Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne have quickly become one of the most talked-about couples in sports, but their relationship almost didn’t happen—because of Instagram.
The Pittsburgh Pirates rising star and LSU gymnastics standout first crossed paths in college, but Dunne wasn’t sure what to make of Skenes at first. In a recent GQ interview, Dunne revealed that she was confused when he didn’t follow her back on Instagram. “He wouldn’t follow me back on Instagram. I was like, ‘Who is this kid, and why won’t he follow me?’” Dunne said.
Thankfully for Skenes, he eventually hit the follow button, a decision that may have saved him from one of the biggest personal strikeouts of his life.
The two started dating shortly after, and while Skenes dominated on the mound and led LSU to a College World Series title, Dunne continued building her social media empire. Unlike Dunne, who has over five million Instagram followers and even more on TikTok, Skenes didn’t have much of a presence online. In fact, Dunne now manages his Instagram account.
Skenes admitted that social media wasn’t really his thing, but when you’re dating one of the most recognizable athletes in the college sports world, that kind of comes with the territory. He’s since embraced it more, and the two have made multiple appearances together, including at LSU football games and in New York City.
What started with a simple Instagram standoff has turned into a strong relationship. Skenes is thriving in his rookie MLB season, earning an All-Star selection and emerging as a front-runner for National League Rookie of the Year. Meanwhile, Dunne remains a dominant figure in gymnastics and a leader in the NIL space.
Their story shows how even in today’s fast-paced digital world, relationships can begin with something as small as a follow—or a lack of one.
