‘Olivia Dunne Is the Show’: Paul Skenes Shares Heartfelt Message About Girlfriend During MLB All-Star Festivities

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes made a memorable appearance at the MLB All-Star Red Carpet alongside his girlfriend, former LSU gymnastics star and social media personality Olivia Dunne. While Skenes has become one of baseball’s biggest stars, he was quick to shift the attention toward Dunne during the event.

The couple, who began dating while attending LSU, arrived in coordinated blue outfits and once again became one of the most talked-about pairs at the Midsummer Classic festivities.

Paul Skenes Credits Olivia Dunne for Taking Pressure Off Him

During media interactions on the red carpet, Dunne spoke about how much she enjoys supporting Skenes throughout his baseball journey.

“It’s so much fun to support him, be by his side, come on these adventures, because I know how lonely baseball can be sometimes,” Dunne said.

Skenes responded with an affectionate and humorous remark that quickly caught the attention of fans.

“It’s not about me, it’s about her. She’s the show. It’s good; it takes some of the pressure off me. I love it,” Skenes said.

The comment highlighted the strong bond between the couple, who have remained supportive of each other’s careers despite their busy schedules and public profiles.

A Relationship That Began at LSU

Skenes and Dunne first met during their time at Louisiana State University, where both were standout athletes. Since then, their relationship has continued to grow alongside their professional success.

Dunne has frequently attended major milestones in Skenes’ career, including his MLB debut, award ceremonies, and All-Star appearances. She was also present when Skenes captured his first National League Cy Young Award, celebrating one of the biggest achievements of his young career.

Their appearances together have made them one of the most recognizable couples in American sports.

Third Straight MLB All-Star Selection for Skenes

The 2026 MLB season marked Skenes’ third consecutive All-Star selection, further solidifying his status as one of baseball’s premier pitchers.

Although selected for the National League squad, Skenes did not participate in the All-Star Game itself due to workload management and his pitching schedule for the second half of the season.

His priority remains helping the Pirates maintain momentum in their postseason push.

Skenes Addresses Absence of Pirates Players in All-Star Game

Another Pittsburgh representative, pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, also withdrew from the All-Star Game after making a recent start. As a result, Pirates fans were unable to see either player take the field during the showcase event.

Skenes acknowledged the disappointment but explained that the decision was made with the team’s long-term goals in mind.

“I kind of feel bad for the Pirates fans, but I would hope that they can get over it a little bit because we both just won the games that we started and we’re lined up to pitch shortly after the All-Star break,” Skenes said.

His comments reflected the importance of preserving health and maintaining availability for the remainder of the season.

Pirates Focused on Postseason Ambitions

Skenes has been one of the driving forces behind Pittsburgh’s playoff push, delivering another dominant season on the mound. Alongside Ashcraft and the rest of the pitching staff, he has helped keep the Pirates firmly in contention.

With the second half of the season approaching, Pittsburgh’s management and players appear focused on maximizing their chances of reaching the postseason rather than risking unnecessary workload during exhibition events.

Conclusion

Paul Skenes may be one of Major League Baseball’s brightest stars, but the Pirates ace made it clear that Olivia Dunne remains a central part of his journey. His heartfelt comments on the All-Star red carpet showcased the couple’s strong relationship while also highlighting the support system that has helped him thrive at the highest level. As Pittsburgh continues its postseason chase, Skenes and Dunne remain one of sports’ most closely followed power couples.