About
Jasmine Sanders, better known online as “Golden Barbie,” is a German-born, South-Carolinian-raised model and digital creator whose bright smile and sun-kissed curls have become fixtures on catwalks, magazine covers, and social feeds. Starting her career in her early teens, she has evolved into a global fashion favorite, fronting campaigns for brands ranging from Miu Miu and Moschino to Victoria’s Secret and Savage X Fenty. Sports Illustrated crowned her Rookie of the Year in 2019; one year later she shared the coveted SI Swimsuit cover, and in 2025 she returned to the magazine’s pages for a snowy Swiss photo shoot celebrating its 60th anniversary. With more than six million Instagram followers, Sanders blends high-fashion polish with approachable lifestyle content, using her platform to champion self-love, diversity, and mental-health awareness.
Before Fame
Born on June 22 1991 in Frankenthal, Germany, to a German cosmetics-artist mother and an African-American U.S. Army veteran father, Jasmine moved to Columbia, South Carolina, before her first birthday. She began modeling at 13, posing for teen favorites such as Seventeen and Hollister, then shifted toward high fashion after walking Miu Miu’s runway at Paris Fashion Week in 2016. Early Tumblr popularity, coupled with a knack for playful, behind-the-scenes photos, helped her build a loyal online community long before “influencer” was a buzzword. That digital savvy later translated into collaborations with Reebok—she even designed her own sneaker in 2017—and regular red-carpet appearances at the Grammys, Cannes, and the Venice Film Festival.
Trivia
- Nickname origin: Friends dubbed her “Golden Barbie” for her golden curls and doll-like features, a handle she turned into a personal brand across social media.
- Sports Illustrated streak: Since her 2019 rookie spread in Costa Rica, Sanders has featured in every SI Swimsuit issue, filming in locales from Bali to Belize and, most recently, the Swiss Alps.
- Fitness flair: A certified gym enthusiast, she often shares “leg-day” routines created with strength coach Anthony Rhoades, inspiring followers to move their bodies confidently.
- Charity champion: Jasmine serves as an ambassador for She’s The First, supporting girls’ education worldwide, and she is an inaugural patron of the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.
- Reality-TV cameo: In 2015, an episode of MTV’s Catfish highlighted a case where someone used her images, thrusting her further into pop-culture conversation and prompting her to advocate for internet safety.
Family Life
Sanders credits her tight-knit family for keeping her grounded. Her mother, Ursula, travels with her on shoots as a trusted glam artist and confidante, while her father proudly cheers from the sidelines—he once joined her for Monday Night Football in Los Angeles, a memory she calls “pure joy.” Jasmine’s older sister, Alisha, lives in South Carolina and regularly appears in birthday shout-outs and nostalgic throwbacks on Jasmine’s feed. As for romance, the model began dating personal-trainer Anthony Rhoades in 2020, and the couple celebrated their commitment with complementary tattoos of each other’s names. Recent TikTok chatter hints at a quiet split in spring 2025, though neither has addressed the speculation publicly, underscoring Jasmine’s preference to keep deep personal matters mostly offline.
Associated With
- Sports Illustrated family: Sanders shares SI “Legend” status with icons like Tyra Banks and Ashley Graham, citing their mentorship as motivation to push boundaries for body positivity in fashion.
- Runway regulars: She has walked beside supermodels Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid for designers such as Moschino and Jeremy Scott, praising the sisters for their work ethic and sense of fun backstage.
- Beauty visionary Pat McGrath: Makeup maestro McGrath tapped Jasmine as a muse, often featuring her luminous complexion in editorial campaigns that redefine modern glam.
- Fitness circles: Through partner workouts and social-media challenges, she collaborates with celebrity trainers and wellness brands, echoing the philosophies of peers like Lori Harvey in promoting balanced, inclusive fitness.
