Olivia Dunne, the 22-year-old girlfriend of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, confronted online critics who have been calling her “old” despite her young age. Facing repeated remarks about appearing older than she is, Dunne used social media on Friday to address these comments with humor and sarcasm in a viral TikTok video recorded while she was seated on an airplane.
Wearing oversized clear glasses, Dunne included captions such as “7th year senior,” “pushing 30 btw,” “Unc,” and “Sybau” to mock the trolls who labeled her as outdated or past her prime. She wrapped up the clip with a punchline, stating:
“Just found out I’m chopped and also unc.”
In her post caption, Dunne wrote:
“22 is unc status.”
She used Gen Z slang, where “unc” refers to “uncle,” a playful term targeting someone perceived as out of touch with current youth culture. The word “chopped” similarly implies someone is no longer attractive. By embracing these insults sarcastically, Dunne turned the criticism into a joke, showing resilience against detractors.
Handling Online Negativity: Olivia Dunne’s Strategy Against Trolls
Both Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes have experienced the pressures that come with rising fame, each attracting attention in their sports and social media spheres. Dunne, a former LSU gymnast with a substantial online following, often deals with negativity from trolls. She shared her approach to such hate during a recent interview with Stephanie McMahon.
“I’m gonna be completely honest, either you have to ignore them or block them. I have no shame in blocking people, yeah, or unfollowing. If you’re getting hate and you don’t wanna see it, you have control over your account.”
Despite the continual onslaught of negativity, Dunne explained how these attacks often coincide with positive moments in her career, such as major collaborations or cover features.
“Every single time when something good is happening to me or I’m about to have a breakthrough, whether it’s a huge new collaboration or something great, whether it’s Sports Illustrated cover, there’s always, you know, the down, there’s always people trying to pull at you, tear you down.”
“I don’t know if it’s jealousy; I don’t know what it is, but it’s funny how things work, because usually there’s a breakthrough right about to happen after.”
Her remarks illustrate the emotional toll of maintaining a public image while dealing with persistent criticism, but Dunne chooses to manage it proactively by controlling her digital space.
Paul Skenes Draws Inspiration from Olivia’s Resilience
Paul Skenes, celebrated for his promising career as a Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, has acknowledged his girlfriend’s influence on his own handling of online negativity. In an interview with GQ, Skenes admitted that he takes many cues from Dunne’s example when confronting the hostile aspects of social media. Their shared experience with public scrutiny has brought them closer in navigating the spotlight’s challenges.
The dynamic between Dunne and Skenes highlights how public figures, especially young athletes and influencers, confront trolls and sustain their mental health amid increasing digital pressure.
Growing Importance of Addressing Online Harassment for Public Figures
Olivia Dunne’s candid and witty responses to trolls underscore a growing conversation about how public figures, especially young women in sports and social media, face relentless criticism. By openly discussing her coping methods, Dunne not only empowers others but also sheds light on the harmful effects of online harassment. As Paul Skenes publicly supports her stance, the couple exemplifies a united front against detractors.
Moving forward, Dunne’s approach may inspire more influencers to address negativity with humor and assertiveness while encouraging fans to understand the human side of internet fame.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has anyone found the Paul Skenes card?
A. A young collector, aged 11, from California, discovered the unique Paul Skenes baseball card. The Pirates are offering 30 years of season tickets behind home plate in return.
Q. How many times has Paul Skenes thrown over 100?
A. He has thrown 100 mph or faster in 98 Triple-A games. By May 8, nobody else in Triple-A topped 100 mph more than 37 times. In the Major Leagues, Mason Miller from the A’s gets close, with 97 pitches reaching 100 mph or more.
Q. Did anyone find Paul Skenes’ patch card?
A. The excitement over Skenes led collectors to eagerly search for his unique rookie card. An 11-year-old Dodgers fan from Los Angeles discovered it on Christmas morning. The Pirates had promised a reward for whoever found the Skenes card.
Q. How much money is the Paul Skenes card?
A. On Thursday, trading card company Topps revealed that a card discovered by a California boy in a Topps Chrome Update pack sold for $1.1 million. The card features a piece of the No. 30 jersey worn during Skenes’ rookie debut and includes his autograph.