Olivia Dunn Reflects on Acting Auditions
Former NCAA gymnast Olivia “Livi” Dunn recently shared that her acting journey began with an in-person audition for Season 4 of HBO’s “White Lotus,” although she didn’t land the role.
In an interview for the April issue of a cover story, Dunn recounted that while auditioning for the dark comedy series, she was reminded of her athletic days. “It felt a bit like being an athlete all over again,” she said.
“At first, I was a bit nervous. You know, the usual worries—’What if I forget my lines?’ But then I thought, ‘Come on, I’ve faced tougher challenges.’ I mean, I have performed on a beam in front of 13,500 people,” she told Boardroom co-founder Rich Kleiman.
“Maybe I should have thrown in a backflip for the casting director. But I gave it everything I had. That was my first audition,” she added.
Dunn admitted that she had no idea what to expect but actually found the process quite enjoyable. Since then, she has attended several auditions, even if they weren’t all in person. “It was just fun to be in the audition room. I really felt like an athlete again,” she noted.
Currently, she’s filming a reboot of Baywatch in Venice Beach and has been busy working with an acting coach. “I’ve been doing a lot of auditions, rehearsing scripts, and getting accustomed to this lifestyle. It’s been a passion of mine since my college days, so it’s quite amazing to explore it now,” she shared.
She also mentioned the challenges of juggling her former student-athlete commitments with brand deals. “I took on this acting job after college, and it’s been really enjoyable. My mom helps me memorize scripts, and I have a fantastic acting coach,” Dunn explained.
In her role in the Baywatch reboot, appearing on Fox in the 2026-27 TV season, she will be making her acting debut as a lifeguard.
The New Jersey native has continued to develop brand partnerships, transitioning into modeling toward the end of her college career at LSU.
After being featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine in 2023, showcasing new talent, Dunn is set to return for the 2026 issue, marking her fourth time with the iconic publication.
She announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics in April 2025 after the LSU Tigers claimed third place in the NCAA semifinals. Dunn returned for a fifth and final eligible year, contributing to the team’s national championship victory in 2024.
In a personal note, she mentioned dating Pirates pitcher Paul Skeens and shared insights about Tom Brady’s stake in the fitness and wellness company NOBULL, co-founded by Mike Lepore.
