Former LSU Gymnast Livvy Dunne Reveals Pain During Sports Illustrated Cover Shoot

Former LSU gymnast Olivia “Livvy” Dunne revealed she shot her 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover while suffering from a painful fractured kneecap sustained earlier in March, an injury that ended her collegiate gymnastics season. Despite the injury causing discomfort during poses, including kneeling in the sand for the cover shot in Bermuda, Dunne considered the experience well worth the pain and described it as a dream come true. The shoot took place shortly after her injury, and Dunne only spent 24 hours on the island before returning to LSU for class. With over 13 million social media followers and significant NIL earnings, Dunne has transitioned from gymnastics to becoming a prominent influencer and cover model, joining fellow cover stars like Jordan Chiles, Salma Hayek, and Lauren Chan. She also attended the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit party in New York City alongside celebrities such as 50 Cent and Rob Gronkowski. Dunne’s perseverance and dedication amid injury have drawn comparisons to iconic athletes who competed through pain, underscoring her commitment to her new career chapter.