Ariel Winter, known for her role as Alex Dunphy on the hit sitcom Modern Family, recently garnered attention for a captivating performance in an empty theatre. The 27-year-old actress shared a video showcasing her singing the iconic song “Part of Your World” from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, while donning striking cut-out pants and a minimalistic bra.
In the video, Winter playfully welcomed her fans with the line, “Hey MTV, welcome to my crib…” Her impressive vocal performance quickly drew praise from viewers. Fellow Modern Family star Rico Rodriguez, who portrayed Manny Delgado on the series, commented on her performance, saying, “Need a full season of this!”
Addressing Body Image and Online Criticism
Winter has been candid about her experiences with body image and online bullying. In response to negative comments about her appearance, she took to Instagram with a heartfelt message about the importance of self-acceptance. She stated, “Every time someone bullies me online, it gives me a chance to re-emphasize to my fans, and even myself, how important self-acceptance is.”
The actress emphasized that the harsh words directed at her may reflect the internal struggles of those making the comments. “Stop the hate. Accept all that you are and know your flaws are what make you the PERFECT you,” she added.
Beyond addressing online harassment, Winter has also opened up about her childhood experiences in Hollywood, revealing the “trauma” she faced after being targeted by “male predators” at the age of 12.
“I am familiar with male predators because I worked in Hollywood at a young age,” Winter told DailyMail.com. She described receiving inappropriate messages from older men as early as when she was using a laptop and cellphone, which had a lasting impact on her mental health.
Taking Action Against Online Predators
In an effort to combat online sexual abuse, Winter has partnered with the organization SOSA (Safe From Online Sex Abuse). This group focuses on posing as decoys to lure in online predators and works closely with law enforcement to facilitate arrests.
Winter actively participates in undercover operations, stating, “It’s nerve-racking. We build decoy rooms in case the [predator] wants to see our rooms. We have personas. It’s very serious.” Although she finds the work rewarding, she admits it can sometimes trigger memories of her past traumas.
“I didn’t realize it would bring up some of the things past traumas for me that it did,” she revealed. Through her advocacy and performances, Ariel Winter continues to inspire her fans, promoting body positivity while tackling serious societal issues.
