Livvy Dunne Pushes Through Pain for Stunning SI Swimsuit Cover

Livvy Dunne is proving that strength and beauty go hand in hand. The 22-year-old former LSU gymnast recently revealed the behind-the-scenes reality of her eye-catching 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover shoot—and it wasn’t as effortless as it looked.

In a video shared on Instagram on May 19, Dunne walked fans through her shoot in Bermuda, where she posed on a sun-drenched beach in a bold zebra-print bikini. While the final photos radiate confidence and calm, Dunne revealed a surprising truth. “Fun fact, I was shooting on a fractured kneecap,” she said in a voiceover, adding, “so poses like this and the cover shot kind of hurt, but it was honestly so worth it.”

For the cover, she knelt down in shallow turquoise water, her hands resting gently in the sand. It was a stunning image, but one that took grit to pull off. Despite her injury, Dunne didn’t let it stop her from shining.

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A Gymnast Turned Cover Star

The kneecap injury wasn’t just a minor setback. Dunne sustained an avulsion fracture on March 6, a serious blow that officially ended her competitive gymnastics career. Since then, she’s been focused on recovery while stepping into a whole new chapter of her life.

This cover marks Dunne’s third appearance in the SI Swimsuit issue since her debut in 2023. This year, she shared the spotlight with fellow stars Salma Hayek Pinault, Lauren Chan, and gymnast Jordan Chiles, showing just how far she’s come since her LSU days.

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Ready for a New Stage

Speaking to PEOPLE on the red carpet at the SI Swimsuit launch party in New York City on May 15, Dunne opened up about her future. “I’ve always said ‘no’ to opportunities way more than I’ve said ‘yes,’” she shared. “So, I’m excited to do everything and be able to travel and to be able to do things on my time.”

She admitted that gymnastics had always dictated her schedule, but now she’s embracing the freedom to explore new passions—including maybe even stepping into the world of acting. When asked if she’s teasing an acting role, Dunne simply smiled and said, “I don’t know, I don’t know! Stay tuned!”

Livvy Dunne may be stepping away from gymnastics, but she’s clearly stepping into something exciting.

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