True – every coin has two sides. And for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rising star pitcher, Paul Skenes, it’s turning into a slogan. Imagine being on top of the world, your talent undeniable, the crowd roaring in confirmation of your effort as you are living it! But the other side? With the glittering highs of sporting accomplishment comes a darker side of fame fashioned by contemporary technologies and the relentless public spotlight. And Skenes’ relationship with Olivia Dunne, a social media star and gymnast, has heightened this scrutiny.
Well, honestly, Paul Skenes and Dunne’s love story is a fascinating one. The charming, skilled baseball prodigy and the dynamic, popular gymnast enjoy a public relationship. And Skenes has been in the spotlight of baseball fans and a wider, more digitally involved audience due to their relationship. It’s exciting to have support and admiration, but this level of celebrity also captures the banal, private, and possibly awkward moments.
There has been nothing but lightning speed in Paul Skenes’ rise to the big leagues. In a candid conversation, Skenes talked about how hard it is to deal with fame, especially now that everyone has smartphones and social media. “I’m not perfect by any means, but I think that you can get yourself in trouble really quickly now because if you do anything, someone’s filming it,” he stated, his words carrying the weight of experience beyond his years.
“It takes a whole lot more energy to go out anywhere and pretend to be someone else than it does to go out and just be yourself. If being yourself doesn’t get you in trouble, then great.”
Still early in his professional career, a young athlete like Skenes can find this fact extremely challenging. He is learning to navigate the complexity of celebrity in an era when privacy feels more like a relic of the past. He is not only coping with the demands of playing at the highest level of his sport, but also with the demands of being a celebrity. Every contact with a fan, every off-field event, and every public appearance becomes a potential headline —a morsel of material for the always-hungry digital landscape.
Paul Skenes stays tuned to his performance and personal development even as he develops his career. Though he admits his relationship shapes his public persona, he is resolved to remain grounded. Together, they navigate the demands of being a celebrity, trying to maintain their authenticity and support each other in the spotlight.
Olivia Dunne’s supportive role in Paul Skenes’ MLB rise
The everlasting support between Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne as they grow their professions is inspirational. Dunne’s decision to quit competitive gymnastics after a successful undergraduate career to support Skenes in Major League Baseball shows her commitment to their future.
Dunne retired after LSU’s NCAA tournament loss on April 17, 2025, thanking the team for her five years. Her retirement falls during a period when her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, is making headlines. With six strikeouts over six good innings in his most recent outing against the Nationals, he highlights his talent and the fascinating direction of his baseball career.
Though they are young, successful, and publicly visible, Skenes and Dunne seem to be handling the demands with amazing grace.
So, wondering what the secret formula of their relationship is? As Skenes said throughout his interview, “Stay present. I tell Liv this all the time because she tells me it, too.” He said, “It’s very easy to feel overwhelmed with all this stuff… Getting ready for my outing is the biggest thing I’m doing today.”
Dunne is eager to investigate other interests outside gymnastics from now on. She intends to stay with Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh during the baseball season and continue developing her brand through modeling, sponsorships, and other professional activities. Her achievements have mostly come from her dedication and forward-looking attitude; she still keeps her eye on the opportunities ahead.
Dunne and Paul Skenes together represent a contemporary method of juggling personal connections and career aspirations. Many find encouragement in their mutual support and combined dedication to staying grounded, as it shows that with genuineness and focus, one can flourish both personally and as a couple in public view.
The post Paul Skenes Gets REAL on Dark Side of Fame Fueled by Dating Olivia Dunne: “If You Do Anything, Someone’s Filming It” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
