Gymnastics sensation Olivia Dunne sparks ‘disturbing’ scene outside college meet

A “disturbing” new video has emerged of creepy fans demanding a slice of America’s most famous and marketable college athlete.

Olivia Dunne’s presence in Salt Lake City ignited a “disturbing” and “creepy” scene at her college’s season-opening meet on Saturday (AEDT).

Dunne, who is one of the highest-paid college athletes in America, with millions of followers on social media, was greeted by eager fans at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

A crowd of screaming teenage males stayed after Utah defeated Dunne’s LSU to witness the social media sensation exit the venue, the New York Post reports.

Former Olympic gymnast Samantha Peszek, who currently works as a Los Angeles-based broadcaster, shared a video of the crowd demanding Dunne’s whereabouts as people left the gymnastics meet.

“This is actually so scary and disturbing and cringey. I’m embarrassed for them,,” Peszek wrote on the clip, which was initially shared on her TikTok account.

“Give us Livvy,” one person can be heard yelling after a “Livvy” chant broke out. “We want Livvy,” others screamed.

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I was walking out just behind you, Sam, and they were screaming to me, "Are you Livvy's mom? Are you Livvy's mom?" Very disturbing. Creepy, actually.

— Kathy Johnson Clarke, OLY 🌻🇺🇦 (@kathyjohnsongym) January 8, 2023

Former gymnast Kathy Johnson Clarke, who currently works as a commentator for the SEC Network, replied to Peszek’s tweet, writing, “I was walking out just behind you, Sam, and they were screaming to me, ‘Are you Livvy’s mom? Are you Livvy’s mom?’ Very disturbing. Creepy, actually.”

In a separate tweet responding to someone that said the fans waiting for Dunne didn’t even attend the meet, Clarke wrote: “I know they weren’t Utah or gymnastics fans.

“Many of them were in the arena, though, and didn’t know how to conduct themselves. They are young and got carried away.

“Hopefully, they’ll do as Livvy has asked now and be respectful of all the gymnasts if they attend a meet.”

Fans demanded a piece of Olivia Dunne. Pic: TikTok

Olivia Dunne is a social media sensation.

Josh Furlong of KSL Sports also tweeted, “LSU had to move its team bus so they didn’t have to run into the group of boys. There were cops stationed in front to avoid them getting in.”

Dunne was seen snapping selfies with fans that remained in the stands at the Huntsman Center after the meet.

Some fans held signs begging Dunne for a photo and a follow-back on social media.

“My New Year’s resolution is to get a pic with Livvy,” one sign read, while another included a “birthday wishlist” of three things: “1. Get a pic with Livvy. 2. Have Livvy in my BeReal. 3. Get a follow back.”

There was also a cardboard cut-out in the stands of Dunne from the 2022 ESPY Awards.

Following the LSU-Utah meet, Dunne — who reportedly was not in the line-up on Saturday — took to Twitter to address the behaviour from fans.

Olivia Dunne of LSU looks on after a PAC-12 meet against Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Fans hold signs for Olivia Dunne of LSU during a PAC-12 meet against Utah. (Photo by Getty Images via AFP)

“I will always appreciate and love the support from you guys, but if you come to a meet, I want to ask you to please be respectful of the other gymnasts and the gymnastics community as we are just doing our job,” Dunne tweeted.

Dunne — who has over nine million followers between her Instagram and TikTok platforms — ranks at the top of On3 Sports’ list of female college moneymakers, which estimated her value at $2.3 million in October.

The Hillsdale, N.J., native became a millionaire at the age of 18 with help from her massive social media following and skills as an all-around gymnast with the LSU Tigers.

Dunne signed with WME Sports for representation in August 2021 and has deals with a number of brands, including Vuori clothing, College GameDay, GrubHub, Madden/EA Sports, and American Eagle.

- This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.