‘Modern Family’ Star Ariel Winter Says She Doesn’t Have A Relationship With Her Mom

Modern Family actress Ariel Winter recently proved the point that not everyone can have the ideal family, when she revealed that she has not spoken to her mother in over three years. The confession was made during an interview with Good Morning America host Amy Robach, serving as a reminder that we all don’t come from families that share the same sense of loyalty and devotion that traditional families do.

Modern Family star Ariel Winter is selective about who she accepts as family

While it may seem like Ariel is unfairly turning her back on her mother, Chrisoula Workman, those that have followed Winter’s struggle to be free understand. Ariel allegedly endured years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Chrisoula, which later resulted in years of court battles, which, in turn, prolonged the effects of Workman’s treatment of the Modern Family actress.

Jimmy Workman, Ariel’s brother, refuted the actress’ claims, steadfastly defending their mother. He has described Chris as a devoted mother, someone who has always tried to give her children the best.

Regardless, Ms. Winter pursued justice through the courts, until she was finally emancipated in May 2015. Winter lives with sister Shanelle Gray, who had guardianship of the Modern Family actress from May 2014 until January 2016, when she turned 18.

“I don’t [have a relationship with my mom],” Winter said. “We haven’t spoken in three and a half years.”

Ariel said that going through the court proceedings was almost as bad as the abuse, because so much of the public picked apart every facet of the case. As many victims of crimes can attest, trials and civil cases can often lead to the victim feeling violated all over again. It is because of this experience that Ms. Winter is eager to go to college and pursue a career as a social justice lawyer.

Ariel Winter opens up about how breast reduction changed her life

When the topic of her breast reduction comes up, Winter seems to realize everyone else has been putting more emphasis on the subject than herself. In fact, she says she rarely thinks about her scars at all. The point was driven home by the strapless gown she wore to the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“I didn’t even think twice. It really astounded me when I was getting a lot of comments from people telling me to put my scars away and that they were gross,” the Modern Family actress said. “And I think that’s just so ridiculous considering they’re a part of me. They’re not going away.”

Ariel isn’t at all ashamed of her scars. She says it’s ridiculous that people are offended by them and suggesting she hide them from sight. It’s our scars that define us and distinguish us from one another, so maybe Ariel is right to expose them and show the world that there’s no shame in them.

Recalling her decision to go through with the breast reduction surgery, Winter says that, aside from the excruciating pain that resulted from carrying around so much weight, she was also motivated by the reactions of others. Ms. Winter said that her pictures were all too often captioned with comments about her breasts and cleavage, yet she has rarely been complimented for her acting talent. Even at red carpet events, the Modern Family actress was almost never questioned about her career or what awards for which she might be nominated. It has always been more about her cleavage, or her dress, or, more recently, her scars.

“And I thought that was really disappointing that everybody nowadays in the media, what we’re talking about is the way people look.”

[Image by Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images]