It was a random Tuesday in 2023 when the internet collectively lost its mind. A photo surfaced of Olivia Dunne—the LSU gymnastics sensation with a social media following larger than some small countries—wearing a baseball jersey. But it wasn't just any jersey. It belonged to a tall, hard-throwing pitcher named Paul Skenes.
Since then, the frenzy hasn't stopped.
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or scrolled through sports news over the last two years, you’ve seen them. He’s the Pittsburgh Pirates ace with a 100-mph fastball and a freshly shaven face. She’s the NIL pioneer who basically rewrote the rules for how college athletes make money. Together, Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne have become the definitive "It Couple" of the 2020s.
But behind the red carpets and the viral "baby face" TikToks, there’s a lot more going on than just two famous people dating. Honestly, the way they’ve navigated the transition from college stars to professional icons is a masterclass in modern celebrity.
The LSU Meet-Cute and the "Small World" Theory
Most people think they met through some high-level agent or at a VIP event. Nope. It was way more "college" than that. Paul was the best friend of a guy dating Livvy’s roommate, fellow gymnast Elena Arenas. It was a classic setup.
"Just a small-world type of thing," Skenes told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette back when the rumors first started flying.
They were both at the top of their game at Louisiana State University. Skenes was busy leading the Tigers to a College World Series title, and Dunne was already a household name. But for a while, they actually kept it quiet. They’d get ice cream. They’d hang out without the cameras.
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Dunne recently told GQ that she felt an instant connection on those first few dates. It wasn’t about the fame; it was about the fact that they both understood the pressure of being in the spotlight.
Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne: Why 2025 Changed Everything
If 2023 was the "announcement" and 2024 was the "rookie year," then 2025 was the year they officially conquered their respective worlds.
Paul didn't just play well; he dominated. He finished the 2025 season with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts. That performance earned him the National League Cy Young Award, making him the best pitcher in the league. When the announcement happened, he was sitting right next to Livvy.
The contrast was hilarious. In 2024, when he won Rookie of the Year, he was stoic. Basically a statue. In 2025, he actually cracked a smile and pumped his fists. Livvy joked on Instagram that he’d "unlocked a new reaction" and probably practiced it in the mirror.
Meanwhile, Dunne was having her own massive year.
- She landed a cover on the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
- She made her runway debut.
- She was named to the TIME100 Creators list.
She also finished her gymnastics career at LSU. That was a big deal. She’d been doing gymnastics for almost 20 years. Moving on from the mat meant she could finally spend more time in Pittsburgh during the baseball season. No more 6:00 AM practices holding her back from seeing Paul's starts at PNC Park.
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The "No Leash" Rule
Relationships in the public eye usually crash and burn. So how are they still going strong in 2026?
Dunne recently opened up to PEOPLE about their "one rule." It’s pretty simple: No leashes.
She explained that in past relationships, she felt restricted. With Paul, it's different. They both have high-pressure jobs. He has to pitch in front of 40,000 people; she has to manage a multi-million dollar brand. They don't get in each other's way.
"Everything is a two-way road," she said. It’s that "yin and yang" dynamic. Paul is the quiet, focused pitcher who barely uses social media. Livvy is the digital native who lives in front of the camera. Somehow, it works.
Life Off the Field (and the Shaved Mustache)
The biggest news of early 2026 wasn't a trade or a new contract. It was Paul’s face.
On New Year's Day, Livvy posted a TikTok that went viral instantly. Paul had shaved his signature mustache. He looked like a completely different person. She called him a "baby face cutie," but fans were divided. That mustache had become part of his "ace" persona.
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But that's the thing—away from the field, they’re just two 23-year-olds. They have a golden retriever named Roux. They go on USO tours to meet sailors on the USS Gerald R. Ford. They take "bae-cations" to Europe and Canada.
They’ve also started building a life together across several cities. Paul is anchored in Pittsburgh for the season, but they’ve got spots in Florida and New Jersey. It’s a lot of flying, a lot of scheduling, and a lot of FaceTime.
What’s Next for the Power Couple?
As we head deeper into 2026, the trajectory isn't slowing down. Paul is now the face of the Pirates and a perennial Cy Young favorite. Olivia has transitioned from "college athlete" to "full-time mogul."
What can we learn from how they handle the heat?
- Privacy is a choice. Even though they are public, they don't share everything. They keep the "ice cream date" moments for themselves.
- Support isn't a competition. You never see them trying to outshine each other. When Paul wins, Livvy is his biggest cheerleader. When Livvy gets a cover, Paul is there on the red carpet.
- Adaptability matters. Whether it’s moving to a new city or dealing with a partner’s career change, they seem to roll with the punches.
Honestly, the Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne story is a reminder that even in the age of viral clips and NIL deals, a relationship works best when the people in it actually like each other.
If you want to keep up with them, your best bet is following Livvy’s TikTok for the "behind-the-scenes" humor and keeping an eye on the Pirates' rotation for Paul’s dominance on the mound. Just don't expect the mustache to come back anytime soon—it seems the "baby face" look is here to stay for the 2026 season.
Actionable Insight: If you're following their journey for branding or NIL inspiration, notice how they balance "professional" content with "human" moments. That's the secret sauce for staying relevant without burning out.