Olivia Dunne explains why she and boyfriend Paul Skenes are a 'very good match' as she lifts the lid

August 2024 · 3 minute read

Olivia Dunne has opened up on her relationship with MLB prospect Paul Skenes and why she believes they are a ‘very good match’ as a couple.

Dunne and Skenes, both 21, first went public with their romance back in August after the LSU gymnastics sensation was spotted attending some of his baseball games for minor-league team the Bradenton Marauders.

Since then their relationship has gone from strength to strength, with the lovebirds recently enjoying a trip to New York over the holidays.

And during an appearance on ESPN’s Sports Center, Dunne gushed over boyfriend Skenes – who joined the Pittsburgh Pirates as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft after a stellar career at LSU – while claiming their contrasting personalities blend together perfectly.

Olivia Dunne has opened up on her relationship with MLB prospect Paul Skenes (pictured)

Olivia Dunne has opened up on her relationship with MLB prospect Paul Skenes (pictured)

Dunne explained why she believes her and Skenes are a 'very good match' on Sports Center

Dunne explained why she believes her and Skenes are a ‘very good match’ on Sports Center

The LSU gymnast was recently in New York City with her boyfriend over the holiday period

The LSU gymnast was recently in New York City with her boyfriend over the holiday period

‘He’s pretty level-headed all the time, that’s what I love about him,’ she said. ‘And I think that we’re a really good pair because of that, because I have a crazy lifestyle and things get thrown my way all the time. 

‘Sometimes my emotions sway up and down, and he’s very level. I just think it’s a very good match.’

Dunne, who boasts over 12 million followers across her Instagram and TikTok accounts, is one of the most famous online personalities in US sport, as well as a star gymnast for LSU. 

According to On3’s NIL tracker, the social-media phenomenon’s estimated annual earnings from her name, image and likeness is roughly $3.5m, while she has also enjoyed partnerships with the likes of Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Body Armor, American Eagle Outfitters and Motorola.

So is there method behind the madness? 

‘There’s definitely a strategy behind it,’ she admitted. ‘It was over quarantine when it really blew up for me and from there I had the help of my mom and my sister managing me and my time and just having the right people around me.

Dunne, 21, boasts 7.8m TikTok followers and has become on of the US' most followed athletes

Dunne, 21, boasts 7.8m TikTok followers and has become on of the US’ most followed athletes

‘It’s been one of the biggest blessings in my life.’

On Thursday, Skenes pitched against the Orioles’ pair of former top-overall picks, Jackson Holliday and Adley Rutschman. 

He got out both the first overall pick in 2019, Rutschman, with a fly out, and who preceded him as the top overall pick, Holliday, with a ground out. 

ncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue8Snq56qpJa2r7nEp6tom5Gnsrp5zK6jpaGXlrtusdepo5qhnqh6uLTYZqqhnV2Yrq24xJ1kqK2kYsOivsieq7KrXaW%2FsLnIrKCnn12uvLa6xmauqKWRo3qzsdWinLBn