LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, renowned as the highest-paid NCAA female athlete, has recently revealed that she is no longer attending classes in person due to security “scares” that have arisen in the past. In an interview with Elle magazine, the 20-year-old athlete expressed her concern for personal safety, stating her desire to be cautious and protect her privacy.
As a prominent figure online, Dunne has unfortunately become a target of numerous threats, which has understandably left her feeling uneasy about the exposure that comes with public life. Although she shares aspects of her life with her fans on social media, she has been vigilant in keeping her love life out of the spotlight.
One notable incident that raised safety concerns occurred during LSU’s season opener against Utah in Salt Lake City earlier this year. After Dunne made an appearance, a large crowd of young fans flocked to the Jon M. Huntsman Center, prompting a substantial police presence to ensure order and safety.
Reflecting on the unexpected turnout, Dunne admitted her surprise at the magnitude of her fame. She acknowledged that her success had grown over the years, but she hadn’t anticipated such an overwhelming response from fans.
In light of these experiences, Dunne remains unapologetic about her appearance, asserting that it is not a woman’s responsibility to control how others perceive or act toward her. Despite the challenges of handling fame at a young age, she remains determined to post content that she feels comfortable with.
“It’s not a girl’s responsibility how a man looks at her or how he acts, especially when you’re doing your sport and that’s your uniform,” the gymnast said. “I can’t help the way I look, and I’m going to post what I feel comfortable with. It’s hard to handle at times, definitely, because I am just a 20-year-old student. I think people do forget that.”
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As she approaches her final year in college, some of the notoriety surrounding Dunne may begin to wane. Nevertheless, she continues to seize opportunities, recently appearing in the prestigious Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Additionally, Dunne has amassed a substantial income through endorsements, representing brands like L’Oréal, Spotify, Forever 21, Motorola, American Eagle, Grubhub, ESPN College GameDay, and energy drink Accelerator.
