Livvy Dunne’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot was at times extremely painful for the former gymnastics star.
Dunne, who had graced the pages of the magazine twice before, became a cover star for the first time this year after posing for SI Swimsuit in Bermuda.
But the former LSU gymnast – who suffered a season-ending kneecap fracture in March – said she was in discomfort during the shoot.
‘Fun fact: I was shooting on a fractured kneecap, so poses like this and the cover shot kinda hurt,’ Dunne said in a recap video of the shoot, as she showed herself posing on her knees. ‘But it was honestly so worth it.’
The behind-the-scenes clip, posted to Dunne’s Instagram, showed Dunne attending fittings, enjoying dinner with her mom the night before and taking to the beach for the animal print-themed shoot.
In fact, Dunne said she only spent 24 hours on the island, as she had to return to LSU for class the next day.
Livvy Dunne graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for the very first time
She said poses like this hurt due to her fractured kneecap, which cut her gymnastics career short
After posing for the company in Puerto Rico (2023) and Portugal (2024), Dunne became a cover star this year, as she kneeled in the water wearing a zebra-print bikini top and green bottoms.
The issue, which is on newsstands now after being released on May 17, also featured fellow gymnast Jordan Chiles, actress Salma Hayek and model Lauren Chan as cover stars.
Dunne, 22, admitted the whole experience was a dream come true afterwards.
‘I can’t believe it. Oh my god,’ she told the magazine. ‘That photo is so good. That is crazy, I am a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model.
She also gushed over the shoot in Bermuda, adding: ‘It was the most beautiful place I have ever been. The whole experience was extraordinary.
‘I know it was quick, but every single time we go to these places, and I shoot for these 24 hours, and it’s the quickest trip, you guys feel like family, truly. I have the best time, and it’s the most fun shoot I’ve ever done.’
Dunne recently attended a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit party in New York City, which was also attended by the likes of Chiles, 50 Cent and Rob Gronkowski.
Gronkowski was there alongside his partner, SI Swimsuit model Camille Kostek, while Chiles was joined by Team USA teammate Suni Lee.
Dunne’s gymnastics came to an end last month as she bid an emotional farewell to LSU after five seasons.
Livvy Dunne was among the sports stars to attend the SI Swimsuit party on May 15
Dunne said she was only in Bermuda for 24 hours, as she had to return to LSU for class
‘The highs, the lows, making the USA national team and competing for our country, every risk was worth the reward,’ she said in a farewell video put together by the Tugers.
‘Finishing my career over the past five years of the best university in the world has been an incredible journey, and I’m forever grateful.’
After walking away from the sport, Dunne now has some free time on her hands as she works out what the next chapter will bring.
Days before the release of her cover, she enjoyed a Mets game with three fellow models and influencers: Kostek, Alexandra ‘Xandra’ Pohl, and Ellie Thumann.
Dunne also enjoyed her first Kentucky Derby (and Oaks) earlier this month, as she donned an extravagant all-pink outfit at Churchill Downs.
