One reason the relationship between Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes works is that they relate over being notable sports figures. “It’s nice to be able to have that conversation. She does get it,” the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in August 2023. Still, that notoriety has pitfalls. Dating Dunne has raised the pitcher’s profile, which has led to him being less active on social media. “I wasn’t on it during the season because it’s toxic,” he told the Gazette. “There’s no substance to it. It can’t help.”
At times, when Skenes has posted about Dunne on his Instagram page, trolling fans have been quick to point out that he is not a main fixture on her feed. In September 2023, Skenes posted snaps from when he visited Louisiana State University, which included a photo of him and Dunne together at a football game. “Are you [embarrassed] that your girlfriend never posts you and just the thirst traps for her 40 year old fans????” one user wrote. Skenes was given the same treatment when he posted pictures from their visit to New York in December.
That user was right in a sense, as Dunne had made a conscious effort to keep her relationship low-key. “I’ve definitely learned over the past few years that … keeping certain things private is okay,” the social media influencer told People in November 2023. She even put off posting photos of Skenes.
