Who Is Olivia Dunne’s Boyfriend? All About the MLB Player Paul Skenes

Olivia “Livvy” Dunne and her boyfriend, professional baseball player Paul Skenes, are not shy about their love.

After the student-athletes met at Louisiana State University through mutual acquaintances, they began fueling dating rumors when Dunne was seen wearing his jersey at the June 2023 College World Series.

Two months later, Skenes, then an MLB prospect who signed a historic contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, confirmed their relationship during an interview with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He also shared his “desire” for her to attend his baseball games and enjoy the experience, which was inconvenient when the talented gymnast attracted the crowd’s attention with her presence.

Fast forward to May 2024, Dunne was in the stands when Skenes made his MLB debut as Pittsburgh faced the Chicago Cubs. In the months leading up to the emotional moment, the couple began sharing more glimpses of their romance, making the milestone all the sweeter.

In the meantime, Skenes is supportive of Dunne and her distinguished gymnastics career at LSU, where she will go this spring as she explores her next steps.

So who is Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend? Here’s everything you need to know about Paul Skenes and his relationship with the gymnast.

He is from Lake Forest, California

Paul Skenes played baseball when he was younger.

Instagram by Paul Skenes

According to his LSU profile, Skenes grew up in Lake Forest, California, which is located in Orange County

He played baseball for El Toro High School, where athletic director Armando Rivas said he was a “smiling and cheerful” teenager who was “a joy to be around,” according to an interview in Daily Advertiser.

He attended the Aviation Military Academy

Paul Skenes with his Air Academy class.

Instagram by Paul Skenes

Skenes attended the Air Force Academy for two years before transferring to LSU for his freshman year. In an interview with BRProud.com, he said he still hopes to serve in the military whenever his baseball career ends.

“I would say serving is still in the cards because it’s something you can start doing when you’re 40, 50,” he said. “But I think, to be honest, you only get one shot in baseball, and that’s my goal right now.”

When asked how his experience with the Air Force Academy affected him, he explained that it included the “discipline” that stayed with him.

“You get there on day one and start 37 days of basic training,” he said. “You’re forced to understand life really… Those 37 days, I never want to do it again, but it 100% shaped who I am today.”

He and Dunne attended Louisiana State University

Olivia Dunne with her boyfriend Paul Skenes at an LSU football game.

Paul Skenes/Instagram

Skenes attended the school for one year, during which he helped the baseball team win the 2023 Men’s College World Series. He was also named the 2023 National Player of the Year, the 2023 National Pitcher of the Year and the 2023 College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

As it turned out, Dunnes and Skenes were introduced by mutual friends. In his interview with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he discovered that his roommate’s best friend at LSU was dating Dunne’s roommate. Skenes described it as a “small world thing”.

In July 2023, Dunne launched The Livvy Fund to “provide opportunities exclusively for female athletes at LSU,” according to a press release.

“I am so excited to build on the momentum of women in sports by using the brand relationships I have built to help empower LSU female student-athletes with knowledge and help them succeed in the NIL space,” she told PEOPLE.

A few months later, Skenes and Dunne attended an LSU football game, where he was reunited with several of his baseball buddies.

He is a professional baseball player

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes #23 during the MiLB Florida Complex League (Rookie) regular season game between the FCL Twins and the FCL Pirates on August 10, 2023 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida.

Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/Getty

Skenes is a professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise.

Skenes, who was the No. 1 overall draft pick, received a significant MLB contract when he signed with the Pirates in July 2023. He earned a $9.2 million signing bonus, surpassing the previous record held by Spencer Torkelson, who signed for 8, $4 million with the Detroit Tigers in 2020.

While pitching for the Bradenton Marauders, a minor league team, MLB.com projected him to reach the majors in 2024, which he did. He was called up to the majors over Mother’s Day weekend 2024 and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates face the Cubs.

He confirmed his relationship with Dunne in August 2023

Livvy Dunne at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. ; LSU Tigers right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes.

Michael Buckner/Penske Media/Getty; John Korduner/Icon Sportswire/Getty

In August 2023, Dunne did not dismiss dating rumors when one person claimed she was seeing a professional baseball player.

A Florida-based hairstylist named Madison, who goes by The Blonde Muse on TikTok, posted a video after the run. She shared the clip with the caption: “walked behind a girl at shake shack thinking ‘she’d look good with blonde extensions’ and THAT’S LIVI DUNNE AND HER MLB BF.”

In the caption, Madison added, “I almost said hello.” After seeing the clip, Dunne responded in the comments section, writing, “oh you should have said hi!💞 always up for some hair fixes 👀.”

The next day, Dunne spliced ​​the video with footage of herself getting blonde hair from Madison. Several comments on the video questioned or emphasized the term “MLB BF,” with many assuming that the boy in question was Skenes.

Later that same month, Skenes confirmed his relationship with Dunne in an interview with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Dunne is his biggest fan

Olivia Dunne poses for a picture at a baseball game.

Olivia Dunne on Instagram

Dunne and Skenes first sparked dating rumors when she was spotted wearing his jersey at the College World Series in June 2023 — when the Tigers won the NCAA National Championship. The following month, Dunne further fueled speculation as to when he shared the photo on Snapchat geotagged in Bradenton, Florida, where Skenes plays for the Pirates franchise.

Another picture shows Dunne posing with a Pirates baseball cap, but eagle-eyed fans also noticed a black baseball glove on the coffee table next to her, which same brand and color as the glove Skenes uses.

When Skenes made his MLB debut in May 2024 after the Pirates called him up for the first time, Dunne was there to cheer him on. After he received the call, she shared a video of herself dancing around on TikTok with the caption: “POV: You both wake up from your nap to find he’s in the MLB.”

During broadcastDunne said she and Skenes “hit the road” for Pittsburgh as soon as he got the call.

“I have so many amazing memories with him, but I know how hard he worked for this moment,” she said. “All the hours, I just know what a hard worker he is. This is probably one of my favorite moments I’ve ever seen. Seriously, there’s nothing that can top this. I’m just so proud,”

He’s rooting for Dunne

Olivia Dunne and her boyfriend Paul Skenes at an event.

Olivia Dunne/Instagram

In April 2024, the LSU Tigers gymnastics team secured its first national championship victory. Skenes celebrated his girlfriend’s major college achievement by reposting a photo on Instagram of Dunne holding the big trophy.

He supports veterans through Folds of Honor

Given his background in the Air Force, Skenes looked for ways to support military families while continuing his athletic career. During his 2023 LSU season, he pledged a $10 donation to Folds of Honor for every strikeout.

Folds of Honor is a non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to children and spouses of military personnel and first responders who have died or become disabled while serving.

“All who wear or have worn our country’s military uniform have made tremendous sacrifices for our great nation,” Skenes wrote on his fundraising page. “An unfortunate few bear the physical or mental scars of war or have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

He continued, “We must do everything we can to support those in uniform of our nation’s military who have chosen to protect and defend the United States of America. Please join me in supporting this community this season.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education