Olivia Dunne Defends Boyfriend Paul Skenes' Subdued Reaction After He Wins NL Rookie of the Year

Mar. 15, 2025

Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes look loved up in a photo on her Instagram.Photo:Olivia Dunne/Instagram

Olivia Dunne/Instagram

Olivia Dunneis cheering on — as always — her boyfriendPaul Skenes.

Skenes, 22, won the National League’s Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award on Monday, Nov. 18 and Dunne, also 22, was there to celebrate with the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher after Cal Ripken Jr. announced his selection.

“Just a rookie and his cookie,” Dunne wrote over the photo of Skenes and the cake.

Paul Skenes wins NL Rookie of the Year and celebrates with girlfriend Olivia Dunne.Olivia Dunne/Instagram

Skenes' reaction during the MLB Network announcement, however, sparked discourse from fans who questioned the exchange between the pitcher and Dunne, who appeared unsurprised and a bit stoic.

Before Dunne told her boyfriend she’s proud of him, the couple seemed to awkwardly smile while reacting to Skenes' honor.

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“Bro doesn’t even look excited,” one userwroteon X.

Anothersaid, “When your girlfriend is way more excited than you are. What a moment. Dude you won…try celebrating.”

Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne at the 2024 All-Star Red Carpet Show in Texas.Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty

Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty

Dunne shared a video from the evening onTikTokand addressed Skenes' reaction when one fan commented, “Looks like yall had an argument before it was announced.”

“He just the king of nonchalant,” Dunne replied.

Speaking toMLB.comafter his selection, Skenes said, “It’s cool,” over a Zoom call. He added, “And it’s an honor. I think it’s just a product of showing up each day and doing the work, and I think the results are going to take care of themselves.”

Dunne and Skenes met as student-athletes at LSU and began dating in 2023.

In June 2024, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Dunne waswearing Skenes' jerseyat the College World Series, prompting rumors of a romance.

In August 2023, Skenesconfirmedhis relationship with the popular content creator during an interview with thePittsburgh Post-Gazette, and they later revealed that they met through mutual friends.

source: people.com