Olivia Dunne Defends Boyfriend Paul Skenes' Subdued Reaction After He Wins NL Rookie of the Year

"Bro doesn't even look excited," one user wrote about the Pirates pitcher's reaction to winning rookie of the year

Olivia Dunne is cheering on — as always — her boyfriend Paul Skenes.

Skenes, 22, won the National League's Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award on Monday, Nov. 18 and Dunne, also 22, was there to celebrate with the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher after Cal Ripken Jr. announced his selection.

In a photo shared by Dunne — who is currently in her fifth year at LSU — after Skenes' selection, the MLB star is smiling as he holds up a cookie cake that says, "Rookie & a Cookie."

"Just a rookie and his cookie," Dunne wrote over the photo of Skenes and the cake.

In a video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by the MLB Network of Skenes' and Dunne's reactions, the LSU gymnast wraps her arms around Skenes and says, "Congratulations. I'm so proud of you."

Related: Olivia Dunne Says She and Boyfriend Paul Skenes Are ‘Complete Opposites’: ‘Like Yin and Yang’ (Exclusive)

Skenes' reaction during the MLB Network announcement, however, sparked discourse from fans who questioned the exchange between the pitcher and Dunne, who appeared unsurprised and a bit stoic.

Before Dunne told her boyfriend she's proud of him, the couple seemed to awkwardly smile while reacting to Skenes' honor.

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"Bro doesn't even look excited," one user wrote on X.

Another said, "When your girlfriend is way more excited than you are. What a moment. Dude you won…try celebrating."

Dunne shared a video from the evening on TikTok and addressed Skenes' reaction when one fan commented, "Looks like yall had an argument before it was announced."

"He just the king of nonchalant," Dunne replied.

Speaking to MLB.com after his selection, Skenes said, "It's cool," over a Zoom call. He added, "And it's an honor. I think it's just a product of showing up each day and doing the work, and I think the results are going to take care of themselves.”

Related: Olivia Dunne Puts Boyfriend Paul Skenes Through Gymnastics Training: 'Not Very Aerodynamic'

Dunne and Skenes met as student-athletes at LSU and began dating in 2023.

In June 2024, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Dunne was wearing Skenes' jersey at the College World Series, prompting rumors of a romance.

In August 2023, Skenes confirmed his relationship with the popular content creator during an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and they later revealed that they met through mutual friends.