Livvy Dunne wants young girls to know that it’s “normal” to struggle with their body image — especially in elite gymnastics.
“You have to have tough skin to do gymnastics or any artistic sport,” the Louisiana State University gymnast, 21, told Flaunt in an interview published on Friday, October 11. “I actually looked at a statistic, and it said anorexia and body image issues are the highest in artistic Sports. That is terrible, but I understand it. Growing up in elite gymnastics, it was very hard with body image. Being a young girl going through puberty, it’s hard to be in a leotard.”
She continued, “The whole sport of gymnastics is having people judge you, and I just think that’s something not a lot of people talk about. Yes, I’m confident in myself, but it’s something I still struggle with to this day. I want girls to know that it’s normal. That’s normal.”
Dunne has previously spoken about the objectification of girls and women who are in the public eye, telling Today in January 2023, “As a woman, you’re not responsible for how a man looks at you and objectifies you. That’s not a woman’s responsibility.”
She continued, “My life has gone crazy this past year — so many new eyes. When there are more eyes on you, there are more people trying to tear you down constantly. I’m just trying to stick to what I believe and what’s true to me.”
Dunne went on to tell Flaunt in October how many young girls have expressed how she inspired them to pursue collegiate gymnastics — and make gymnastics videos together to post on TikTok.
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The gymnast has also spoken about her struggles with being in the public eye, including when it comes to her relationship. Dunne is currently dating rookie pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes. “Just being in the public eye, trying to keep things private. That’s definitely a little bit difficult,” Dunne exclusively told Us Weekly in July on the 2024 ESPYS red carPet.
“We’re always in different states,” she continued. “We try to see each other as much as possible, especially while it’s my offseason during the summer. When it’s his offseason, he’ll come to LSU and visit me.”
