Ariel Winter's Shocking Revelations from Her Childhood

Ariel Winter, the beloved star of "Modern Family," has bravely shared the unsettling truth about her experiences growing up in Hollywood, revealing that she received 'inappropriate messages' from older men while just a minor on the set.

In a heartfelt interview with The Daily Mail, the now 27-year-old actress recounted how, starting at age 11, she began facing disturbing online interactions that would haunt her for years. "I don’t want to say too much about it, but by the time I was on a laptop and cell phone, I was getting inappropriate messages from older men, and it caused trauma," Winter disclosed.

Therapy and Healing: Winter's Journey

To cope with the lasting effects of these traumatic experiences, Winter sought therapy. "The experiences I had in person and online as a child have affected me so deeply that I’ve had to go to therapy for it," she admitted. In a move to turn her pain into purpose, she's now going undercover as an underage decoy to help catch alleged sexual predators for the YouTube documentary series "SOSA Undercover."

Surviving Hollywood's Harsh Reality

Ariel's struggles don't end there; she has previously opened up about vicious comments regarding her body image. In another interview, she revealed the cruel criticisms she faced, recalling, "It was just everywhere. Grown people writing articles about me saying how I looked terrible or pregnant or like a fat slut. I mean, I was 14. It totally damaged my self-esteem."

A New Mission: Protecting Young Girls

While Winter has not stepped away entirely from acting, she's passionate about using her platform to advocate for young women facing similar challenges. "Growing up in the entertainment industry, I’ve been the girl we are trying to save. It’s vital for me to help protect young women from the experiences I endured in my own life," she stated.

Winter's courage to speak out highlights not only her resilience but also the urgent need for change within the industry to protect vulnerable young stars.