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via Imago

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“Who is this tall guy — this tall mysterious man?” Olivia Dunne laughed as she recalled the moment on her LSU Tigers teammate Flau’jae Johnson’s Best of Both Worlds podcast. At the time, she had no idea who he was. “I literally had no clue who he was, but I would just see him around,” she said, painting the picture of those early campus run-ins. A glance here, a passing smile there — and a lingering curiosity that kept growing. And then came the moment of realization.

“I was like, ‘There he is. He’s cute,’” Olivia admitted, a little sparkle in her voice. He didn’t even have a mustache yet — just raw talent, towering height, and a calm presence that quietly commanded attention. That mystery man? None other than Paul Skenes — LSU baseball’s ace pitcher, future MLB No. 1 draft pick, and, soon enough, the guy who’d win Olivia’s heart. Meanwhile, what began as casual sightings turned into a following on social media. From there, the spark quickly lit up. Wait, are we spilling too much too early? Well, for the rest, let’s dive deeper. 

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Who is Olivia Dunne dating?

Olivia Dunne may have millions of followers, viral gymnastic videos, and a social media empire under her belt — but when it comes to her heart, it belongs to someone who couldn’t be more different.

Enter Paul Skenes: the 6’6” MLB pitcher with a laser focus on workouts, performance, and staying off the grid (well, mostly). “We’re just very opposite, and I feel like it really works,” Livvy told People in October 2024, opening up about the relationship that fans had been buzzing about for months. “We’re like Yin and Yang,” she added, referencing the ancient Chinese concept of opposite forces coming together in harmony. And that’s exactly what they are.

Born on May 29, 2002, in California — thousands of miles from Livvy’s New Jersey roots — Paul brings a whole different energy to the table. While Olivia is used to living in the fast-paced, spotlight-filled world of NIL deals, photo shoots, and viral TikToks, Paul stays grounded in the grind: workouts, training sessions, and fine-tuning his game, day in and day out. But that contrast? It’s their secret weapon.

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Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne: Is their relationship the secret to their athletic success?

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“I think that we play off of one another and make each other better,” Olivia shared. And it’s not just about emotional support — they actually help each other grow. Paul offers Olivia honest, thoughtful input when it comes to her career, and she values it deeply.

“Paul definitely holds me accountable, which I really appreciate,” the gymnast said. “Sometimes it’s hard to find it within yourself to do things.” That outside perspective? It’s exactly what keeps her grounded — and growing.

What is Paul Skenes’s profession?

At 6-foot-6, Paul Skenes doesn’t just take the mound — he owns it. How? Well, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ flame-throwing right-hander has quickly become one of the most feared pitchers in baseball, with a triple-digit fastball that explodes out of his hand and secondary stuff that leaves hitters frozen. And while he’s just getting started, Skenes is already building a legacy that screams “superstar.” His journey to the big leagues? Nothing short of epic.

Skenes began his college career as a two-way threat at Air Force — catching games and coming in as a shutdown reliever. But when he transferred to LSU in 2022, the legend of Paul Skenes really began. By 2023, he was untouchable. He broke the SEC’s single-season strikeout record with 209 Ks, dominated the College World Series as MVP, and claimed the Dick Howser Trophy, college baseball’s highest honor, all while leading LSU to a national title. The MLB took notice — big time. How?

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USA Today via Reuters

Drafted 1st overall in 2023, Skenes stormed into the majors in 2024 like a wrecking ball. He finished his rookie campaign with a filthy 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts, and an All-Star selection—a ridiculous debut that immediately stamped him as the future ace of the Pirates’ rotation. And in 2025? He’s already back to dealing. Through his first two starts of the season, he’s posted a solid 3.44 ERA, showing that the dominance isn’t slowing down — it’s evolving.

When did Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes start dating?

It wasn’t some grand, movie-worthy moment when Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne first crossed paths — but it was the kind of twist that makes you believe in timing.

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Back in 2023, both were student-athletes at LSU, dominating their respective lanes — Olivia Dunne lighting up social media and the gymnastics floor, Paul Skenes mowing down hitters with his electric fastball. But their worlds officially collided thanks to a little college magic… and a roommate.

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In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Skenes shared the surprisingly simple backstory: “It was just a small-world type of thing,” he said. His best friend at LSU happened to be dating Livvy’s roommate — fellow gymnast and TikTok personality Elena Marenas. That connection led to casual hangouts, some friendly conversations, and eventually, something more. Therefore, what started as a classic college setup turned into one of the most talked-about sports couples of the year. No spotlight, no strategy — just the right people at the right time. Sometimes, it really is a small world, after all.

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Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne: Is their relationship the secret to their athletic success?

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