As the bespectacled, endearing overachiever Alex Dunphy in Modern Family, Ariel Winter once told her onscreen father: “Whenever I thought I couldn’t do something, you convinced me I could. It’s nice having someone in the house who believes in me.”
That kind of support appears to be something Winter has needed as she has struggled to replicate the success she enjoyed as a child star.
The actress, now 28, reportedly earned about $25,000 per episode during the first season of the hit sitcom. By the 11th and final season, that figure was believed to have risen to $100,000. Her success also made her a regular presence on magazine covers and at major events, including the Emmy Awards.
However, as she moved beyond her child-star image and adopted a more provocative style—wearing revealing outfits, bleaching her hair and displaying her relationships in public—her acting opportunities appeared to slow. Instead, she took roles in modest productions such as the 2023 comedy Tripped Up.
Winter eventually left Los Angeles and moved to Nashville with her then-boyfriend, actor and singer Luke Benward, 31.
Now, following the end of her six-year relationship with Benward last year, Winter is back in Hollywood and hoping to rebuild her career. She has also listed her Nashville mansion for $2.65 million.
Ariel Winter has found it difficult to secure major roles since Modern Family ended in 2020 after 11 seasons (pictured in 2024)
The 28-year-old became famous as Alex Dunphy on the ABC mockumentary and reportedly earned about $100,000 per episode during its final season
“Ariel has made it very clear that she wants to work full time again. She is back in Hollywood and networking constantly,” a source told Our News Outlet.
Her return to California six months ago, however, has reportedly been a humbling experience, with Winter failing to receive the welcome she had hoped for.
“She wanted a role on a major television show, something comparable to Modern Family, but people were not bringing her in for those parts because some industry figures believe she damaged her image by trying to appear overly sexy,” the source claimed.
After turning 18 in 2016, Winter began sharing more provocative photos on Instagram and wearing low-cut dresses.
“Ariel hurt her career by trying to present herself as extremely sexy,” the source said. “A director who knew her well said producers wanted her to look fresh-faced and relatable, not trampy.”
The source also claimed that some fans were uncertain about the shift in her public image.
“Fans wanted Ariel to remain more like Alex Dunphy after Modern Family. They did not want her to become a Britney Spears-style sex symbol; they wanted Alex. Now that Ariel is seeking work again, she has toned down that side of her image,” the source added.
“There are not many opportunities in Hollywood right now, so the choices are limited, and Ariel is not currently at the top of many people’s lists.”
After turning 18, the actress adopted a more provocative style with low-cut gowns, which the source claimed affected her appeal to Hollywood producers (pictured in 2018)
She also attracted increased attention for her romantic relationships (pictured with then-boyfriend Levi Meaden in 2019)
She later left Los Angeles for Nashville, where she lived with her then-boyfriend, actor and singer Luke Benward (pictured)
Winter is also being selective about the opportunities she pursues.
“She could easily have done reality television, but she did not want to go down that road,” the source said. “She did not want to be branded a reality star because her goal was to act. She loves acting.”
Her career in front of the camera has been shaped by difficult experiences from a young age.
Winter has said that her mother, Chrisoula Workman, pushed her into acting when she was four. She later accused Workman of abusive behavior and forcing her to diet, allegations Workman strongly denied.
In 2012, Winter’s older sister, Shanelle Grey, formerly known as Shanelle Workman, petitioned for guardianship. The arrangement became permanent in 2014, and Winter secured legal emancipation at 17.
Her early exposure to the entertainment industry also brought unwanted attention. Winter told Our News Outlet last year that older men approached her when she was a tween. She has since worked with SOSA, or Safe from Online Sex Abuse, to help identify online predators.
“I know what male predators are like because I began working in Hollywood at a very young age—when I was four,” she said.
“I do not want to say too much about it, but once I was using a laptop and cell phone, I began receiving inappropriate messages from older men, and it was traumatic.
“What happened to me in person and online as a child affected me so profoundly that I needed therapy. The film and television industry can be a dark place.”
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“She wanted a major television role, something comparable to Modern Family, but some industry figures believe she damaged her image by trying to appear overly sexy,” the source claimed (pictured with the Modern Family cast)
She is now taking measured steps toward a comeback, including voice roles in Disney’s Sofia The First, left, and AppleTV’s The Sisters Grimm, right
Winter has also endured intense public scrutiny over her body. In July 2025, she told Our News Outlet: “Having my figure discussed publicly was a major part of my teenage years.”
She was sometimes called overweight. “It was everywhere. Every headline I saw about myself focused on it,” she recalled. “I was only 14.”
Winter said an antidepressant she took during high school caused her to gain 30 pounds. After she lost the weight, she faced a different wave of criticism and was accused of being too thin.
“Being criticized constantly was difficult,” she said. “Then I began a process of healing myself. I have wonderful people around me.”
The focus on her appearance also overshadowed her work as an actress.
“It became damaging. Suddenly, everyone was discussing her body, her weight and her clothes, none of which had anything to do with acting. She became a tabloid personality rather than an actress,” the source said.
Although Nashville offered Winter a quieter life, the move did little to keep her career in the spotlight.
“I think people simply forgot about her. It became, ‘Ariel who?’ It was unfortunate because she is a talented actress and very beautiful,” the source said.
Winter, who has been cutting costs by living with her Modern Family co-star Nolan Gould, was cast last month in Hallmark+’s new series Change of Heart
According to the source, Winter is taking a deliberate approach to winning major acting opportunities again. She has been “working hard to get back into everyone’s good graces by auditioning, attending meetings, submitting self-tapes and remaining open to different possibilities.”
“Ariel has been sensible about taking small steps back into the business,” the source said. “She continues to provide voice work for Sofia the First, a series she has worked on for years and genuinely enjoys.
“She is also voicing The Sisters Grimm, which gives her steady work and income. She is showing that she is willing to take on any acting opportunity.”
Winter, who is reportedly saving money by living with her Modern Family co-star Nolan Gould, 28, has already secured a new role. In October, she was cast in Hallmark+’s Change of Heart, playing the sister of a divorce attorney, portrayed by Sam Jaeger, who becomes driven to help others after receiving a heart transplant.
“That is a strong step in the right direction. It will remind people that she can act, works hard and is worth the investment,” the source said.
Winter’s apparent blueprint for a comeback is Lindsay Lohan, whose highly publicized breakdown beginning in 2007 was followed by multiple arrests and stints in rehabilitation. After finding love with financier Bader Shammas and marrying him in 2022, the 40-year-old actress rebuilt her life and returned to Hollywood.
“Remember when Lindsay made those cheesy Christmas films for Netflix that audiences loved?” the source said, referring to 2022’s Falling For Christmas and 2024’s Our Little Secret.
“They performed very well. Now Lindsay is leading feature films such as Freakier Friday. Ariel believes she can follow the same route and achieve what Lindsay did.”
Winter, Hyland and Gould portrayed siblings on the popular ABC series
Winter’s Modern Family co-star Sarah Hyland, 35, has had a smoother transition since the ABC comedy ended
The career path of Winter’s Modern Family co-star Sarah Hyland, 35, has been difficult to overlook. Hyland made a smoother transition after the sitcom ended, appearing in Broadway productions of The Great Gatsby and Just In Time.
“She has become a respected musical theater actress and is thriving. She works consistently and is taken seriously,” the source said of Hyland, adding that she is “happily married” to television personality Wells Adams. “Everything seemed to fall into place for Sarah.”
For Winter, however, the outlook now appears to be improving.
Alongside her new acting job, she has also begun a new relationship. Winter told People that she is dating one of Gould’s friends, although she declined to reveal his identity.
“She recently started seeing someone new and has told friends that she is enjoying herself,” the source said. “Her team also genuinely believes she can make a comeback. She deserves one because she has faced a lot, has always worked hard and is a very kind person.”
Our News Outlet has contacted representatives for Winter for comment.
