Inside joke falls flat as glamour couple ‘breaks internet’

An American star has raised eyebrows with a one-word sledge directed at Paige Spiranac as the pair caused a stir on Monday.

Olivia Dunne has raised eyebrows with a one-word sledge directed at Paige Spiranac as the pair came together this weekend to “break the internet”.

The gymnast, who is the highest-earning female athlete in American college-level sport, on Monday morning shared an inside joke with her 5.2 million Instagram followers, and it fell flat in some corners of cyberspace.

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The 22-year-old and Spiranac, 31, stole the show at a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 60th anniversary promotional event this weekend with the pair rocking similarly revealing, see-through black gowns.

Spiranac, a longtime golf influencer, stunned on the red carpet in a sheer strapless black dress, The New York Post reports.

Her red carpet pose with Dunne at a casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Sunday caused quite a stir.

Paige Spiranac and Olivia Dunne did their best to break the internet. Photo: Twitter, @PaigeSpiranac.

Paige Spiranac on the red carpet. Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

Spiranac shared one photo of their meeting with a caption of “Twinning” which has been viewed by more than three million users on X, formerly known as Twitter.

She shared the same photo to her Instagram stories with the same caption, but it was Dunne’s response that upset fans of the former professional golfer.

Dunne cheekily wrote, “Mother” when sharing the same photo with her followers.

The suggestion that Spiranac, nine years her elder, was old enough to be her mum attracted some unhappy comments.

One fan wrote: “She’s 31! She couldn’t be ur mom! Maybe a big sis but sheesh”.

Spiranac laughed the comment off and responded by writing: “My adopted little for life”.

Paige Spiranac shows off the magazine cover. Photo: Instagram, @_paige.renee.

Olivia Dunne attends the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Celebration. Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

Fans were blown away by the “worlds-colliding” meeting and one wrote: “You’re breaking the internet for real this time”.

Spiranac certainly appeared to enjoy the attention.

“Celebrating the @si_swimsuit 60th anniversary was a success,” she posted on Instagram.

“I can’t put into words how special it is to be on the cover this year with so many inspiring women! Honored is an understatement.”

Sharina Gutierrez, Paige Spiranac and Brenna Huckaby attend the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Celebration. Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

Sprianac made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2018 when she shot on-location in Aruba. Dunne made her big debut with the publication last year.

Sports Illustrated is commemorating its milestone with a special edition magazine that has four separate covers featuring Kate Upton as well as SI Swimsuit icons Hunter McGrady, 31, Chrissy Teigen, 38, and newcomer Gayle King, 69.

The 2024 SI Swimsuit rollout also includes three additional collectable covers, highlighting 27 of its lionised luminaries such as Christie Brinkley, Tyra Banks and Paulina Porizkova.

Spiranac also got her hands on the star-studded cover over the weekend.

“Finally saw the cover in person!” Spiranac exclaimed Friday on X.

In addition to Spiranac, this year’s edition of the magazine features a packed rookie class that includes Jena Sims, the wife of golfer Brooks Koepka, and Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Earlier on Sunday, Spiranac took in ‘SI Swimsuit Island’, where she explored different eras of the publication.

“It’s a @si_swimsuit eras tour,” Spiranac captioned one Instagram Story chronicling the 1960s.

It’s an exciting time for the social media juggernaut, who is featured on an anniversary cover that boasts other brand “legends,” including Camille Kostek, Winnie Harlow and Maye Musk.

“Since 1964, SI Swimsuit has set the standard for celebrating the beauty of women from all walks of life, inspiring confidence and redefining beauty norms,” Sports Illustrated Swimsuit posted on its Instagram page Tuesday, when the issue launched.

“In celebrating this year’s 60th anniversary we continue that legacy and are honored to include our SI Swimsuit legends as your 2024 issue cover models.

“Each woman serves as an inspiration in her own unique way, championing a mission that SI Swimsuit has long upheld: the importance of representation, and the polysemous nature of beauty.”

Dunne was recently valued to have a net worth of more than $3.5 million while Spiranac has previously been estimated to have a net worth of more than $3 million.

Originally published as Inside joke falls flat as glamour couple ‘breaks internet’