Movies

Modern Family’s Ariel Winter Opens Up About Traumatic Experiences She Had Growing Up In Hollywood: ‘The Movie And TV Industry Is A Dark Place’

BBG News

Ariel Winter began her acting career at the tender age of 11 when ‘Modern Family’ debuted in 2009, portraying the role of Alex Dunphy, the middle child. As the years passed and the show continued, America witnessed her transformation from a young girl into a woman. The actress, with several upcoming projects slated for release in 2025, has been open about her struggles, describing them as challenging and unpleasant. Once more, she shared details about some distressing experiences she encountered during her early acting days in the Hollywood industry.

Ariel Winter, who started acting at preschool age and gained fame on TV, has spoken about challenges like getting braces, puberty, and being judged based on her weight. However, the inappropriate treatment she faced didn’t start during her teen years; it began much earlier in her life. In an interview with The Daily Mail, the actress shared this insight.

At an early age, particularly in Hollywood, I had extensive experience dealing with potential male threats due to starting my career there when I was just four years old.

It appears that her background in the entertainment industry as a child might have inspired her latest venture, titled SOSA Undercover. This true crime docuseries, set to debut on July 17, 2025, in YouTube’s television schedule, focuses on the activities of SOSA (Safe from Online Sex Abuse), a nonprofit organization. They collaborate with law enforcement agencies to carry out undercover operations and identify and arrest sexual predators and traffickers online.

Ariel Winter openly admitted that the experiences she encountered in her past still have an impact on her as an adult, expressing this candidly.

I’d rather not delve deeply into the subject, but I received inappropriate communications from older men via my computer and mobile device, which left me with emotional wounds.

Instead of only happening online, it extended beyond that as well. Although she preferred not to disclose specifics, she did mention that she eventually reached out for specialized assistance. Continuing the conversation, the actress from Modern Family added:

Or in a more conversational tone:

It wasn’t limited to the internet, and she chose not to share too much about it, but she did mention that she got professional help in the end. In other words, the star of Modern Family explained:

As a child, both my face-to-face and virtual encounters left such a profound impact on me that I needed counseling to cope with it all. The world of film and television can be quite troubling at times.

Previously, Ariel Winter has spoken candidly about experiencing body shaming from fans during her time on the award-winning sitcom. At just 13 years old, she was labeled as a “fat slut.” As she started taking antidepressants and gained approximately 30 pounds, the harsh comments continued. Reflecting on this period, she expressed that it was painful to have adults discussing her adolescent body so critically, admitting that it significantly impacted her self-confidence.

Apart from undergoing therapy, the star of “Sofia the First” has taken additional steps towards recovery. In 2022, Winter departed Hollywood and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, joining a group of celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey, Florence Pugh, James Van Der Beek, among others, who chose to leave Los Angeles. She stated that living in L.A. prevented her from leading a “regular life,” and she disliked being pursued by paparazzi and having her photos taken constantly.

It’s likely that Ariel Winter is still recovering from the hardships she faced in her childhood. With her involvement with SOSA, there’s a chance she could contribute to sparing others from experiencing similar ordeals. Revisit her days on Modern Family by streaming the sitcom via Hulu or Peacock subscription, and don’t forget to catch her true crime docuseries SOSA Undercover on YouTube, premiering on July 17.

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2025-07-11 19:37

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