LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne has vaulted into the iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
The 20-year-old social media sensation called it a “dream come true,” in an Instagram post announcing her bikini bible debut.
Back in January, she traveled to Puerto Rico for the sizzling shoot.
“Two days ago I competed, I was at school, and then yesterday I flew here, had my fitting, and here I am shooting,” she said.
Dunne posed in a skimpy gray bikini with cutouts that showed off her pert posterior.
The blonde has essentially become the face of the NCAA’s Name, Image and Likeness rule, which went into effect in July 2021 and allowed college athletes to profit off their personal brand.
With numerous brand deals with companies including American Eagle and Vuori, a reported net worth of $2.3 million, and 11 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, Dunne has transcended her sport and blazed a new trail for female athletes.
“As a woman, no one really expected a gymnast to be at the forefront of that. Most people expected football, baseball, basketball,” said Dunne.
According to SI Swim’s editor-in-chief MJ Day, Dunne is an all-around talent and role model for younger athletes.
“Livvy is harnessing this newfound power and turning it into a long-term, sustainable brand, growing the sport of collegiate gymnastics and setting an example for athletes of the future of what they are also capable of accomplishing outside of the competitive arena,” said Day.
“In a world where women are constantly being forced to pick a lane, Livvy is in all of them, winning. We couldn’t be more excited to feature her on the pages of our 2023 issue.”
Dunne also has a rabid fanbase of teen boys, some of whom showed up to LSU’s season opener against Utah back in January, causing a chaotic scene as they chanted for the star.
She responded by asking her fans to “be respectful.“
But there’s no doubt that Dunne’s popularity has resulted in an unprecedented spotlight on the niche college sport and her fellow competitors.
“In gymnastics, a lot of people only watch the Olympics every four years,” she told SI.
“And I feel like I’ve been able to use my platform to bring an audience to college gymnastics, and people are starting to see how amazing all these gymnasts are.”
The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue hits newsstands on May 18.