If you’ve spent any time on social media over the last two years, you’ve seen them. The "mysterious man who never smiles" and the blonde gymnast with enough NIL deals to buy a small island. It’s almost a cliché at this point. The superstar pitcher and the influencer athlete. But honestly? The reality of Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne is way less "Hollywood script" and a lot more "two kids trying to survive a long-distance relationship while being the most famous people in the room."
It’s 2026. Paul Skenes isn’t just a rookie with a triple-digit heater anymore; he’s the reigning National League Cy Young winner. Olivia "Livvy" Dunne isn’t just an LSU student; she’s a retired college legend with a $2 million Manhattan apartment and a Maxim cover. Yet, despite the private jets and the red carpets, people still treat their relationship like a PR stunt. They’re wrong.
The Baton Rouge Origins of Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne
Most fans think they met through some high-level talent agency or at a VIP party in Los Angeles. Nope. It was actually way more mundane. They both went to LSU, though Paul started his journey at the Air Force Academy. In a 2024 interview with GQ, the couple revealed their first date was basically just getting ice cream. Simple.
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Livvy admitted she actually saw him around campus before they ever spoke. She called him a "tall, mysterious man." Paul, on the other hand, was just focused on throwing 102 mph. They officially confirmed they were a thing in August 2023, right around the time Skenes was the No. 1 overall pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
People forget that when they started dating, Paul was just a college kid with a mustache. He wasn't a household name yet. He told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette early on that the spotlight could be a "pain in the butt." He just wanted her to be able to go to a game and enjoy it without a thousand cameras in her face. That didn't happen, obviously.
Why 2025 Changed Everything
If 2024 was the year the world met them, 2025 was the year they conquered it. Paul didn’t just pitch; he dominated. He became the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden in the mid-80s to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young in back-to-back seasons.
- The Stats: 21-13 record over his first two seasons.
- The ERA: A ridiculous 1.96 career mark.
- The Strikeouts: 386 and counting.
While he was mowing down hitters in Pittsburgh, Livvy was wrapping up her "fifth year" at LSU. She took a lot of heat for that decision. People on TikTok were saying she only stayed for the NIL money—which, let's be real, was around $9.5 million. But she clapped back, pointing out that male quarterbacks stay for fifth years all the time without anyone batting an eye.
She officially retired from gymnastics on April 17, 2025. Since then, the dynamic has shifted. She’s no longer tied to a gym in Baton Rouge 40 hours a week. Now, she’s the one on the private jet to Buffalo to hang out with Josh Allen or walking the red carpet at the All-Star Game.
The New Year, New Look Controversy
Just a few weeks ago, at the start of 2026, Paul did the unthinkable. He shaved the mustache.
Livvy posted a TikTok—because of course she did—using that viral "She's bald!" audio. She called him a "baby face cutie," but the internet went into a tailspin. It’s funny how a piece of facial hair becomes part of a professional athlete's "brand," but that’s the world Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne live in. Everything is content. Even a shave.
Dealing with the "Pirates Problem"
There is a massive elephant in the room when it comes to this couple: Pittsburgh.
Paul is under team control through 2029, but the rumors are already swirling. In late 2025, Pirates GM Ben Cherington had to explicitly state that Skenes would be a Pirate in 2026. Why? Because fans are terrified he’s going to pull a "Gerrit Cole" and head to the Yankees or the Dodgers the second he gets the chance.
The deal Kyle Tucker just signed with the Dodgers—$240 million—sent shockwaves through the industry. Everyone knows the Pirates can't afford that. And everyone knows Livvy is already building a life in New York and Florida.
"He has a job to do and I have a job to do," Livvy told PEOPLE. "I know that’s so important for two young kids in a relationship to realize."
They seem committed to making it work, but the logistics are a nightmare. She splits time between NYC and Jupiter, Florida. He’s in Pittsburgh for six months a year. They spent their 2025 offseason on a "bae-cation" in Europe and Hawaii, and they even did a USO Tour together on a Navy aircraft carrier. They’re putting in the miles, but the MLB trade rumors aren't going away.
The Business of Being "The Couple"
Let’s talk money. Livvy is a powerhouse. She isn't just "the girlfriend." She’s an entrepreneur who charges $125,000 per sponsored post. She launched "The Livvy Fund" to help other female athletes navigate the NIL world because, as she put it, there aren't many professional leagues for women’s sports after college.
Paul, meanwhile, is just starting to see the real MLB money. He’s already banked over $10 million in signing bonuses and awards, but his real payday is years away. In a weird way, she’s the veteran in this relationship when it comes to fame. She’s been dealing with the "crazy fan" energy since she was a teenager.
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What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that their relationship is a "distraction."
Critics love to point to Paul’s occasional losses and blame the "influencer lifestyle." But look at the numbers. The guy has a sub-2.00 ERA. If that’s what a "distracted" pitcher looks like, every manager in baseball would be praying for their ace to date a TikTok star.
They actually have a very strict "one rule" policy: No leashes.
They don't restrict what the other person does. They understand that their careers are short. She’s leaning into modeling and her Maxim era, and he’s leaning into becoming the best pitcher on the planet. They support each other, but they don't smother each other. It’s surprisingly mature for two 23-year-olds.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Skenes-Dunne Era
If you’re trying to keep up with the most famous couple in sports, here is the "insider" way to do it without falling for the clickbait:
- Watch the Pirates' Spending: Paul’s future in Pittsburgh depends on whether the team actually tries to win. If they keep finishing last in the NL Central, the trade talk will get louder, and the "power couple" might be moving to a bigger market sooner than you think.
- Follow the Brand, Not the Rumors: Livvy is transitiong from "college athlete" to "global brand." Watch her partnerships with companies like Sports Illustrated and Maxim. That’s where her long-term future lies, not just on TikTok.
- Check the "Away" Games: Some of the best content of the couple comes from when Livvy travels to Paul’s road games. She’s often spotted in the stands at stadiums like Wrigley Field or Dodger Stadium.
- Ignore the "Mustache" Noise: It’ll grow back. Or it won't. Either way, focus on the 100-mph fastballs. That’s what keeps the lights on.
The reality of Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne is that they are two elite performers who happened to find each other at the exact moment their careers exploded. They aren't trying to be the next Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, even if the media is trying to force that narrative. They’re just Paul and Livvy. And for now, that seems to be more than enough.