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

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne in 2024.Photo:Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty

Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty

GymnastOlivia “Livvy” Dunneand her boyfriend, professional baseball playerPaul Skenes, are quite the power couple.

After the student-athletes met at Louisiana State University through mutual acquaintances, they sparked romance rumors when Dunne was seenwearing his jerseyat 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 thePittsburgh Post-Gazette.

In May 2024, Dunne was in the stands when Skenes made his MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs. “Way to go Bucco,” she wrote onInstagramfollowing her boyfriend’s career milestone.

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

Paul Skenes playing baseball when he was younger.Paul Skenes Instagram

Paul Skenes Instagram

According to his LSU profile, Skenes grew up in Lake Forest, Calif., 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 inThe Daily Advertiser.

He attended the Air Force Academy

Paul Skenes with his Air Force Academy class.Paul Skenes Instagram

Skenes attended the Air Force Academy for two years before transferring to LSU for his junior year. In an interview withBRProud.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

Olivia Dunne with her boyfriend Paul Skenes at a LSU football game.Paul Skenes/Instagram

Paul Skenes/Instagram

Skenes attendedthe 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.

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

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

He’s 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

Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/Getty

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

While pitching for the Bradenton Marauders, a Single-A minor league team,MLB.comestimated that he’ll reach the majors in 2024, which he did. Over Mother’s Day 2024 weekend, he was called up to the major leagues andhelped the Pittsburgh Piratesface off against the Cubs.

He was the National League’s 2024 Rookie of the Year

Dunne further fueled the fire when she posted a photo onTikTokof her and Skenes sitting awkwardly beside each other as they awaited Cal Ripken Jr.’s selection.

“He just the king of nonchalant,” she wrote in response to a fan who said, “Looks like yall had an argument before it was announced.”

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

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

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.

Later that same month, Skenesconfirmed his relationship with Dunnein an interview withThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Dunne is his biggest fan

Olivia Dunne posing for a picture at a baseball game.Olivia Dunne Instagram

Olivia Dunne Instagram

Dunne and Skenes first sparked dating rumors when she was spottedwearing his jerseyat the College World Series in June 2023 — when the Tigers won the NCAA National Championship. The following month, Dunne further fueled speculation when sheshared a photoon 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 isthe 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 onTikTokthat said, “POV: you both wake up from a nap andfind out he’s in the MLB.”

During thebroadcast, 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

Olivia Dunne and her boyfriend Paul Skenes at an event.Olivia Dunne/Instagram

Olivia Dunne/Instagram

When it comes to his support of Dunne, Skenes even allowed his girlfriend to give him a taste of what a workout is really like for a gymnast. In aTikTok videothat she shared in October 2024, Dunne shared how Skenes held up doing different gymnastics exercises.

The verdict? According to Dunne, though Skenes is “not very aerodynamic,” she did praise him after he “overcame his fear” of walking across the balance beam.

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 donationof $10 toFolds of Honorfor 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 hisfundraising 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.”

He and Dunne are “complete opposites”

Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne in 2024.Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty

Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty

In October 2024, Dunne told PEOPLE that while she and Skenes are very different, those differences mean they’re “like yin and yang.” While she loves social media, her boyfriend “doesn’t even have social media on his phone.”

“I think that we play off of one another and make each other better,” Dunne said. “Paul definitely holds me accountable, which I really appreciate. Sometimes it’s hard to find it within yourself to do things.”

She went on to praise his “work ethic,” adding, “It’s very cool to hear his advice for me, and I feel like that made me a better athlete last year.”

source: people.com