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Olivia Dunne, a former LSU Tigers gymnast and popular social media star, Dised on the backstory about how she decided to do a split during a sports illustrated runway show in Miami earlier this year.
The national champion appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition this year and was able to go on the runway for the first time. She explained to “What is your story? With Stephanie McMahon” that she was able to attend the show because she was out of LSU and didn’t need to start training in the coming season.
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Olivia Dunne makes a split during Sports Illustrated Bathing Duit Runway Show on May 31, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Ivan Apfel/Getty Images)
During the May show, she strolled down the walkway of a black and white polka dot swimsuit containing red arches in front and down against her hips. When she reached the end of the time, she fell into a split.
She told McMahon in a recent episode of the former WWE Director’s podcast that she was nervous about doing the show because she had never walked down a runway, so much less been on one of the fashion shows before.
“I went to Miami. I had no idea what to expect,” Dunne explained. “I’ve never gone a runway a day in my life. I’ve only ever gone in my bedroom mirror after watching Vicotria’s Secret Fashion Show grow up. I have literally never gone a runway.
“So I get to the general test and you just run a fast through the show. Literally two hours before the show. And they’re like ‘OK, life you open the show.’ Oh shooting, I’ve never even seen someone go down the runway in person.
Livvy Dunne goes on the runway at The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show in Miami Beach, Florida. (Ivan Apfel/Getty Images)
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Dunne said she consulted the people she thought wouldn’t swing her from doing so.
“So I got the show opened with a sports illustrated t-shirt on which was so cool and it was an iconic moment,” Dunne said. “And then I decided right after the general test, I remember, I was talking to my sister – I only consulted people I knew would agree with me. I was like ‘Should I do a split?’ And they were like ‘… yes.
“When they see a fashion show like Sports Illustrated, they will see personality, they will see movement, they will see you having the time in your life because it really was at the moment. It was so fun. And yes, I oiled up and fell into a split. … It was so funny.”
Dunne was one of four cover models along with Lauren Chan, Salma Hayek and Jordan Chiles.
She has been one of the most subsequent athletes on social media since she joined LSU. She boasts more than 8 million followers at Tiktok and another 5.4 million on Instagram. She helped Tigers a national championship in 2024, but her last year with LSU was derailed due to an injury.
Gymnast Livvy Dunne on the field after the game between Pirates and San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on May 23, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Since then, she has been seen cheering on her boyfriend Paul Skenes as he creates waves in MLB with Pittsburgh Pirates.
