Landon Barker and his girlfriend, model Skyla Sanders, kissed on the red carpet Sunday as they made their public debut at the MTV Video Music Awards at the UBS Arena in New York City.
The 21-year-old musician, son of drummer Travis Barker, and 20-year-old Sanders posed for photographers and exchanged a kiss as cameras clicked. The pair went public on Instagram in May and Barker was seen showing a tattoo of his girlfriend’s name on his wrist earlier this year.
Barker wore a classic black tuxedo jacket without a shirt, revealing a tattooed chest and a wrist tattoo bearing Sanders’s name. The jacket featured sparkling appliqués on the collar and sleeve. Sanders wore a strapless black bodycon dress with sheer side panels and a lace bodice, pairing the look with fur-accented high heel mules. Observers noted natural-looking makeup and loose curls in her long, blonde hair.
Sanders, a New York University student, is the daughter of model and actress Liberty Ross and director Rupert Sanders. She has posted frequently to social platforms in a modeling capacity. Earlier this month, Sanders shared a photo on which Barker commented, "Your beautiful bae!" and referred to her as "my girlfriend" on another post.
Barker, who has released music including the single "Friends with Your Ex," previously dated social media star Charlie D’Amelio for more than a year. The pair announced their split in February 2024, saying they were taking time to "focus on ourselves." Since going public with Sanders in May, Barker has continued to pursue music and modeling work and has secured brand collaborations, including with Revolve and Dossier perfumes.
The couple’s appearance drew additional attention because of their connection to Barker’s father, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, and his wife, Kourtney Kardashian. In August, Travis Barker was criticized on social media for reacting with an anchor emoji to a carousel of photos featuring Landon and Sanders, including an image of Sanders posing on a bed in a bikini. Some users called the comment inappropriate, while others defended the elder Barker as being supportive.
Travis Barker and Kardashian married in 2022 in an Italy ceremony that increased public scrutiny of their family’s private life. The higher profile has coincided with expanded attention to Landon Barker’s career opportunities, including modeling bookings and music promotions.
At the VMAs, the couple’s red carpet moment was brief but conspicuous, reflecting continued public interest in the family and in Barker’s evolving presence in music and fashion.