Livvy Dunne Addresses Kentucky Oaks Interview Criticism
Here’s the thing: Livvy Dunne’s Kentucky Oaks interview has been the internet’s new favorite cringe clip, and she’s finally setting the record straight. In a candid Instagram Story (later archived), the 21-year-old LSU gymnast turned TikTok star broke her silence, explaining why she froze up during that now-infamous on-camera moment. According to her own account and coverage by People Magazine and Dotdash Meredith, Dunne was caught off guard by the roar of the crowd, the chaos of the barn scene, and questions she hadn’t prepped for—her voice trembling as she admitted she “couldn’t even hear” the interviewer over the noise.
Livvy isn’t sugarcoating it: she was flustered, overwhelmed by the “whole Derby weekend vibe,” and relying on soundbites she’d never practiced. Sources say the culprit was a combo of stadium acoustics and zero teleprompter. One clip shows her stumbling through a question about her favorite horse, leading viewers to label her “awkward” and “unpolished.” Dunne’s response? A low-key apology to anyone who felt embarrassed on her behalf, paired with a reminder that social media can be brutal—even for someone with millions of followers.
Digging deeper, insiders told Dotdash Meredith that this was Livvy’s first major live-event press moment; most of her interviews have been quick TikTok clips or Q&A sessions with fans. People Magazine points out that she’s usually composed under pressure—a decorated gymnast who’s no stranger to high-stakes competition. Yet this particular red-carpet feel was a different beast entirely. In her video, Dunne quipped that she felt like a “fish out of water” amid fashion hats, mint juleps, and journalists expecting a polished sound bite.
Of course, the internet ran wild. Memes, reaction threads, and late-night jokes flooded Twitter hours after the Oaks wrapped. But Livvy’s call-out wasn’t defensive grandstanding—it was a reminder that even digital savants can choke under the bright lights. She even offered up a few laughs, sharing behind-the-scenes snaps of her post-interview meltdown, hair askew and all. Fans rallied in her comments, praising her vulnerability and “so-relatable” honesty.
Whether you think she handled it like a champ or believe she should’ve been more media-trained, one thing is clear: Livvy Dunne’s Kentucky Oaks cameo will keep trending until she shows up at the Derby itself and nails it. What’s next on her calendar? A major gymnastics showdown, a podcast debut, or maybe another high-profile sporting event? Stay tuned. If this keeps gaining traction, don’t say you weren’t warned.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Dotdash Meredith
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
