“That’s not a woman’s responsibility”, Olivia Dunne silences critics who have blamed her social media persona for the recent fan fiascos
Follow Us
Credits: Getty
Olivia Dunne has been in the news recently after her fans were involved in frenzied moments at her game venues. The Lousiana State University gymnast has the largest fan following amongst all other college athletes in the United States. This has allowed her to profit most from her image through marketing on social media.
Livvy fans often engage in hooliganism, and rude behavior, causing inconveniences to other gymnasts and their parents. The case that came into the limelight was when Livvy’s fans disrespected Utah gymnast Jillian Hoffman in front of her mother. Dunne had posted a tweet following this incident, asking her fans to be respectful towards other athletes.
One factor that has come forward as a talking point with such incidents is social media clout. Given the immense popularity and fan following Olivia Dunne enjoys online, some critics have started blaming her online persona as a provocation for such incidents. Olivia Dunne’s reply in an interview with the ‘Today’ show is a response to silence all her critics.
Related: Scores of teenage boys pour in to see Olivia Dunne despite her not competing
Olivia Dunne lashes back at critics following the fan frenzy incidents at the LSU events
Whatever the LSU women’s gymnastics team faces right now is utterly unfortunate. Everyone in the gymnastics fraternity, including veterans and experts, have expressed their concerns about fan hooliganism engaged by teenage boys and young adults at the game venues. Most of the fans visit to see celebrity college gymnast Olivia Dunne, who commands a huge fan following online.
Livvy boasts a following of 2 million followers on Instagram and has over 7 million followers on TikTok. Dunne says on the Today show, “I am very grateful to be making seven figures. It is very cool that someone in college has the opportunity to do that now.”
Dunne has recently faced slack and criticism for her content online from some sections, which also includes the legendary Stanford women’s basketball team coach Tara VanDerveer. VanDerveer, as per New York Times, thinks that such trends of popularity as ‘step back’ for female athletes.
Adding on this concern, Dunne says, “There are some people, occasionally, that do reach and it is a bit concerning. As a woman, you’re not responsible for how a man looks at you and objectifies you.That’s not a woman’s responsibility.”
Even her head coach, Jay Clarke, has supported Dunne in her statement. He does not think athletes having a social media presence has anything to do with fan hooliganism. To this, he adds, “If expression and self-expression is something that we value as a right in this country, then we have to be consistent when it doesn’t necessarily fit out what our own agenda might be. I don’t think it sets things back.”
Acknowledging the recent fan frenzies, Olivia Dunne has addressed this issue and stated the real problem that her young fans face. “I think it creates a false sense of accessibility and familiarity that followers feel as though they know there’s a personal sort of connection,” says Dunne on account of fans going beyond their ways in the LSU games.
In case you missed it:
Stay Updated!
Siddid Dey Purkayastha
(528 Articles Published)