Ariel Winter Goes Redhead: ‘Modern Family’ Star Debuts New Look For Prom

Ariel Winter is growing up fast on Modern Family. But as the actress’ Instagram pics show, she is a long way away from Alex Dunphy. While her character is bookish and reserved, Ariel debuted a new look last month: stunning redhead.

The bold look was on display last week when Winter got set to go to prom. A photo montage on April 28 showed Ariel accepting a corsage from her date and pinning a rose to his lapel. Winter was also snapped embracing her sister, actress Shanelle Gray.

Gray made news Monday when she was named Winter’s permanent guardian. Ariel, now 16, has been living with Gray, 35, since 2012 when allegations of abuse surfaced against Winter’s mother. Monday’s settlement concludes a long-running court battle. Although Winter will continue to live with Gray, her father will retain control of her finances until she is 18.

The judge in the case, Daniel Murphy, said any visits with her mother would be up to Ariel.

The court case had several dramatic turns, including one report that Ariel Winter’s mother wanted to drag all of the Modern Family cast into proceedings. Monday in court Winter’s mother showed her a video montage of family photos, in exchange for dropping her objections to Gray’s guardianship. According to People, the gesture made Ariel and Shanelle visibly emotional.

Guardianship issues aside, Winter seems to admire her older sister. In celebration of siblings day on April 10, Winter gushed about Gray, captioning a pic:

You have saved and changed my life in so many ways. You’ve taught me things I’ll never forget that have made me a better young woman, a better friend, a better sister, and most importantly you’ve taught me to have respect for myself and for others around me.

The prom photos show not only a gorgeous red tone to Winter’s hair, but Ariel’s true fashion sense as she stepped out in a flattering black gown. For that Ariel can apparently also thank her older sister, as she revealed on Twitter that the pair were on the hunt for the perfect dress:

Prom dress shopping with my lovely mister @shanelle_gray today!

— Ariel Winter (@arielwinter1) April 20, 2014

Hollywood Life reported that Ariel’s red look is the work of stylist Ashlee Zaka. This is the latest in a series of image shifts for Winter, who has also sported blonde locks and her natural brunette. The latest fashion incarnation for Winter involved not only color pigmentation, but also extensions to complete the show-stopping look. Since new acting projects are certainly on the horizon, this is probably not the last image change we will see from Ariel Winter.

[Image courtesy Instagram/Ariel Winter]