Golding was born in India in 1971. Her parents were international aid workers and she was raised in several countries. Besides the United States, Golding also lived in India, Haiti, France and Italy. During her years in Italy, she competed on ice as a figure skater, but when an injury ended her skating career she started acting in theater. She returned to the US to attend Cornell University and earned degrees in Theatre Arts and International Relations.
Golding played District 2 tribute Enobaria in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
She also guest starred on Criminal Minds temporarily replacing A. J. Cook, and played villainous Selina in an episode of Burn Notice.
Golding is fluent in English, French, Haitian Creole and Italian.