'Modern Family' Star Talks About the Abuses She Went Through as a Child
"Modern Family" star Ariel Winter admitted she had been "very torn" over how to present herself in her early years in show business. In a recent interview, the 19-year-old actress also talked about how the abuses she had to face as a child helped shape her life as an adult.
It was in 2015 that Winter gained emancipation from her mother, whom she described as being a "stage mom and worse." In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress revealed that since her father was not there most of the time, she had been left with her mother, who subjected her to different forms of abuse.
According to Winter, her mother not only mistreated her physically but also did not allow her to eat sometimes. She also revealed how her mother pushed her to be the best that she could be in the entertainment industry while neglecting her education, treating her like a sexual object from as early as age 12.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"People thought I was 24 when I was 12," the young actress said.
Winter also shared how the changes in her body as she was growing up conflicted with how her character in "Modern Family," Alex Dunphy, was presented in the early years of the show, forcing her to get dressed in loose clothing and even tie down her breasts.
"The first season I was very thin, no breasts, no hips," said Winter. "The next year, I had huge boobs and a butt." She said that back then, she never understood why her body needed to be covered up and she was very torn. The actress also shared how she was criticized and hated on social media for her style of dress and weight, causing her to feel bad about herself.
When Winter was 14, her situation with her mom was reported to the Los Angeles Child Protective Services by someone from "Modern Family" and she was placed under the custody of her elder sister, Shantelle Workman.
As an adult, the actress revealed that above anything, her mental health is her priority. While she did not have the best childhood, she said she was still grateful as her painful experiences in the past helped shape her into the person she is today.
