Former LSU gymnast and current entertainment powerhouse Livvy Dunne just gave fans a rare look into her relationship with Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. Speaking about her upcoming role in the highly anticipated Baywatch reboot, Dunne shared how her boyfriend is handling her transition from the balance beam to the big screen. The news comes as the television industry faces a major shakeup, with Fox recently deciding to push the series premiere to January 2027 to clear space for a heavy fall sports and news cycle.
Dunne told reporters that Skenes is her biggest fan and is not bothered by the viral chatter surrounding her new acting career. She said he showed nothing but support when she landed the part, even as fans speculate about her on-screen chemistry with co-stars like Noah Beck. According to Dunne, Skenes understands that her role is just a job and told her that being part of the lifeguard crew is more of a lifestyle than a simple acting gig. The couple remains one of the most talked-about pairs in 2026, successfully balancing Skenes’ dominance on the mound with Dunne’s massive digital footprint.
The production itself is a massive bet on the power of social media influencers to revive classic franchises. Fox is pairing Dunne and Beck with veteran actors to reach a younger audience that might not remember the original 1990s run. According to a report on the updated Fox media slate, the reboot will feature original stars like Erika Eleniak and David Chokachi alongside a new crew that includes Stephen Amell and Shay Mitchell. This mix of legacy and new-age talent is meant to anchor the network’s mid-season lineup after the current scheduling delays are resolved.
This strategy of casting athletes and influencers in scripted roles marks a major shift in how Hollywood builds its casts. By bringing in someone like Dunne, who already has millions of followers, the network is buying a built-in audience before the first trailer even drops. The delay to 2027 gives the production more time to lean into the “lifestyle” aspect Dunne mentioned, potentially turning the show into a multi-platform event. For Dunne and Skenes, it is a test of how a modern power couple handles fame when their professional lives start to cross into completely different industries.