Modern Family’s Ariel Winter recently made an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and discussed her emancipation from her mother , Chrisoula Workman, reports the New York Daily News . Winter was emancipated as a minor last year following a long court battle, where the Department of Children and Family Services discovered evidence that Workman had emotionally abused Ariel. Winter was living with her 37-year-old sister, Shanelle Gray, for a number of years while never speaking to her mother.
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“It’s most definitely hard to grow up in the industry, but just [to] grow up in any instance without a mother from a very young age,” Ariel Winter told DeGeneres.
Ariel also accused her mother of not only emotional abuse , but physical abuse as well.
“And it has been very sad for me, but at the same time it’s been much better for me emotionally and physically to be on my own and have a better, safer household and support system. I don’t really talk about the reason that I don’t speak to my mother. It’s kind of been publicized, but the reason I don’t really share that is because I want to give her the respect that she didn’t give to me publicly.”
Winter went on to say that it has been difficult and sad growing up in the entertainment industry without a loving mother figure, but now that she has a strong support system, she is in a better place.
“I’m really lucky I have an amazing support system and lovely people in my life who have given me the support and guidance to have been given this wonderful opportunity,” Winter wrote on Twitter last year.
Chrisoula Workman appeared on an episode of Dr. Phil in late 2013 to share her side of the story and deny any claims that she had ever been emotionally or physically abusive. But while speaking with Ellen, Ariel declared that her appearance on Dr. Phil was in no way a legitimate attempt to heal their broken relationship. Neither Ariel nor her sister Shanelle have a relationship with their mother. Earlier this month, Ariel revealed on Good Morning America that it has been three and a half years since she and her mother last spoke.
In fact, it sounds as if just having a close relationship with Shanelle is all Ariel needs. Gray filed to become the guardian of Winter in October of 2006.
“She’s been the best part of my life. She really is my best friend,” Winter said . “She’s the most important thing to me. She’s been there for me through absolutely everything. And I just love her so much. I count on her more than anything.”
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Ariel Winter plays Alex Dunphy on Modern Family , and the ABC sitcom is currently in its seventh season. Winter tells Ellen that she loves her character, with DeGeneres commenting that Alex is the coolest character on the show due to the fact that she’s the smartest. Ariel agreed and felt it was important for young girls to see a female character being incredibly smart. Ariel absolutely loves the show and wants to continue with an acting career, but she is interested in becoming a lawyer, stating that she has already begun looking at colleges.
The topic of conversation moved to Winter’s breast reduction and Ariel being bullied and criticized for her decision to have the procedure done. Winter stated that her body began developing at 12-years-old, and she’s been dealing with criticism ever since. She admits that she has insecurities and some of the criticism was upsetting, but she wanted to make her decision to have her surgery public. Regardless of the backlash she has received because of it, it’s a decision Ariel Winter was and is proud of.
[Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images]
