Follow That Girl: Jasmine Sanders

Meet “Golden Barbie.“

Her given name is Jasmine Sanders, and aside from blowing up Instagram (read: 1.3 million followers), she was just featured on the cover of Treats! Magazine with a pulse-quickening shoot by Tony Duran as well as a steamy video spot in the LOVE Magazine Advent Calendar. So you could she’s having a moment.

We sat down with her to talk about those projects, what she wants for Christmas and whether or not she’s been naughty or nice this year.

InsideHook: You go by “Golden Barbie” on Instagram and Twitter. Is there a story behind that name?

Jasmine Sanders: It’s actually from school. My teachers used to call me a barbie doll and my dad used to call me the golden child, so my sister and I appropriated it when social media took over. It wasn’t too thought out, but yeah. Cute little nickname.

IH: You’re on the cover of Treats! Magazine this month as part of a feature on models who have made it big on Instagram. How important has social media been to your success?

JS: I’ve been modeling for almost 11 years now, so at the beginning of my career it didn’t do too much for me — it was a lot of running around to castings and meeting with photographers and producers and going up against hundreds of girls and sitting in long lines. But it has helped me get in touch with my fanbase to see what I’m really doing on a day-to-day.

IH: Do you think Instagram has changed what it means to be a model, as far as having a more active role in shaping your image and building a following?

JS: It’s allowed me to show people and fans the behind-the-scenes: getting ready for shoots, the workouts beforehand. And it’s given me an easier way to stay in contact with my fans and friends. Kind of like a big Facebook for the world. I can share the brands I like to work with, and fans can see what stores I go to and buy the shoes and dresses you see me wearing during a campaign shoot or something.

LOVE 2015 Advent CalendarDay 13 – Jasmine Sanders by Doug Inglish 1:11

IH: You also recently appeared in the LOVE Magazine Advent Calendar alongside the likes of Miranda Kerr and Emily Ratajkowski. Is there any secret to gardening in garters and heels?

JS: My agent in New York got me that casting. I had no idea what I was going to be doing until a couple of days before, but it was something I was very excited about. I’m glad everyone loved it. On occasion I try to put on something sexy and clean up the house or yard. I’m always dancing around and being goofy. I have a roommate, though, so I don’t think he wants to see me running around the house like that!

IH: Are you doing anything special for the holidays this year?

JS: I had a friendsgiving for Thanksgiving, and I’m going to do the same for Christmas. Then I’ll take a nice vacation come New Year. It’s time to relax.

IH: You were born in Germany but grew up in South Carolina. Do you have any unique traditions that have roots in those places?

JS: My mom is full German. For Christmas, the American tradition is to open one gift on Christmas eve and the rest on Christmas day, whereas Germans open all of their gifts on Christmas eve. My mom used to try to sneak more gifts [on Christmas eve]. I keep the German tradition and open all of my gifts on Christmas eve.

IH: Were you naughty or nice this year?

JS: A little bit of both. I got all of my work done, but I like to play and have fun and drink and go out with my girls. But nothing too naughty. I’m mostly good.

IH: What’s the best gift a guy can get a lady for the holidays?

JS: For me it’s something that’s thought out and an experience. I’m not a materialistic girl. If I want something I go and get it for myself. I don’t want something that they can go and buy anywhere and anyone else can get. I want you to take me somewhere, and go on some type of adventure to a different country and make a fun new memory that’ll last longer than a physical gift. That’s me. But a lot of girls like jewelry.

IH: I saw a picture of Han and Chewy on your Instagram. See the new Star Wars yet?

JS: Oh yeah, I saw it yesterday. It was amazing. I don’t want to give away anything, but it was really good. Chewbacca is my favorite. It’s between Chewbacca and Yoda.

IH: Which one of those two is your spirit animal?

JS: Chewy. I’m more like Chewy. I’m the messy hair, all of over the place. And I’m very loyal.

IH: Loyal, huh? What’s the best lie you’ve ever told?

JS: I’m not really a liar. I try to keep it clean. I’m not even that naughty. I tell little lies. I always surprise family members when I fly home. Like, my sister has two kids, she just had a little boy, and so I’ll text her husband and say, “Don’t tell her that I’m coming to town!” But I’m not trying to get into any trouble. I learned the hard way. I was a bad kid, one of four, so there was a lot of lying going on in that household.

IH: When did the bad girl become the good girl?

JS: I think when my parents stopped caring. They were like, “dude, we don’t even believe it anymore. If you want to lie about something stupid go right ahead, but just know it’s going to bite you in your butt later.” I learned the hard way from that. It’s easier to tell the truth. There’s no reason to lie about anything. Just be happy. Nobody can control your life but you.

IH: You are the Golden Barbie.

JS: Yep.

—

Images courtesy Tony Duran for Treats! Magazine