Being a social media influencer might feel like a dime a dozen these days, but keeping the momentum going is where the real challenge lies. Olivia Dunne, former LSU gymnastics standout, has done just that, building a massive following of over 5.3 million on Instagram alone, even after her college career ended. While Olivia’s talent put her in the spotlight, it’s her sister Julz who’s quietly masterminding the strategy behind the scenes. Olivia once called Julz the “Brains Behind the Operation,” and with Olivia’s recent success, Julz’s role in her sister’s achievements feels even more undeniable. And of course, Julz has something powerful to share about it.
Just a few days back, Dunne just did something huge. She’s been making waves for a minute now, but this time? She landed her debut as a cover model for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. And it’s actually her third year in a row showing up in the magazine! How crazy is that? She’s sharing the spotlight with some major names too: Salma Hayek Pinault, Lauren Chan, and her fellow gymnast Jordan Chiles. But the real buzz came on May 31st!
Well, Olivia Dunne made her runway debut at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit showcase. She stepped out in this bold zebra-print bikini, totally eye-catching, and with her blonde hair looking flawless. You already know she was serving confidence like only Livvy can. And here’s the kicker: mid-walk, she hit a gymnastic split that had the whole crowd losing it. Everyone was cheering like crazy! Her sister Julz was so hyped, she instantly shared a story on Instagram showing Olivia posing like the queen she is.
The whole event was set outdoors at night, with palm trees swaying in the background and warm, moody lights all around. Olivia Dunne stood center stage, arms thrown up high in a victory pose like she’d just won gold. Behind her, this huge, colorful digital backdrop lit up the scene with the “Sports Illustrated SWIMSUIT” logo. Photographers were snapping away nonstop, trying to capture every moment. And of course, Julz couldn’t help but drop a simple but perfect comment: “Unreal.” Seriously, watching Olivia just owning that runway? Best.
And here’s the best part: Olivia even shared a video of herself on the runway, which Julz had filmed from the stands. When Olivia nailed that jaw-dropping split, Julz captioned it simply, “she.did.that.” Julz even posted a photo of her with the caption, “#1 fan from the floor to the runway.” Seriously, could Olivia have done it without Julz’s support? Not a chance.
The hidden genius behind Olivia Dunne’s social media empire
Behind Olivia Dunne’s viral content and polished posts is someone you might not expect—her sister, Julz Dunne. Far more than just family, Julz is the creative engine powering Olivia’s social media success. While her own Instagram features vibrant travel photos and chic event snaps, her real magic happens off-camera. Julz writes the captions, shoots the videos, and perfects the edits that fuel Olivia’s online brand. In the LSU docuseries The Money Game, Olivia gave her sister full credit, saying, “Julz isn’t just helping— he’s the brains behind those viral posts.”
Even Julz graduated from LSU in May 2023 with a degree in kinesiology, focusing on physical activity and health. She’s played a major behind-the-scenes role in building Olivia Dunne’s brand. With Julz’s creative direction, Olivia rose to become the highest-paid female athlete and the top NIL earner during her college career, though now, like Julz, she’s moved on from campus life. That success has opened doors to partnerships with top brands like Vuori, American Eagle, Forever 21, Nautica, and Accelerator. Do you remember her 2023 interview?
Two years back, in an episode of The Purple Room Podcast, Julz shared, “So any of her TikTok ads, I’m the one who edits, directs, films, all of them.” But what does that really mean? How hands-on is she with every part of the process? From shooting to fine-tuning content, Julz is deeply involved. She added, “I really love doing that. It’s awesome and it’s just something that I would love to continue doing for her, for myself, for other athletes, for really anyone.” So with Julz’s Olivia Dunne achieving more and more success, the big question is: what will she conquer next?
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