walked a runway before. Her only preparation, she joked, was watching Victoria’s Secret shows and practicing in front of her bedroom mirror. Recalling the day of the event, she said she was unexpectedly chosen to open the show just two hours before it began, adding to the pressure.
“I got to Miami with no clue what to expect,” she said. “They told me, ‘Liv, you’re opening the show,’ and I had never even seen a runway show in person.”
After a quick rehearsal, Dunne decided to consult her sister about adding a daring move to her walk. “I asked people I knew would say yes,” she said with a laugh. When she got approval from the event’s lead organizer, MJ Day, she went for it. “I thought it would be a fun way to show my personality and athleticism. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else do it.”
She emphasized that the Sports Illustrated show encouraged expression and energy. “They want to see personality, movement, and you enjoying the moment,” Dunne explained. “So I oiled myself up and dropped into a split. It was so much fun.”
Dunne was one of four cover stars this year, joining Lauren Chan, Salma Hayek, and Jordan Chiles. With over 8 million followers on TikTok and more than 5 million on Instagram, Dunne has become one of the most-followed college athletes. Though her final season with LSU was cut short due to injury, she played a key role in their 2024 national championship win.
Since leaving LSU, she’s been frequently seen supporting her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, a rising star with the Pittsburgh Pirates in Major League Baseball.
