Livvy Dunne issues five-word reason for viral SI bikini stunt
'I got triple dog dared,' the former LSU gymnast said of jaw-dropping moment
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Livvy Dunne has revealed why she decided to do the splits on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway over the weekend, and it turns out it was all because of a dare.
The former LSU gymnast showed off her acrobatic skills during Saturday’s show in Miami and wowed the crowd when she dropped down and demonstrated her extreme flexibility.
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The jaw-dropping move quickly went viral, racking up more than 12.5 million views on TikTok with Dunne, 22, sharing the moment with her 8 million followers along with the caption, “A split decision.”
As she walked off the catwalk in a black and white polka-dot swimsuit, Dunne, who boasts more than 13 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, bumped hips with DJ Xandra Pohl.
She later returned to the runway wearing a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit crop top and leopard-print bikini bottoms.
Dunne explained her decision to show off her splits by saying she she “got triple dog dared.”
“It’s probably the most excellent split I’ve ever seen. Bravo,” one person wrote, cheering Dunne’s manoeuvre.
“That’s the kind of confidence and smile everyone should have,” another added.
The influencer’s gymnastics career came to an end after she suffered an injury. But despite her setback, Dunne said she was determined to take part in Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit Issue.
“Fun fact: I was shooting on a fractured kneecap, so poses like this and the cover shot kind of hurt, but it was honestly so worth it,” Dunne said in an Instagram clip highlighting her photoshoot.
This year, Dunne was one of four cover models selected alongside actress Salma Hayek, model Lauren Chan and fellow gymnast Jordan Chiles.
“That is crazy,” Dunne said when she found out she had been picked to grace the issue. ”I am a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model… Are you kidding me?”
During an interview with PEOPLE earlier this month, Dunne, who is dating Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, opened up on her future plans now that her gymnastics career has come to a close.
“I’ve always said ‘no’ to opportunities way more than I’ve said ‘yes’ — so, I’m excited to do everything and be able to travel and to be able to do things on my time because it’s always been around gymnastics,” Dunne told the magazine.
“My life has revolved around gymnastics,” she continued. “So, honestly, to be able to say yes to more things and potentially maybe do some more performing art stuff on screen — and I’m very excited.”
According to Forbes, Dunne was once the most followed and highest-earning female athlete in the NCAA, considered a pioneer in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era of college athletes. But her fame hasn’t come without its drawbacks. In a recent TikTok video that has amassed more than 1 million views, Dunne alleged she was being “stalked” by middle-aged men.
“They know time, place, airport, everything!!! Stay safe,” she captioned her video.
“I fear that I’m being stalked and I don’t know what to do,” Dunne said. “It’s gotten to the point that every single time I go to the airport there’s a group of at least 10 middle-aged men waiting for me, and they harass me. … It’s these men that want my autograph.”
Calling the attention “weird,” Dunne said, “It needs to stop because it’s scary for girls.”
Dunne officially retired from gymnastics in April, announcing her decision in an emotional social media post.
“Gymnastics, you have filled my heart and will always be a part of me,” she shared on Instagram. “You shaped me into the person I am today.”
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