Livvy Dunne bids 'peace out' to gymnastics after LSU's crushing exit

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Livvy Dunne has apparently bowed out of gymnastics for good after a career that saw her become the highest-paid female athlete in college sports - with an estimated net worth of $10 million and millions of social media followers.

Her decision comes after LSU missed out on the national championship Thursday night.

Writing online following Thursday's upset, the 22-year-old said: '[Peace] out gymnastics it’s been real… and of course forever LSU!'

Calling time: Livvy Dunne has seemingly ended her gymnastics career after LSU's upset

Missing out: The defending NCAA champions failed to reach the Final Four, finishing third in the semifinals

That's all, folks: The social media sensation took to X following the meet to bid farewell to gymnastics

Dunne and the Tigers failed to seal back-to-back NCAA championships this week when they finished third in the semifinals, marking the star's final meet in the purple and gold.

LSU, the No. 1 overall seed and defending champion, was denied a chance at a repeat, finished with a score of 197.5250, below Utah and UCLA.

Small errors on the uneven bars and beam proved costly for the Tigers as they fell to fourth place following the two opening rotations.

The Tigers moved into second after the third rotation when Amari Drayton, Aleah Finnegan and Haleigh Bryant each notched scores of 9.9 or better on floor.

Meanwhile, LSU freshman Kailin Chio claimed the vault championship with a 9.975 to become the 19th individual champion by a Tiger and the eighth in the vault competition.

But Emma Malabuyo secured UCLA's bid to the championship after posting a 9.9750 on beam. The Bruins turned three straight 9.9s to close the rotation.

Olympian Jordan Chiles followed UCLA teammate Frida Esparza´s 9.9250 on uneven bars with a 9.9750 to take the top spot. Chiles joined teammate Brooklyn Moors (floor) as individual champions.

Utah, who posted a top score of 197.7625, clinched its fifth straight Final Four appearance and is seeking to add to its NCAA-leading nine championship titles on Saturday - with its first win since 1995.

Dunne herself, however, did not take to the floor for the Tigers in Thursday's semifinal session. The influencer has been sidelined for the past month with an avulsion fracture in her kneecap.

She suffered the season-ending injury last month, which forced her to miss her last ever Tigers home meet after fracturing her kneecap.

Despite the devastating injury blow, Dunne, sporting a knee brace, was still present for Senior Night ceremonies in Baton Rouge a few days later.

Glittering career: The 22-year-old traveled to Fort Worth to support her teammates, despite not competing

High flyer: The influencer has been sidelined for the past month with an avulsion fracture in her kneecap

Love life: Dunne, who boasts more than five million Instagram followers, is dating MLB pitcher Paul Skenes

Despite being unable to compete, Dunne still made the trip to Fort Worth with the Tigers to support her teammate.

She had remained hopeful of making a miraculous return in time for the championships, telling People that bars 'wasn't out of the question.'

'I'm doing everything I can to be able to,' she said on March 31. 'I'm not sure what the case will be, but I don't think I'll be able to tumble or do beam.'

She then continued: 'I've been swinging bars again, getting back in the swing of things, shall I say... And yeah, it's been great to be able to move around again.'

However, despite her best efforts, Dunne failed to recover in time to bring the curtain down on what has been a successful - and extremely profitable - college career.

The New Jersey native returned to LSU last fall for her final season after the Tigers won the national championship last year.

Dunne had the option of returning to LSU for a fifth year - which she took - due to the pandemic.

Last season, she helped LSU win their first National Championship in history - an achievement that had a part in convincing her to return for year five.

Glamour: The New Jersey native returned to LSU last fall for her fifth and final season

Lucrative sidelines: Dunne has posed for a photoshoot for the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition

Advertising work: She has already appeared in several money-spinning commercials, including this one for Accelerator energy drink

Speaking to ESPN in February about her gymnastics goals for her final year, Dunne said: 'I'm just trying to seize every opportunity and make the most of it and make those memories.

'The travel meets are some of the best memories you'll have when you're a college athlete and being with the girls on the team.

'Even just practice every day is special. These are my sisters, and that's something I'll never forget.'

As a student athlete, her gymnastics career has catapulted her to fame thanks to her millions social media followers.

Her social media following is massive - she boasts 5.3 million Instagram followers and another eight million on TikTok.

And Dunne's estimated $10 million net worth makes her the highest-paid female athlete in college sports today.

What her future holds is unknown but Dunne will have an array of high-profile options to choose from.

She has already appeared in several lucrative commercials, including one alongside Travis Kelce for an energy drink. Dunne has also posed for a photoshoot for the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.