Movies

‘I Understood What It Was Like To Be Hated:’ Ariel Winter Opens Up About Being Body-Shamed As A Teenager And Why It ‘Damaged My Self-Esteem’

BBG News

As a longtime fan, I’d like to highlight that Ariel Winter, renowned for portraying Alex Dunphy in “Modern Family,” has been gracing our screens since the tender age of four. What sets her apart from many other child stars is her decision to leave the bustling Hollywood scene behind and settle in Virginia. Her childhood, spent amidst the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, was marked by personal and professional upheavals that ultimately led to this move. Now, the actress who brought Alex Dunphy to life offers insights on the public backlash she faced during her formative years and how it impacted her self-esteem.

Winter shared insights from her past, touching upon childhood traumas such as the constant scrutiny experienced during her role as the middle Dunphy child on television. When the series began, she was only 11 years old, yet each year brought more unfavorable media attention, often focused on her appearance. This relentless barrage eroded her self-confidence significantly, as she put it herself.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I found myself inescapable in the limelight at an age where it felt utterly unwarranted. Every news headline I stumbled upon seemed to be about me, with mature individuals publishing articles that criticized my appearance, suggesting I looked unwell, pregnant, or overweight, even going as far as calling me disrespectful names like a ‘fat slut’. At 14 years old, this relentless scrutiny took a heavy toll on my self-image and self-worth.

I’m deeply troubled as a fan and someone of similar age to Sarah Hyland and Ariel Winter, seeing a talented actress like Ariel face such challenges at just 14. Regrettably, this issue is far too prevalent among young women in Hollywood. At the time of the Modern Family finale, she was only 21 years old. It’s disheartening to think about anyone enduring such harsh public scrutiny at such a tender age. Perhaps it’s because I feel like an older sister towards Ariel, but it’s heart-wrenching. Thankfully, their strong bond as Haley and Alex Dunphy from Modern Family provides support for each other through any hardship they may face.

A former student from the “Speed Racer” series openly discussed that era, mentioning she was aware her actions would lead to discussions and criticism, even hatred. In her own words:

“I knew I’d be a topic of conversation and faced with disapproval, if not outright hatred.

Experiencing the feeling of being loathed became my reality. Regardless of the challenges I faced, I always seemed to be under attack. This harsh treatment left me struggling to find acceptance within myself, often questioning, ‘Can I truly love this person I see reflected in the mirror?’

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel my heart ache over the immense talent that Winter possessed. I recall the headlines and tales that seemed to cast a harsh light upon her, leaving me disheartened. To my eyes, Winter more than held her own amongst her peers, but it’s a genuine pity that criticism focused on her appearance overshadowed her performance, causing harm at such a tender age.

Following the completion of 11 seasons, the actress from “Sofia the First” took the required steps to leave behind triggers from her past. Initially, she, along with her partner Luke Benward, were among those who left Hollywood for new beginnings. Notably, Virginia (Winter’s original home state) was their destination before they moved to L.A. As a part of this cross-country shift, Winter gave us a peek into her life beyond the show and even revealed an expletive tattoo. It appears that as time goes by, Winter is gradually healing and developing past her childhood and television-related traumas.

At TopMob, we sincerely hope that Ariel Winter experiences only positive progress as she heals emotionally and continues to grow beyond the pain caused by body-shaming remarks.

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2025-05-08 03:45

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