Look: Exclusive Behind the Scenes of LSU Gymnast Olivia Dunne’s 2023 SI Swimsuit Photo Shoot

The NCAA athlete was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico and makes her debut with the magazine this May.

Olivia Dunne, SI Swimsuit’s newest 2023 model, makes her debut in the magazine this May. The LSU gymnast, who is the highest-paid female college athlete in the country, has had a sensational rise to fame. As a result of the NCAA’s name, image and likeness (NIL) rules, Dunne has been able to enter into major brand deals with companies like Vuori and American Eagle. Those sponsorships, in addition to the monetization of her social media platforms—which have amassed more than 11 million followers across Instagram and TikTok—add up to the New Jersey native’s seven-figure salary.

“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,” SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day explained. “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.”

The 20-year-old, who said she feels her most authentic self when she’s letting loose and not taking life too seriously, was a total hoot to have on set.

Below are some of our favorite exclusive behind the scenes images from her photo shoot with Ben Watts in Puerto Rico.

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Meet Olivia Dunne—read the 2023 SI Swimsuit model’s full feature profile here.


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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.