• Ariel Winter ‘Left L.A.’ to Build a New Life focused on healing and personal growth after childhood struggles in the spotlight.

• She continues her career in acting and producing, while embracing new passions like advocating against online predators.

• Winter now uses her platform to support causes such as animal rescue and online safety, helping others heal from trauma.

Ariel Winter, 27, decided to leave Los Angeles and start fresh after enduring a difficult childhood in the spotlight. While she gained fame playing Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, she also faced constant scrutiny from the media and online trolls. Critics harshly commented on her appearance as she grew up, which severely affected her self-esteem.

“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. It totally damaged my self-esteem”

Leaving L.A. for a Quieter, Happier Life

After Modern Family ended in 2020, Winter made the bold decision to move away from L.A. She and her boyfriend, actor Luke Benward, chose a quieter, more peaceful life away from the pressures of the city. Winter explains that L.A. held many difficult memories for her, and moving gave her the chance to live somewhere new.

Now, Winter enjoys a simpler life. She has leaned into domestic activities, such as cooking and caring for her six dogs. This change in scenery has helped her heal and find joy in everyday life. “I just left the city of L.A.,” she says. “It holds some not-great memories for me.”

Pursuing Her Passions While Staying Close to Home

Although she left L.A., Winter hasn’t left the entertainment industry behind. She continues to act and has expanded her career to include producing her own projects, a podcast, and even developing a cooking show. She’s found that she doesn’t need to live in L.A. to pursue her career.

“I’m young and never lived anywhere else,” she shares, adding that she realized she didn’t need to be in L.A. unless working on a project that requires it.

Embracing a New Passion for Advocacy

Along with her entertainment career, Winter has discovered a new passion for fighting online predators. She was inspired after watching a show about an organization that tracks online predators and helps law enforcement arrest them. This cause resonated deeply with her because of her own experiences as a child who faced online abuse.

Winter has now become involved in this cause, using her platform to raise awareness about online safety. She hopes to help others who have experienced similar trauma.

A New Chapter Focused on Helping Others

Today, Winter’s life is centered around healing, growth, and giving back. She uses her experiences to help others, whether through advocating for online safety, supporting animal rescue causes, or speaking out against online abuse. Winter is determined to use her platform to make a positive impact and inspire others to heal as well.

Leaving L.A. has allowed Winter to focus on what truly matters to her—creating a peaceful life while using her past to help others navigate their own struggles.