One Slip-Up Nearly Cost Olivia Dunne Her Sports Illustrated Runway Debut
The W South Beach in Miami was packed with fashion elites on May 31, 2025. At the center of the buzz? Olivia Dunne—former LSU gymnastics phenom and newly crowned Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model. Her highly anticipated runway debut at Miami Swim Week was meant to mark a glamorous pivot from sports icon to fashion star. But just moments before liftoff, panic hit: she locked herself out of her hotel room.
A Close Call Before a Career Milestone
Dunne shared a candid Snapchat photo of herself seated on the floor outside her hotel door. The caption? *“I literally have to be on the runway in 30 mins and I locked myself out of my room.”* With time ticking and her flight on the line, this moment could have wrecked her modeling debut. But years of handling NCAA-level pressure paid off—she found a way, made the flight, and showed up in Miami like nothing ever went wrong.
Dunne Shines on the SI Swimsuit Runway
Despite the chaos, Dunne graced the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway with elegance. Her SI shoot, which took place in Bermuda, saw her modeling bold animal prints and vibrant swimwear. From kneeling in shallow water with a fractured kneecap to confidently owning the stage in a leopard leather bikini, her performance confirmed what fans already knew—Olivia Dunne thrives under pressure.
From Fractured Kneecaps to Fashion Fame
Dunne’s leap from gymnastics to modeling wasn’t a smooth transition. During the shoot, she revealed she was recovering from a fractured kneecap—yet still pulled off intense poses for the cover, including kneeling shots in the water. Styled with sports-chic accessories like a ’47 Brand cap and Ettika jewelry, she brought her athletic roots into the modeling world with ease.
The Dark Side of Fame: Dunne’s Airport Ordeal
Just a day before the event, Dunne shared a heartbreaking TikTok describing a terrifying stalking experience at the airport. Tearfully, she revealed how middle-aged men carrying stacks of photos tracked her flights and followed her through terminals. *“I fear that I’m being stalked, and I don’t know what to do,”* she confessed.
Her story echoes those of other female athletes like Coco Gauff and Gabby Thomas, who’ve also faced disturbing invasions of privacy. From targeted autograph ambushes to flight detail leaks, their experiences expose the unsettling dangers that can accompany rising fame.
A Star Under Pressure—And Still Rising
Dunne’s journey is one of contrasts: from fashion runways to fearful encounters at airports, from national titles to social media stardom. And yet, through it all, she keeps rising. Her grit, professionalism, and vulnerability make her not just a star, but a symbol of resilience in the spotlight.
Whether navigating last-minute chaos or confronting fame’s dark undercurrents, Olivia Dunne proves that no matter the pressure—she performs.