Olivia Dunne isn’t just flipping through the air for LSU gymnastics—she’s been flipping the script on what it means to be a college athlete in the social media era. With over 12 million followers, “Livvy” has become a household name by blending NCAA dominance with viral TikTok fame, proving she’s as unstoppable in leotards as she is in trending tabs.
But while fans know her for gravity-defying routines and brand deals, there’s one topic that’s got everyone leaning in: What’s the deal with Livvy’s background and beliefs? From her Jersey roots to whispers about her faith, let’s understand what we actually know about the superstar gymnast’s ethnicity and religious belief.
What is Olivia Dunne’s ethnicity?
Olivia Dunne’s background is as mixed and lively as her gymnastics performances. Born in New Jersey in 2002, this LSU star doesn’t talk much about her family history, fans pieced it together using her TikTok hints and websites like EthniCelebs.com. Her mom’s side has Italian roots—her maternal grandfather was born to Charles Patterson and Rosalia D’Angelo, making her an Italian-American. Olivia also shared in a TikTok that her dad, David Dunne, has Irish, German, Scottish, and long-time American ancestry. Put simply: Olivia’s got a blend of European roots mixed with classic Jersey energy.
Her success isn’t about where her family’s from—it’s about what they’ve passed down. Her mom Katherine went from being a Rutgers gymnast to a tech executive, and her dad David juggled college football before becoming a lawyer. Olivia? She’s smashed gymnastics records and social media fame, showing that hard work beats DNA any day. Sure, her heritage adds color, but it’s her grind—not her genes—that keeps her winning.
What is Olivia Dunne’s religion?
Olivia Dunne made waves in August 2024 when she tossed up a TikTok that had nothing to do with gymnastics or fashion. Instead, the LSU star shared a clip of herself diving into the Bible verses, captioning “on repeat in my brain.” The video blew up fast, reminding fans that Dunne’s faith isn’t just a side note—it’s central to her hustle. With over 5 million followers, she’s no stranger to mixing devotionals and Scripture into her feed, openly crediting her Christian beliefs for keeping her steady through the grind of NCAA competitions.
Olivia Dunne’s Christian faith isn’t a secret. She’s upfront about leaning on Scripture to stay strong through the chaos of elite gymnastics—the wins, the losses, and everything in between.
And she’s not alone. Her boyfriend, Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, backs it up too: He stenciled 2 Timothy 1:7 (“God gave us a spirit of power, love, and discipline”) onto his All-Star Game glove. For both athletes, faith isn’t just talk—it’s what keeps them grounded, whether they’re nailing routines or fastballs.
These days Dunne is sticking up for fairness, by formally challenging the proposed $2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement. Dunne joined fellow athletes in calling out gender disparities in how NIL damages would be divided, arguing the plan sidelines female athletes in non-revenue sports. Her Zoom testimony at the final approval hearing grabbed headlines, spotlighting the uphill battle women face in the evolving NIL landscape. Whether the judge listens or not, Dunne’s move proves one thing: She’s as fierce in courtrooms as she is on the beam.
The post Is Olivia Dunne Christian? Everything To Know About Olivia Dunne’s Ethnicity and Religion appeared first on EssentiallySports.
