Olivia Dunne recounts overheard remark in restaurant bathroom amid date with Paul Skenes
NCAA gymnastics champion describes bathroom exchange in a TikTok post; Dunne continues to rise in visibility off the mat, including appearances at baseball games with Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.
Former NCAA gymnastics champion Olivia Dunne said she overheard two women in a restaurant bathroom discussing her, a moment she recounted in a TikTok video released last week. Dunne, who is dating Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, said the incident occurred while she was on a dinner date with him.
Dunne described that the two women, who appeared to be around her age or younger, were talking about her from behind stall doors. One allegedly asked why she was there, and another reportedly said she would be more chopped in real life. Dunne recounted pausing to listen, then engaging briefly by noting that she had heard the remarks, which she said left the two women embarrassed. She said the moment felt like crickets when she left the stall, but the pair later asked for a photo, and she obliged.
Beyond the bathroom exchange, Dunne has built a broad public profile. The term chopped, which emerged this year among younger crowds, describes someone perceived as unattractive, and Dunne’s anecdote has fed discussion online about how she is perceived in real life versus how she is portrayed on social media. Dunne’s online footprint is substantial: more than 8 million followers on TikTok and about 5.4 million on Instagram. She has also been featured in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition and has walked the runway for the publication’s swimsuit shoot, underscoring her crossover appeal beyond gymnastics.
Dunne’s visibility extends to major-league settings this season. She has been seen at baseball stadiums cheering on Skenes as he makes his mark in MLB, including appearances at Pirates games and other events tied to his rising profile. In recent months, she has been photographed and photographed around ballparks as part of her ongoing public appearances with Skenes.
The anecdote about the restaurant bathroom surfaced amid broader media attention on Dunne’s post-college career expansion. The video recounted by Fox News Digital this week anchors a narrative of a student-athlete who parlayed NIL opportunities into sustained celebrity, while continuing to cultivate a brand that extends into endorsements and media appearances beyond gymnastics.
Dunne’s public-facing arc includes appearances at high-profile events, such as the MTV Video Music Awards and other major entertainment venues, and she has publicly supported Skenes as his professional trajectory unfolds. Her relationship with Skenes has kept her in a prominent spotlight as fans and media track how she negotiates cross-sport visibility with a growing business and media portfolio.
The bathroom exchange, described in a concise TikTok post, adds to a broader narrative about how Dunne is perceived in real life compared with the persona crafted online. She told followers she found the anecdote amusing and that she was glad to have a photo opportunity with the people involved, signaling a cordial exit to a potentially awkward moment.
Dunne’s ongoing public presence—on social media, in fashion and media projects, and at MLB venues—illustrates a modern trajectory for collegiate star athletes who leverage popularity beyond sport. Her association with Skenes remains a focal point of her visibility, as she participates in the cultural conversation surrounding athletes who cultivate brand partnerships while maintaining competitive careers.
