If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram over the last few years, you already know Livvy. The LSU gymnast basically redefined what it means to be a college athlete in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). But something shifted recently.
The Olivia Dunne Sports Illustrated 2025 appearance isn't just another photo gallery for the archives. It was her graduation into the "big leagues" of modeling. After appearing as a rookie and a returning veteran in previous years, Dunne finally landed one of the four coveted covers for the 2025 SI Swimsuit Issue. She shared the spotlight with heavy hitters like Salma Hayek Pinault, Lauren Chan, and fellow gymnastics icon Jordan Chiles.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild when you look at the timeline. Most people thought her "15 minutes" would fade once her collegiate gymnastics career at LSU started winding down. Instead, she’s busier than ever.
The Bermuda Shoot: Behind the Scenes of a Milestone
For the 2025 edition, SI flew Dunne out to Bermuda. Pink sand, turquoise water—the whole nine yards. She teamed up with photographer Ben Watts for the third time. They clearly have a rhythm now, which shows in the shots. Watts has a way of capturing that "sporty-meets-glamour" vibe that has become Livvy's signature.
She wasn't just standing there looking pretty, though. In a move that surprised a lot of fans, Dunne later revealed she was actually shooting on a fractured kneecap.
Think about that for a second. An avulsion fracture.
👉 See also: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Most people would be on a couch with a bag of frozen peas, but she was out there hitting poses on uneven sand and jagged rocks. She actually missed her final home meet at LSU in March because of that injury. It’s a subtle reminder that behind the "influencer" label, she’s still a gritty D1 athlete who’s used to working through pain.
Why 2025 Felt Different for Livvy
There’s a specific reason why the Olivia Dunne Sports Illustrated 2025 cover matters more than her 2023 debut in Puerto Rico or her 2024 trip to Portugal. This year was about transition.
For the first time, SI leaned into her identity as an "industrious entrepreneur" rather than just the "college gymnast." She’s become a pioneer for the "best of both worlds" philosophy. You’ve got the 13 million-plus followers, the seven-figure salary, and the brand deals with everyone from Motorola to Vuori. But you also have The Livvy Fund, which she’s using to teach other female athletes how to secure their own bag.
Breaking Down the Look
The 2025 spread featured a lot of animal prints—specifically a zebra-print bikini that quickly went viral. She also sported:
- An asymmetrical monokini by Gabriela Pires.
- The Oh Polly x SI Swimsuit collaboration pieces.
- A backwards baseball cap in several shots, which fans immediately clocked as a nod to her boyfriend, MLB pitcher Paul Skenes.
The aesthetic was less "traditional model" and more "high-energy athlete." It worked.
✨ Don't miss: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
The Viral Runway Moment in Miami
If the magazine photos weren't enough, the SI Swimsuit Runway Show at the W South Beach in May really sealed the deal. Dunne opened the show.
Usually, runway walks are pretty standard. You walk, you turn, you leave. Livvy decided to make it a moment. Mid-walk, she dropped into a full split on the catwalk. She later joked on Instagram that it was a "split decision" and that she’d been "triple dog dared" to do it.
It was a smart move. It reminded everyone that while she’s a cover model now, her roots are still firmly planted in the gym.
The Business of Being Livvy Dunne
You can't talk about Olivia Dunne in 2025 without talking about the money. She’s currently valued at over $4 million in NIL deals. That puts her in a tiny, elite group of college athletes—mostly men like Arch Manning—who are making professional-level income before they even turn pro.
Some critics still act like she just got lucky with a viral video, but that's a pretty lazy take. Building a brand that survives multiple years of platform changes and stays relevant enough to land an SI cover takes actual work. She’s essentially running a small media company while finishing a degree and training 20+ hours a week.
🔗 Read more: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
What People Get Wrong
A lot of the "noise" around Dunne suggests she’s just a social media fluke.
But if you look at her 2025 trajectory, it's clear she's playing a much longer game. She’s moving into the space occupied by people like Alix Earle—who also appeared in the 2025 SI issue—where the person is the product.
What’s Next After the SI Cover?
Now that the Olivia Dunne Sports Illustrated 2025 issue has been on newsstands since May, the big question is: what now?
With her LSU career wrapping up, she’s transitioning into a full-time "brand." We’ve already seen her land a Maxim cover and make the Time100 Creators list. She’s also hinted at launching her own products rather than just representing other people's stuff.
Actionable Takeaways for the "Livvy Era"
If you're following Dunne's career for more than just the photos, there are a few real-world lessons here about the modern economy:
- Niche Down, Then Expand: She started purely with gymnastics content. Once she had the base, she branched into fashion and lifestyle.
- Ownership is Key: Moving from "NIL athlete" to "entrepreneur" means looking for equity and long-term partnerships, not just one-off posts.
- Control the Narrative: By being open about her injuries and the "non-glamorous" side of her life, she keeps her audience connected in a way a traditional celebrity can't.
The 2025 cover wasn't a peak; it was a pivot. Whether you're a fan of gymnastics or just interested in how the creator economy is swallowing traditional media, Livvy is the blueprint.
She’s basically proven that you don't have to choose between being taken seriously as an athlete and being a successful model. You can just do both. And if you have to do it on a fractured kneecap? Even better.