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In collegiate-level athletics, there’s a name that shines with a radiance all its own?Olivia Dunne. She has distinguished herself as a star gymnast in addition to becoming one of the highest-paid athletes in college sports. The New Jersey native has proven that her talents extend beyond the gymnastics mat. Her journey, however, took an exciting turn when she stepped into the world of Sports Illustrated.

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May 2023 marked a significant milestone in Dunne’s journey, as she embarked on her debut photoshoot with none other than Sports Illustrated. The iconic publication chose this dynamic gymnast to grace its pages, celebrating her prowess on the gymnastics floor and in front of the camera. The sun-kissed beaches of Puerto Rico became the backdrop to a symphony of athleticism, elegance, and empowerment.

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Olivia Dunne shares a two-word message to Sports Illustrated

In a recent Instagram reel, Sports Illustrated posted a behind-the-scenes video of the alluring beach side photoshoot. In this mesmerizing video, the world saw glimpses of the Puerto Rico photoshoot, the sands, the waves, and Livvy herself, confidently embracing both her athleticism and her identity. They captioned the reel writing, ?Livvy Dunne loved her SI Swim shoot and so did we!? The video showed Dunne in various swim gears with her hair left loose and free as her skin bronzed in theme with the beach vibe. She replied to the reel writing, ?Love y?all.?

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Now let’s rewind a little. The story started in Puerto Rico in May, where Dunne’s first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photo shoot was documented by the island’s golden sands and azure waters. A star gymnast from LSU graced the beach with an aura that spoke of both determination and elegance. While her skill set is reflected in the flips and poses, her TikTok and Instagram platforms have elevated her to a social media sensation with over 11 million followers combined. It’s not just about swimsuits and photoshoots; it’s about breaking boundaries and inspiring dreams she proved.

How the May shoot went

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The photoshoot, set against the picturesque backdrop of Puerto Rico, was a celebration of Livvy’s athleticism, elegance, and undeniable charm. Interestingly, Dunne has been successful in most of the vocations she chose, which is why she was chosen to be a part of the illustrious magazine, stated SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day.

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The shoot wasn’t just a visual spectacle; it was a statement of Livvy’s unwavering commitment to embracing all facets of her identity. Her words rang clear as she shared, “The way that the [SI Swimsuit] brand has evolved and has become such a positive spotlight for women to tell their stories and to spread awesome messages of being strong, sexy, and beautiful, I knew that was something I wanted to be part of.”

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Read more: Who Is Julz Dunne? Here?s How She Helped Olivia Dunne Create Her $6,000,000 NCAA Wealth

Months have passed, but Livvy’s impact remains. Her Puerto Rico photoshoot continues to blaze across the internet. The videos and photos radiate a timeless charm that have captured the hearts of many.

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Christaline Meyers

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Christaline Meyers is a senior Olympics writer at EssentiallySports who specializes in gymnastics and alpine skiing. Christaline is one of the acclaimed authorities in the coverage of 6x All-Around champion, Simone Biles. She has written extensively, covering every detail of Biles’s life stories as well as providing her perspective on Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike controversy. Beyond the gymnastics realm, Christaline also takes an avid interest in the development of the on-field rivalry between Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhova in the snow-covered alps. When away from the ES Desk, she can be found meditating and listening to music.

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Purva Jain

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