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

Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes confirmed their relationship in August 2023

Olivia "Livvy" Dunne and her boyfriend, professional baseball player Paul Skenes, aren't shy about their love for each other.

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

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

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

Meanwhile, Skenes is supportive of Dunne and her distinguished gymnastics career at LSU, where she'll be departing this spring and exploring the next steps.

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

He is from Lake Forest, California

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 happy-go-lucky” teenager who was “a pleasure to be around,” according to an interview in The Daily Advertiser.

He attended the Air Force Academy

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

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

When asked how his experience with the Air Force Academy influenced him, he explained that it involved "discipline" that has stayed with him.

“You get there the first day and you start 37 days of basic training," he said. "You’re forced to figure out life really ... Those 37 days, I never want to do that again but it’s 100% shaped who I am today.”

He and Dunne attended Louisiana State University

Skenes attended the school for a 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, 2023 National Pitcher of the Year and 2023 College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

As it turns out, Dunnes and Skenes were introduced to each other by mutual friends. In his interview with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he revealed that his roommate his best friend at LSU was dating Dunne's roommate. Skenes described it as a "a small-world type of thing."

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

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

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

He’s a professional baseball player

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

Skenes, who was the No. 1 draft pick, received a landmark MLB contract when he signed with the Pirates in July 2023. He earned a $9.2 million signing bonus, which exceeds 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 Single-A minor league team, MLB.com estimated that he’ll reach the majors in 2024, which he did. Over Mother's Day 2024 weekend, he was called up to the major league and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates face off against the Cubs.

He confirmed his relationship with Dunne in August 2023

In August 2023, Dunne didn't shut down dating rumors when a person claimed to see her out and about with a pro baseball player.

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

In the caption, Madison added, "i almost said hi." Upon seeing the clip, Dunne responded in the comments section, writing, "aw you should’ve said hi!💞 always down for some hair touch-ups tho 👀."

The next day, Dunne stitched the video with a clip of herself getting blonde extensions from Madison. Several of the comments on the video asked about or emphasized the phrase “MLB BF,” with many assuming the boyfriend in question was Skenes.

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

Dunne is his biggest fan

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 when she shared a photo on Snapchat that was geotagged in Bradenton, Florida, where Skenes plays for the Pirates franchise.

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

When Skenes made his MLB debut in May 2024 after the Pirates called him up to pitch for the first time, Dunne was there to cheer him on. After he got the call, she shared a video of herself dancing around on TikTok that said, "POV: you both wake up from a nap and find out he’s in the MLB."

During the broadcast, Dunne said that 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’s 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 is nothing that can top this. I’m just so proud,"

He cheers on Dunne

In April 2024, the LSU Tigers gymnastics team secured their first-ever national championship win. Skenes celebrated his girlfriend's major collegiate accomplishment by reposting a photo on Instagram of Dunne holding the massive trophy.

He supports veterans through Folds of Honor

Given his Air Force experience, Skenes has sought ways to support military families as he pursues his athletic career. During his 2023 LSU season, he pledged a donation of $10 to Folds of Honor for each strikeout.

Folds of Honor is a non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of military personnel and first responders who died or became disabled during their service.

“All who wear, or have worn, our country's military uniforms 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 the 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.”

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