Ariel Winter Opens Up About Body-Shaming and the Toll of Fame During Modern Family Years

Ariel Winter attends the 4th Annual Legacy Ball at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California. Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty

By Lena Whitmore

staff writer

May 8, 2025

Former Modern Family star Ariel Winter is speaking candidly about how fame at a young age impacted her mental health and self-image. In a recent interview with People.com, Winter revealed the emotional toll of being body-shamed during her formative years while playing the beloved character Alex Dunphy on the Emmy-winning sitcom.

Winter, who was just 14 years old when the show gained popularity, said she often found herself at the center of cruel media attention. “It was every headline I read about myself—grown people writing articles about me saying how I looked terrible or pregnant or like a fat slut,” she recalled. “I mean, I was 14. It totally damaged my self-esteem.”

Despite navigating adolescence under the spotlight, Winter said the criticism made it difficult for her to develop a healthy relationship with her body. “No matter what I was going through, I was a target. It made it very difficult to look at myself in the mirror and go, ‘I love this version of me.’”

Modern Family ran from 2009 to 2020, spanning 11 seasons and winning 22 Emmy Awards, including five for Outstanding Comedy Series. Though the mockumentary-style show was beloved by fans, behind the scenes, Winter’s experience wasn’t always easy.

After the show ended, she and her boyfriend chose to leave Los Angeles, though she clarified she hadn’t left the industry entirely. “Technically, yes, I’m a survivor. I’ve gone through some...” she said, hesitating. “But a lot of people have gone through some shit. Calling me a survivor takes away from what I’m here for, which is to help others and shine a spotlight on those that need it.”

Now, Winter is channeling her voice into advocacy. She works with SOSA (Safe From Online Sex Abuse), an organization dedicated to protecting children and teens from predators online—an issue she’s deeply passionate about.

Ariel Winter’s journey from child star to advocate highlights not only the dark side of early fame but also the strength it takes to heal and fight for others.