While a powerful Nor’easter continued to batter the East Coast, Livvy Dunne and her baseball-star boyfriend Paul Skenes found the perfect escape.
On Monday, the couple jetted off to Taormina, a picturesque hilltop town on Sicily’s eastern coast, leaving behind the chaos of strong winds and heavy rain that had prompted a state of emergency across New York and New Jersey.
Travel Chaos Hits Millions as Storm Disrupts Flights
Millions of Americans faced travel headaches on Monday as gusts of up to 45 mph and torrential rainfall forced major airport delays.
Flights across New York, New Jersey, and beyond experienced widespread disruptions, making the timing of Dunne and Skenes’ getaway all the more fortunate.
Celebrating a Well-Timed Break After Baseball Season Ends
For Skenes, the trip is a well-earned breather after his second MLB season with the Pittsburgh Pirates ended in disappointment.
Despite posting a league-leading 2.03 ERA, 209 strikeouts, and holding opponents to a .199 batting average, Skenes could not carry the 71-91 Pirates into the postseason.
With the playoffs off the table, he now has the freedom to unwind with Dunne, who celebrated her 23rd birthday with a night out in New York City at the start of October.
Taormina Provides the Perfect Romantic Escape
The couple is making the most of their Italian vacation.
Dunne, a former LSU gymnast and current TikTok star, shared a breathtaking snap of Taormina’s hilltop vistas on Instagram, giving fans a glimpse of the romantic scenery.
The trip also marks a chance for Dunne to enjoy some downtime after retiring from gymnastics earlier this year, ending a remarkable 20-year career in the sport.
From LSU Gymnastics to Social Media Stardom
Dunne’s gymnastics career extended to five seasons at LSU, an extra year caused by the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After her final season wrapped in April, she has shifted her focus to building her social media presence.
The TikTok star also made headlines by attending several Pirates games to cheer on Skenes during the 2025 season.
Viral Moment at Cincinnati Game
Not all of Dunne’s appearances in the stands went smoothly.
During Skenes’ final start of the season in Cincinnati last month, fans noticed sweat stains on her grey shirt as she nervously watched the game.
Photos capturing the moment quickly went viral, and Dunne faced online ridicule.
Doubling Down With Humor on Social Media
Ever the good sport, Dunne responded to trolls with humor.
One fan commented, “we seen them armpits you ain’t slick,” to which she replied, “& can you please stop dming me asking to buy the shirt,” adding a prayer hands and rose emoji.
Another TikTok user joked, “You put the ‘pit’ in Pittsburgh,” and Dunne quipped back, “You’d break a sweat too being a Pirates fan.”
A Well-Deserved Pause from the Spotlight
Now, the couple is enjoying a peaceful break in Italy, far from the spotlight and the stormy East Coast.
Between Skenes’ off-season downtime and Dunne’s post-gymnastics life, it’s the perfect chance to relax, recharge, and take in some stunning Sicilian scenery together.