Ariel Winter supports claims her mother would deprive her food, call her names

Modern Family actress Ariel Winter experienced some real-life drama in recent months, as she claimed her mother was verbally and physically abusive. Now in the comfort of her sister’s stable home, the 15-year-old Winter said she is much happier.

“My life is definitely more normal — and that’ll help me grow up like I’m supposed to,” Winter told Teen Vogue. “I didn’t have many friends. It was all about work. Nowadays, my sister’s like, ‘You’re supposed to have friends. You’re supposed to go out on Friday and Saturday nights.'”

According to court documents filed, Winter’s mother allegedly deprived her food and would snark about her weight. (The two are pictured above in 2012.) Workers on the set of Modern Family reportedly snuck food to Winter because they were aware of the situation with her mother. Winter’s mother, Chrisoula Workman, denied the claims. However, Winter was still placed under her sister’s temporary guadrianship. As we previously reported, Winter’s sister, Shanelle Workman-Gray, was removed for their parents’ home 20 years ago under similar claims of abuse investigated by the Department of Children and Family Services.

Fortunately, Winter’s living arrangement with her sister sounds to be a healthier environment.

“I had body insecurities when I was younger. I still do. Every girl has insecurities — mine were heightened at the time because my mother wasn’t supportive,” Winter said. “Now, my sister is always making sure to tell me that I look beautiful.”

^The sisters pictured together in 2012.

Rather than worrying about getting food, Winter now gets to stress about whether she’ll be asked to a school dance. In other ways, however, she is an atypical teen. Whereas many of her peers try to rebel against authority figures and push the limits, Winter said she is happy to have some rules and constructive guidance. She has a curfew and is thrilled to attend a physical school for the first time since she was in second grade.

“When people ask me where I go to school, I’ll finally actually have a school to say, not ‘Oh, the online school,'” Winter said of the school she is able to attend while working around her filming schedule.

Top photo from Splash News.