‘Accepted’ Into Shaquille O’Neal’ Clan, Olivia Dunne Gets Her Biggest Dream Granted by 7ft Giant

Published 11/11/2023, 5:09 PM EST

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Olivia Dunne is one of the most recognizable faces on the internet. She is also the highest paid athlete in collegiate sports representing LSU Tigers. From gymnastics to her personal life, she always keeps her fans updated through her social media. Just a few days back, she shared a glimpse of her sushi date night with her boyfriend Paul Skenes. Now, she is once again enjoying a fun time with Skenes and someone “big” and special.

Shaquille O’Neal, also known as Shaq, and Olivia Dunne, both proudly represented the LSU team. Shaq, a former LSU basketball player, has been a standout in the sport. Olivia, a gymnast, has consistently looked up to Shaq, finding inspiration in his achievements. Today, Olivia Dunne’s dream came true as she had the incredible opportunity to meet Shaquille O’Neal, the basketball legend she has always admired.

Into the clan

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Shaq started his music career alongside his NBA success. His debut rap album, “Shaq Diesel,” released in 1993, went platinum, leading to three more successful rap albums in the 1990s. After retiring from the NBA in 2011, Shaq transitioned to music full-time, DJing and producing electronic music as DJ Diesel. In 2023, he dropped his debut electronic album, “Gorilla Warfare,” receiving critical acclaim and establishing him as a serious electronic music artist.

Recently, Olivia Dunne shared a glimpse of a memorable evening on Instagram, featuring herself, Paul Skenes, and Shaq. Olivia looked elegant in a white top and jeans, her boyfriend stylish in a grey T-shirt and joggers, sporting a pass card labeled “Fred.” Shaq rocked a cool black tank top with matching sweatpants. The post hinted at their presence at a music event at Fred’s bar, where Shaq was scheduled to perform. She captioned it as “squad up.

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However, it’s noteworthy that Olivia has been an avid admirer of Shaq’s music, expressing her admiration in a Full Send Podcast a few months ago, where she exclaimed, “I’ve seen him at football games and stuff. I wanna meet him bad. He’s a legend, he’s amazing.” Despite being social as usual, just a few days ago, LSU Gymnastics heightened security measures after an astonishing event.

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Olivia Dunne takes precautions

Over the past year, Olivia has encountered various challenges, but none more distressing than the incident at Utah University. A group of boys shouting her name created a harrowing experience, leading her to discontinue classes for her safety. Now, with heightened concern, Olivia has implemented additional security measures. Describing the situation, she notes, “Since last season, we haven’t competed, so it remains to be seen what this season will bring. However, following the unsettling incident at Utah last year, we’ve made it a priority to travel with a dedicated security guard for the LSU gymnastics team.

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This incident prompted Olivia to acknowledge the importance of privacy in her life, particularly in the context of her relationship with Paul Skenes. Sharing her insights with People magazine, she stated, “I’ve learned, especially in the last year, that keeping certain aspects of my life private is perfectly acceptable.” Despite the complexities of managing public attention, Olivia expressed appreciation for LSU’s assistance in navigating NIL deals. Additionally, she commended the university for launching the Livvy Fund, a proactive initiative aimed at providing support to other female athletes.

Watch this story After Discussing NIL Wealth with Sports Illustrated, Olivia Dunne Joins Best of Best at Forbes

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Written by:

Maleehah Shakeel

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I'm a US sports writer at EssentiallySports, where my passion for sports and the art of storytelling come together. As I thrive to bring insightful content to the table, I've honed my skills in crafting engaging narratives and offering meaningful analysis to the readers. Along with different segments of Olympic avenues, I am a huge equestrian sports enthusiast.
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Edited by:

Shifa Jahan