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Why Ariel Winter Just Packed Up and Left Hollywood

Ariel Winter has said goodbye to Los Angeles for her sanity.

The actress appeared on Modern Family mom Julie Bowen’s podcast Quitters to discuss how she recently sold her house, packed a U-Haul and moved out of Hollywood with her boyfriend, Luke Benward, and dogs. The 24-year-old’s complicated relationship with fame is behind the move. She said having spent most of her life in the spotlight has caused her to grow tired of being tracked by paparazzi and having the photos used to fuel negative gossip stories about her.

“Part of the reason I always hated L.A. was because I have been followed by paparazzi for a very long portion of my life,” said Winter, who landed the role of Alex Dunphy at age 11. “I really, really dislike having my space invaded. I don’t like pictures of me [that] I haven’t signed up for. I don’t like feeling watched. I’ve always just wanted to live a very normal life, have a normal existence and I never really felt like I could do that. Everywhere I went, someone was taking my picture. I’m just not that person. Fame and all that is not something I’m interested in. I just want to live as normal a life as I can.”

Winter traced the start of the negative paparazzi and tabloid attention to 2012, when her then-momager, Chrisoula Workman, initially lost custody of her over allegations she had been abusive. The personal saga played out for years with Winter’s sister, Shanelle Gray, becoming her guardian before she became emancipated.

She called it “really traumatic” that 30 paparazzi followed her on a daily basis starting at age 14, shouting things and hoping to provoke a response for their photos. That trauma continued as she grew into a woman in the spotlight, having photos of her body scrutinized and shamed. She said paparazzi have continued to follow her today hoping to catch her “f*** up.” She said everything is given a “negative” twist and is spun into “lies.” Continue reading “Why Ariel Winter Just Packed Up and Left Hollywood”

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Ariel Winter Gushes Over Boyfriend Luke Benward, Talks Sarah Hyland’s Rescheduled Wedding

Ariel Winter is loving life these days! The 23-year-old actress has spent the past year dating her longtime pal, Luke Benward, and the transition from friends to couple has been special.

“Honestly, it’s been the best thing ever now, but it was pretty bizarre at first because that was never something that I expected at all,” Winter tells ET’s Katie Krause. “It’s been the biggest blessing for me. He is amazing. He is definitely my safe space. We’ve been able to grow together and not just be in a relationship, but we’re partners in business. We’re partners. He’s my best friend. He’s my boyfriend, so it’s really beautiful to be able to get to that place with somebody and to have the friendship foundation first and then to be able to grow into everything, is really, really beautiful.”

Winter says Benward helped her through quarantine and other tough times, for which she’s “very grateful.”

“I’m very grateful to have had that during this time and hopefully way longer,” she adds.

Love is in the air as Winter’s “Modern Family” co-star, Sarah Hyland, prepares for her wedding to Wells Adams, which had to be rescheduled amid the pandemic.

“It’ll be so great. I’m so happy for them. They’ll finally be able to have their beautiful wedding,” Winter says of her on-screen sister and the Bachelor Nation alum. “I’m really happy for them to have that day. I know that they both really love each other. They want to be married, and so I’m excited to see that.”

As for the rest of the “Modern Family” cast, Winter assures fans they “still love each other.”

“It’s definitely weird to not see them all the time. It’s weird to not spend eight or nine months out of the year with them almost every day,” she says of her former co-stars. “So, it’s definitely weird. I miss them a ton.” Continue reading “Ariel Winter Gushes Over Boyfriend Luke Benward, Talks Sarah Hyland’s Rescheduled Wedding”

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Ariel Winter Says Goodbye to Blonde as She Debuts Red-Hot Hair for Summer

Ariel Winter bid farewell to her recent platinum tresses and said hello to some fiery red locks. The 23-year-old actress debuted her new ‘do while leaving a salon in West Hollywood, Calif. on July 13.

Winter has rocked red hair before. After she wrapped up her role as Alex Dunphy on Modern Family last year, she dyed her strands a strawberry shade. She also went with a similar style in 2019, channeling the Little Mermaid and captioning a photo of her look with the words, “Part of yourrrrrr worrrrrld.”

In fact, Winter has played with a few different hair hues over the years, including black, brunette and pink.

“I’ve changed my hair so many times. I’ve really gone through some styles,” she once told Allure. “I think it’s important to experiment with your hair and your makeup and your look, because you never know what you like and don’t like until you try it. I’ve always been down to try new hair colors, makeup styles, clothing styles. I’m pretty open to trying literally anything in the beauty sector.”

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Ariel Winter And Mason Gooding Board Indie Feature ‘Pools’

Ariel Winter (Modern Family) and Mason Gooding (Booksmart) have joined the cast of the indie feature Pools, which begins production in Chicago later this month.

They’ll star opposite previously announced cast members Odessa A’zion (Grand Army), Michael Vlamis (Roswell, New Mexico) and Tyler Alvarez (American Vandal).

Written and directed by Sam Hayes, Pools follows Kennedy (A’zion), who is stuck at summer school after flunking her sophomore year of college. Amidst a heat wave, she rallies a ragtag crew for a pool-hopping adventure through the wealthy estates of Lake Forest, on the north shore of Chicago. But as the secrets spill, a wild night of fun becomes a cathartic journey of self-discovery.

Winter will play Delaney, who is one to stir the pot, and becomes the focal point of a love triangle. The character plays tough and always knows how to win, but she really just wants her best friend back. Gooding will portray Reed, the beating heart of the party, with the biggest heart of them all, who is looking for a fresh start and a good time in the wake of his shattered NFL dreams.

Pools’ producers are Adonis Tountas, Jack Heston, Mike Ware and Seth Savoy.

Best known for her turn as Alex Dunphy in ABC’s Emmy-winning series Modern Family, Winter has also featured over the years in such series as Sofia the First and Phineas and Ferb. On the film side, her credits include The Last Movie Star, Smurfs: The Lost Village, ParaNorman and more. The actress is represented by Management 360.

Breaking out with a supporting turn in Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart, Gooding has appeared more recently in Hulu’s Love, Victor which returns for its second season on June 11. The actor will also star in an upcoming installment of the Scream franchise, and in New Line’s Moonshot, alongside Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor. He is repped by Gersh and Sugar23.

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Ariel Winter Sells Modern Farmhouse, Buys Another

Covid-19 quarantines have just about everyone everywhere, including L.A’s rich and famous Tinseltowners, antsy for a change of scenery. While most make due with a day-trip up the coast or a stolen weekend in the desert, those with pockets deep enough can more momentously scratch that itch with a new house. Case in point: “Modern Family” star Ariel Winter, who has switched up her mid-pandemic residential circumstances with the slightly more than $2.8 million sale of a modern farmhouse-style home in L.A.’s increasingly celeb-favored Studio City community and the $3.5 million purchase of a somewhat larger (though not-so-dissimilar) modern farmhouse-style spread a short distance away.

Winter, who has grown up in front of TV viewing audiences from a mousey pre-teen to a bona fide bombshell, didn’t likely realize much (if any) profit on the house she’s just sold, which she bought about 3.5 years ago for a smidgen under $2.7 million. Obscured behind a tall hedge and equipped with a home automation system that incorporates a comprehensive security apparatus with eight cameras, the contemporary-minded traditional was newly built when she bought it and contains five bedrooms and five and a half baths in close to 5,100 square feet.

A serene courtyard entry and a double-height foyer give way to adjoining formal living and dining rooms, the former with an elegantly spare fireplace and both with eye-catching contemporary light fixtures that hang from coffered ceilings. A butlers pantry complete with a wine cabinet lined in whitewashed bricks links the dining room to a spacious gourmet kitchen that gleams with marble counters on sugar-white Shaker-style cabinets set off by stainless appliances and trendy brass sink fixtures. The kitchen is completely open to an informal dining area as well as a family room with a pale-grey polished marble fireplace between built-in storage cabinets as its focal point. Glass sliders vanish into the walls to merge the room with the backyard. A games room, guest suite and home office complete the main floor.
Upstairs, a second games lounge, this one with a pool table and built-in desks, is surrounded by a couple of family bedrooms with boldly tiled private baths. The principal bedroom faces the rear for maximum privacy and includes a fireplace, two fitted walk-n closets and a lavishly appointed bathroom large enough to comfortably accommodate a cherry red lounge chair and ottoman alongside the soaking tub and steam shower.

High hedges ensure the grassy backyard is completely private, while a covered patio and built-in grill amp up the al fresco entertainment options, as do the de rigueur swimming pool and spa.

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‘Modern Family’s Ariel Winter To Star In ‘Don’t Log Off’ Thriller From Baer Brothers

Ariel Winter has booked her first film role following her long and successful run as Alex Dunphy on ABC’s beloved sitcom Modern Family. Winter is joining Don’t Log Off, an indie feature set entirely during the early days of the COVID-19 quarantine. The comedy-thriller marks the directorial debut from the Baer Brothers, Brandon Baer and Garrett Baer.

Additional casting includes Luke Benward (Dumplin’) Ashley Argota (The Fosters), Brielle Barbusca (Big Time Adolescence), Sterling Beaumon (The Killing), Jack Griffo (Alexa & Katie), Khylin Rhambo (Teen Wolf), and Kara Royster (Pretty Little Liars)

Production is currently underway. The plot, written by the Brothers, revolves around six friends attending a virtual surprise party when the birthday girl suddenly goes missing.

It is a hybrid production, shot both virtually and on location. Beaumon, Benward, and Winter are also producing the project along with Nicole Smolen and Austin Seltzer.

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Ariel Winter & Luke Benward Have‘Definitely Discussed’ Marriage: When TheyPlan On Tying The Knot

Ariel Winter sees “long-term potential” in boyfriend Luke Benward, 25. The 22-year-old actress and the Dumplin’ actor have been inseparable since they were first spotted together on a dinner date in Oct. 2019. HollywoodLife spoke EXCLUSIVELY with a few sources close to the Modern Family star who dished on the lovebirds, revealing they have discussed “marriage” after being in quarantine together the past several months.

“Ariel and Luke are going strong and they’ve definitely discussed their future together,” one insider said. “Ariel not only sees long term potential in Luke, but she could see herself spending the rest of her life with him. Marriage has been a topic of discussion, but Luke’s younger sister, Gracie, 22, just got engaged last month, so she doubts Luke would be popping the question anytime soon. Plus, she knows if they’re going to be together forever, they have all the time in the world to figure things out so there’s no need to rush any of it or put a label on things. Ariel is super chill about it all and she’s just happy being with Luke.”

“Luke is Ariel’s whole world,” another pal close to the couple said. “She’s totally a part of his family and knows him so well. They were friends for so long before they got together so they really have a solid foundation to the relationship. They are such a good match, everyone expects them to go the distance.”

As we previously reported, Ariel and Luke have been friends for years so it’s no wonder she also gets along great with his family. In addition to Luke’s sister Gracie, she’s also close with his mom Kenda, dad Aaron and sister Ella. “Ariel fits in perfectly with Luke’s family, she’s gotten very close to his sisters and his mom, they treat her like one of the family,” HollywoodLife learned EXCLUSIVELY. “Luke is extremely tight with his family, they do dinners together every week and go to church together on Sundays. They’re basically the perfect family and Ariel loves being included, she’s very happy.”

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Ariel Winter Debuts Platinum Blonde

Anyone who watched Modern Family knows Ariel Winter (and her character, Alex Dunphy) as a brunette. However, when the show wrapped its final season in February, she wasted no time dyeing her dark-brown hair strawberry blonde. It didn’t come as a huge surprise — the actor had briefly dyed her hair red in 2019 between seasons and openly pined for a return to an orangey hue. But as much as she loved being a redhead, it appears Winter is ready to move on to an entirely new hair color.

Instead of returning to her natural dark-chocolate shade, Winter has bleached her hair platinum blonde. She debuted the new look on Instagram in a post featuring six similarly-posed photos in which she’s lounging on a striped outdoor sofa in Los Angeles. “Winter Is Coming!!!!!!!!!!!” she wrote in the caption — a Game of Thrones reference combining her last name and recalling the icy-blonde hair of Emilia Clarke’s character, Daenerys Targaryen. “You could play Marilyn,” another comment read. “Looking like Monroe!” a fan added.

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Ariel Winter on Mental Health, Trolls and Life After “Modern Family”

The changing seasons are always tumultuous, with storms washing away the stains of months past and nature struggling to shed or regrow. This spring has been particularly uncertain, to say the least. But in early March, when actor Ariel Winter showed up in Manhattan, it seemed spring had come early, and it wasn’t just the warm temperatures and premature blooms that indicated the shift.

On April 8, Modern Family will air its final episode, closing an 11-year chapter in Ariel’s life. The 22-year-old has played Alex Dunphy on the Emmy-winning show for exactly half of her life. With more than ten million viewers per episode, Ariel is very recognizable as Alex; she is someone viewers think they know. She has a dry sense of humor and a quick wit; she speaks fast and delivers punchlines with ease. In those ways, she’s like the character she plays on TV. But that’s where the comparison stops.

Ariel seems cognizant of the balance between performing, what people think Ariel Winter is like, and actually being Ariel Winter: She’s a smart, kind, and strong young woman who’s developeAriel is now emerging from the security of her long-running show as an adult, tasked with making her way in the world as a young woman. She’s still figuring out what that will look like.

“Life is not predictable,” Ariel tells Teen Vogue, sitting on a couch with her leg tucked under her newly red hair flowing over her shoulders. “That’s why it’s unknown and it’s scary. So I try to go with the flow as much as possible.” She’s just finished one photo shoot, and is pausing to chat before she rushes to another. “I do not like lack of control,” she adds. “I don’t like that. So that’s definitely been hard for me.”

But just because Ariel doesn’t know what the future holds doesn’t mean she doesn’t know who she is.d a thick skin over the years — but she’s not untouchable.

Some celebrities maintain a quiet, different-than-you air, even when you’re standing right next to them. But Ariel isn’t like that; she speaks easily and honestly and looks you in the eye. On a gray day in New York, stylists and makeup artists flurry around her, primping and preening her for a photo shoot. Ariel jokes with all of them, remaining flexible, working with the team to find outfits she likes. In front of the camera she moves with the confidence of someone who’s done this many times before. There’s no pretension to her.

Born Ariel Winter Workman, she grew up in Hollywood. Ariel first hit the scene at age five, in a Cool Whip commercial. After various smaller roles, she landed the part of Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, in 2009, when she was just 11, playing the nerdy middle child in a quirky but close family, often acting as the grounding presence in a head-in-the-clouds bunch. In real life, Ariel’s family life wasn’t quite as picturesque. She moved in with her sister, Shanelle Gray, when she was 14, and was legally emancipated from her mother — who she’s spoken about in the past — a year later. Continue reading “Ariel Winter on Mental Health, Trolls and Life After “Modern Family””

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Ariel Winter’s Next Chapter: Being Normal

Ariel Winter stepped on her first set — a commercial for Cool Whip — when she was just 4 years old. The Modern Family star, now 22, has lived her entire life inside Hollywood’s fishbowl, where social media trolls press their faces up against the glass and toss their unsolicited opinions into the water like bait. “They’re so detailed,” she says. “Somebody could comment a whole paragraph about one of my teeth all the way in the back, like, ‘Her canine is… too long and pointy!’ I wasn’t even smiling in any photo. How did you see that?” It’s no wonder that as Modern Family wraps its 11-season run, Winter finds herself craving mundanity. “A normal life is so precious,” Winter tells Elite Daily. “People inside Hollywood don’t realize that.”

Winter was homeschooled as a child, so the sets of the shows she guest-starred on functioned as her schoolyard. When she was 11, she didn’t crush on an awkward classmate, but on David Lyons, her uber-hot, much older, Australian ER co-star on ER. “It was never going to happen, obviously. But, in my heart, I was like, ‘Maybe.’” Lyons played a doctor who couldn’t save Winter’s character’s mom after a car accident, and the script called for her to aggressively fight him. “I don’t know what washed over me,” she says. “Instead of me trying to fight him off and run away, I just ran and jumped in his arms. It was like slow-mo. They cut and everyone was crying laughing. He was, and I was, mortified.”

Though Winter would have preferred not to make an absolute fool of herself in front of a film crew, going after her first crush, albeit unsuccessfully, was a rite of passage. She’s now on the cusp of another milestone: On April 8, Modern Family will air its series finale on ABC. Winter spent half her life playing Alex Dunphy, the highly intelligent middle child whose overachiever personality makes it hard to keep friends. In many respects, Winter is completely different from Alex — “[I] hated the clothes I had to wear” — but she still respects the hell out of the character. “What I’ve always liked about Alex is she always knew exactly what she wanted for her professional life,” she says.

Winter may not identify with Alex’s academic genius, but she can relate to feeling disconnected from her peers. “Homeschool is very isolating. I don’t really recommend it for people,” she says. “Having that life experience [is really important] — even though it will probably suck, because it sucks for everyone.” Winter moved in with her sister, Shanelle Gray, at 14 after being removed from her mother’s custody, and later emancipated, at which point she enrolled in “real” high school. “I was not good at it,” she says. “I didn’t really know how social interactions worked. I spent the majority of my life around adults, even as a kid. The majority of my friends were 20 years older than me. So I just wasn’t well-versed in talking to people my age.” Continue reading “Ariel Winter’s Next Chapter: Being Normal”