Sun May 18 19:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text:
**Headline: Gymnast Livvy Dunne Graces Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover, Defies Expectations**
**New York, NY** – Recently retired NCAA gymnast Olivia “Livvy” Dunne is making waves outside the arena, landing a coveted cover spot on the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Dunne, who recently concluded her gymnastics career at LSU, is one of four cover stars, joining Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles, entrepreneur Lauren Chan, and award-winning actress, director, and producer Salma Hayek.
Dunne’s inclusion marks a significant moment for the young athlete, who has become a prominent figure in the world of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals since the NCAA relaxed its rules. She leveraged her already substantial social media following, cultivated since the age of 10, into lucrative partnerships.
“People like to discredit what I do because of the way I look,” Dunne told Sports Illustrated. “But if you take a deeper dive there’s so much more.”
Dunne’s success is largely attributed to her authentic online presence, built long before the NIL rule change. Her time on the U.S. junior national team and her collegiate gymnastics career at LSU further enhanced her popularity.
“I think that my audience could feel that authenticity because it was something I was doing before the rule change,” Dunne explained. “This was years in the making. It didn’t come to me easily, and I think that’s a big misconception.”
The 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, featuring Dunne and her fellow cover stars, is expected to hit newsstands and online platforms soon. This year’s selection of cover models highlights a diverse range of talent and backgrounds.