Ariel Winter Reveals the Cruel Body-Shaming She Endured While Filming “Modern Family”
Ariel Winter is no stranger to the dark side of fame. In a candid conversation with People, the former “Modern Family” star opened up about the emotional toll of growing up under constant public scrutiny—especially when it came to her appearance.
Ariel Winter on “Modern Family” Experience In Media
Winter, who played brainy middle child Alex Dunphy on the Emmy-winning series for 11 seasons, was just 14 when she found herself at the center of brutal media commentary. “It was every headline I read about myself,” she said. “Grown adults writing articles calling me fat, pregnant, or a slut—I was 14. It destroyed my self-esteem.”
The constant criticism made it nearly impossible for her to feel confident in her own skin. “No matter what I was going through, I was a target,” Winter admitted. “It made it very difficult to look in the mirror and say, ‘I love this version of me.’”
Ariel Winter’s Post “Modern Family” Life and Career
After “Modern Family” ended in 2020, Winter quietly moved away from Los Angeles with her boyfriend—but she’s quick to clarify that she never left the entertainment industry. These days, in addition to acting, she’s using her platform to support causes that matter to her. One of those is SOSA (Safe From Online Sex Abuse), an organization that works to protect young people from online predators.
“Technically, yes, I’m a survivor. I’ve gone through some shit,” she said. “But calling me a survivor isn’t the point. I’m here to help others and shine a light on the people who really need it.”
Winter’s story is one of resilience, but it’s also a reminder of the impact that words—and relentless scrutiny—can have on young people growing up in the spotlight.
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