All About Paul Skenes' Girlfriend Livvy Dunne and Their Relationship
Paul Skenes' girlfriend, Olivia (Livvy) Dunne, has attracted almost as much attention off the field as Skenes has on the mound. The LSU gymnast-turned-social media superstar has been dating Skenes for about two years. The pair met at Louisiana State University, where both were student-athletes in 2023.
Skenes, the rising MLB pitching phenom, is a 6-feet, 6-inches tall right-hander who led LSU to a national title in 2023. He became the first player ever to win the College World Series, be named its Most Outstanding Player, and go No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft, all in the same year. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Skenes wasted no time making an impact in pro ball; by 2024, he was already showcasing triple-digit fastballs in the majors and even earned the National League Rookie of the Year award in his debut season. While Paul Skenes' stats and fast-moving career are fascinating, we're here to take a peek into what his life looks like away from baseball. So, here's what we know about how he and Dunne first met, their journey together so far and the way they handle their relationship in the spotlight.
- Paul Skenes is dating Livvy Dunne. They have been together since 2023.
- Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne met at Louisiana State University.
- Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne have a dog named Roux.
In this article:
- Who is Paul Skenes' Girlfriend, Livvy Dunne?
- How Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne Met
- Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne's Relationship Timeline
- How the Couple Handles Life in the Spotlight
Who is Paul Skenes' Girlfriend, Livvy Dunne?
Olivia "Livvy" Dunne, 22, is far more than an MLB girlfriend (though she's totally embracing the baseball WAG vibe, as seen in a fun TikTok she posted in June 2024). She's an accomplished college gymnast for LSU, a social media influencer with a massive online fanbase and even a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. She's also the highest-earning female college athlete in the nation, capitalizing on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals thanks to her viral popularity.
In July 2023, Dunne founded The Livvy Fund to help connect female LSU student-athletes with brands and secure their own partnerships, earning a spot on Forbes's 30 Under 30 and Top Creators lists. "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," Dunne told People. "I've been so blessed these past couple years with the opportunities I've been given, and I can't wait to be able to share my knowledge with others and support them in their NIL journeys."
By 2025, Paul Skenes' girlfriend amassed over 13 million followers between TikTok and Instagram, turning her into one of the most recognizable college athletes in the country. That popularity has opened many doors—she has partnered with major brands, generated millions in sponsorships, and in 202,3 achieved a "dream come true" by being featured in the iconic SI Swimsuit Issue.
How Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne Met
Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne's worlds first collided on LSU's campus, where both were student-athletes in 2023. The meeting wasn't a star-crossed coincidence so much as a classic college setup—mutual friends introduced them. In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Skenes revealed that his best friend at LSU was dating Dunne's roommate (fellow LSU gymnast and TikTok personality Elena Marenas), which led to Livvy and Paul getting to know each other casually. "Just a small-world type of thing," Skenes said of their introduction.
At the time, Skenes was busy dominating on the baseball diamond, and Dunne was captivating millions with her viral gymnastics clips. Neither was looking to become a media sensation as a couple—but that's exactly what happened next. The pair kept their budding relationship low-key at first, but rumors began swirling among LSU fans and on social media by mid-2023. Observant fans noticed Dunne posting playful hints that summer—including a TikTok in June where Dunne sported an LSU baseball jersey with Skenes' name and number, cheering on the Tigers during their College World Series run.
Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne's Relationship Timeline
Here's a look at the couple's timeline, from the moment they met to where they are now.
June 2023: Rumors of Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne's relationship spark
Paul Skenes' girlfriend first raised eyebrows about a possible romance when she was spotted wearing Skenes' jersey during LSU's College World Series games. At the time, the pitcher was leading LSU to a national championship on the field while fans on social media speculated that the two might be more than just friends.
August 2023: Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne's romance is confirmed
Skenes confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he and Dunne were indeed dating in August 2023, officially putting the rumors to rest. In the interview, Skenes opened up about the challenges of dating an internet celebrity. "I do wish she could come to a baseball game and just enjoy it. It does irk me. I don't have any control over it. She really doesn't either. I'm sure it'll get better as I go up levels, but that's something I want for her," he said, noting how Dunne can't go anywhere without fans swarming her for selfies.
September 2023: Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne are Instagram official
The couple became Instagram official with their first public photo together in September 2023. Livvy Dunne's boyfriend posted a cozy snapshot of the pair at an LSU football game in Baton Rouge, with a caption that says, "Back in the boot!" In the photo, Skenes, fresh off his pro baseball debut, smiles in an LSU polo and cap, while Dunne beams in a bright LSU-yellow sundress.
October 2023: Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne welcome a new puppy
Dunne and Skenes adopted an adorable golden retriever puppy they named Roux. Dunne shared a "here's what you missed this month!" photo dump on Instagram, highlighting their recent life updates—including two photos of Dunne sitting in a car with their new dog. While that may have been the first pics of their new pup, they certainly weren't the last. They made Roux an IG account of her own, with plenty more adorable photos.
November 2023: Livvy Dunne opens up about balancing privacy
By now, Skenes and Dunne's romance is firmly in the public eye, but that doesn't mean they're sharing everything. In an interview with People, Paul Skenes' girlfriend opened up about learning to keep parts of her life offline. She explained how, initially, they tried to keep the relationship private, but once fans spotted them together, they had to acknowledge it. "I've definitely learned over the past few years that, this past year mostly, that keeping certain things private is okay," Dunne said, reflecting on setting boundaries between her public influencer persona and her personal life.
May 2024: Paul Skenes' MLB debut
Skenes played his first Major League game as a Pittsburgh Pirate on May 11, 2024. He pitched against the Chicago Cubs, going on to win 10-9 with Skenes striking out seven over four innings. The Pittsburgh Pirates posted a video to X, showcasing Skenes' debut.
July 2024: Paul Skenes is named a 2024 MLB All-Star
Just two months into his MLB career, Skenes was named a 2024 MLB All-Star—and not just an All-Star (or "Paul-Star," as Dunne put it) but the National League's starting pitcher for the Mid-Summer Classic. When Skenes received the news, Dunne surprised him (captured in a video she shared on TikTok) with an impromptu celebration featuring balloons, pizza and a bottle of bubbles.
November 2024: Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne return to LSU on GameDay
To cap off a whirlwind year, the power couple returned to where it all started: LSU. Skenes and Dunne served as guest celebrity pickers on ESPN's College GameDay when the show visited Baton Rouge for the LSU versus Alabama football game.
April 2025: Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne are featured in GQ
The Pirates Player and his girlfriend were featured in GQ, sporting all kinds of amazing outfits. Dunne posted a series of photos from the shoot on her Instagram account, including a photo with Roux.
How the Couple Handles Life in the Spotlight
Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne have spoken about the learning curve that comes with being a young, famous couple. They've learned to keep certain parts of their relationship private and to maintain a balance when it comes to their public lives.
"This year I have the best grasp on it," Paul Skenes' girlfriend said in an interview with People. "The past few years, juggling NIL or ever since my sophomore year, since the summer of 2021, I've definitely had a hard time finding balance. That's really important because if you don't have balance, that can affect your mental health. I finally feel like I got a grasp on it this year. It's just compartmentalizing things mentally is very important in my everyday routine."