Modern Family fans have long wondered what drove Ariel Winter to leave the bright lights of Los Angeles. After over a decade of portraying the witty and brainy Alex Dunphy on the hit sitcom Modern Family, Winter quietly stepped away from her hometown. Now, in a candid interview, she’s opening up about the emotional and personal reasons behind the move. This gives fans clarity on where Winter lives now and why she left.
Ariel Winter details the reason behind leaving LA
When Modern Family wrapped in April 2020, Ariel Winter fans assumed she would stay close to Hollywood. Instead, she moved out of L.A. with her boyfriend Luke Benward. According to Winter, the city held painful memories rooted in years of cyberbullying and personal turmoil.
In a recent interview with People, Winter revealed how growing up in the spotlight led to years of emotional damage. “It was every headline I read about myself, like, grown people writing articles about me saying how I looked terrible or pregnant or like a fat slut. I mean, I was 14,” she said. The endless scrutiny, particularly about her body, severely impacted her self-esteem.
Moreover, Winter endured a publicly strained relationship with her mother, Chrisoula Workman, which led to child protective services stepping in when she was 14. She was placed in the care of her sister, Shanelle Gray, who later became her legal guardian. “I went on to have a great rest of my teenage years thanks to being under her custody,” Winter said. After three years, she was legally emancipated and has since cut ties with her mother.
Leaving the city allowed Winter to reclaim peace. “I didn’t leave the industry… I just left the city of L.A. It holds some not-great memories for me,” she clarified. She continues to act, is producing projects, and is even developing a podcast and cooking show.
Now, Ariel Winter is living a grounded life in Nashville, Tennessee, with her boyfriend and their six dogs.
