‘Modern Family’ Star Ariel Winter Defends Racy Photos: ‘Let Me Live!’

Modern Family star Ariel Winter seems to be one of those celebrities who draws attention no matter what she does, and that includes how she dresses. Winter has been praised for possessing a positive body image and refusing to let others dictate how she should dress or present herself, while others criticize Ariel for those same things, suggesting that, as the star of a family oriented series like Modern Family, Winter should dress more moderately. In response, Ariel asserts her own free will and her right to wear whatever she chooses, reminding critics that they have no right to dictate how she lives her own life.

Ariel Winter’s Instagram: Slut Shaming Not Allowed

In spite of how it might seem, Ariel Winter told Entertainment Tonight that her Instagram posts aren’t designed to elicit responses, either negative or positive, from her followers. The Modern Family actress said there’s no intent or motive behind her shares, other than to have fun and enjoy her life. In addition to having fun, Ariel says she does like to share her activities with fans, so they can feel included in what she’s doing in her life.

Ms. Winter says she’s recently been criticized for photos in which she appears to be showing off her backside, but the Modern Family star says, even if that is the case, it’s nothing for which she feels she should be ashamed.

“Everybody is so hyped up on the fact that I post photos where my butt’s out. It’s a butt. Everyone has a butt,” 18-year-old Winter says. “I don’t think it’s crazy.”

Ariel adds that she’s not doing anything questionable and certainly nothing more than millions of other Instagram users do on a daily basis, whether her pictures show her in cut-off jeans and a T-shirt or a two-piece bikini. Critics seem to suggest the Modern Family actress should bundle herself up and force herself to be miserable, just to make her haters happy.

“It’s like, ‘Let me live! I’m enjoying my life, you’re enjoying your life, you should be posting your butt if you like it, too!'”

Modern Family‘s Ariel Winter Finds Romance With Sterling Beaumon

Beating Ms. Winter to the punch in making any kind of an official announcement, E! News has discovered that Ariel and Sterling Beaumon are caught up in a fresh romance. Winter has been spotted in the company of Sterling more than a few times in recent months. Most recently, Beaumon escorted Winter to Variety‘s Power of Young Hollywood party on Tuesday night, where Ariel gave a speech for Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

“They were together the whole night,” one guest told E! News. “Anytime she would walk away to socialize with someone, he would follow. It was obvious he was her date.”

Obvious or not, it was equally clear that Winter and Beaumon were trying to keep things quiet, trying not to raise undue attention to their romance, possibly wanting to see if they hit it off before going public. The couple avoided any public displays of affection and spent parts of the evening separated, with Winter socializing and chatting with her publicist. At the same time, Sterling was off hanging out with friends.

This wasn’t the first time Winter and Beaumon received unwanted attention. It seems guests are always interested in Ariel and her new boyfriend.

“The two arrived at the SkySpace LA event together and left together,” a source said of Winter and Beaumon at a previous gathering. “They were seen hanging out all night and it seemed like they were more than just friends. They were definitely very flirty and always close to each other.”

[Image by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images]