Olivia Dunne stuns in behind-the-scenes SI Swimsuit video as she tries on dazzling bikinis for her cover shoot

Olivia Dunnehas made headlines once again—this time as one of the cover stars of the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. After gracing the magazine’s pages for two consecutive years, the former LSU gymnast has officially taken center stage.And while her cover shot exudes glamor, the journey behind it tells a tale of grit, hustle, and unexpected twists.In a candid behind-the-scenes video shared on social media, Livvy Dunne took fans along for the whirlwind 24-hour shoot in Bermuda. The trip was squeezed in between college meets and class commitments. What made the experience even more remarkable was the physical toll it took. “It kinda hurt, but it was honestly so worth it,” Dunne admitted, revealing that the entire shoot was done on a fractured kneecap—an injury she hadn’t realized was that serious at the time.The 21-year-old gymnast, known not just for her athletic prowess but also for her powerful social media presence, added another surprising detail: she had no idea she was even shooting for the cover. “I had no idea I was even shooting for a cover, but I was so excited,” she said, describing the moment with genuine surprise and joy.In the brief span of her Bermuda trip, Dunne fit in everything from swimsuit fittings to hair and makeup, while also sharing snippets of her resort stay and meals with her fans. Just hours after wrapping up the shoot, she was back on campus for her Monday meetings—showing the kind of work ethic that often goes unnoticed.One of four women to grace this year’s cover—alongside Salma Hayek, Jordan Chiles, and Lauren Chan—Dunne paid tribute to her LSU roots with striking tiger-print swimsuits. Despite the pain and pressure, she delivered effortlessly on camera.Yet, Dunne’s journey hasn’t been without criticism. “People like to discredit what I do because of the way I look,” she said in her interview with SI Swimsuit. “But if you take a deeper dive there’s so much more.” She added, “This was years in the making. It didn’t come to me easily, and I think that’s a big misconception.”Now retired from college gymnastics, Dunne has transitioned into full-time modeling and influencing, with over 5 million Instagram followers. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, MLB pitcher Paul Skenes, continues to battle challenges on the field—despite throwing a stellar complete game recently for the Pirates.Also Read: How a friend’s decision to give beer at Pirates game may have led to a deadly accident at PNC Park