Ariel Winter Is ‘Not Ashamed’ Of Her Breast Reduction Scars, Defends Her Choice To Show Them
Ariel Winter defended her decision to wear a revealing dress that showed her breast reduction surgery scars, saying on Twitter that she is “not ashamed” of them, the Los Angeles Times is reporting.
Winter, who just recently turned 18, turned up on the red carpet Saturday at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in a revealing Romona Keve?a black strapless gown that revealed scars from the actress’ recent breast-reduction surgery.
The next day, Ariel took to social media to defend her choice.
Guys there is a reason I didn’t make an effort to cover up my scars! They are part of me and I’m not ashamed of them at all. ?
— Ariel Winter (@arielwinter1) January 31, 2016
She also shared an inspirational quote from fashion designer Marc Jacobs.
Embrace all that you are ?? pic.twitter.com/rjF2kxXlvG
— Ariel Winter (@arielwinter1) February 2, 2016
Back in June 2015, the then-17-year-old Winter decided to go under the knife. The Modern Family star, who plays nerdy middle sister Alex Dunphy, explained to Glamour that she struggled with her breast size since the age of 15.
“It really did happen overnight. I remember being in my sister’s wedding and being so flat and thinking, ‘I just wish I would grow boobs!’ and then overnight I did. But then they kept growing and growing and growing and it didn’t seem like they were going to stop.”
In fact, her breasts grew so large that they were putting her in physical pain – in her shoulders and in her back and neck. She had difficulty standing up straight for hours at a time like her job demanded.
She couldn’t find age-appropriate roles outside of Modern Family (and her voice work on Sofia the First). She couldn’t find clothes that fit her. Modern Family producers had to try to hide her breast size from the cameras, including big sweaters and even strapping her down.
But perhaps worst of all was the thinly-disguised bullying in the press.
“Every article that has to do with me on a red carpet always had to do with ‘Ariel Winter’s Crazy Cleavage!’ Or ‘Ariel Winter Shows Huge Boobs At An Event!’ That’s all people would recognize me by.”
When Winter finally did go under the knife, she and her doctor agreed to keep her breasts somewhat larger than average, but not unmanageable.
“I have always been a curvier girl. Always. And I enjoy being a curvier girl. I don’t want to be disproportionate again. I have a big butt, I like having a big butt. I didn’t want to have a big butt and no boobs!”
Ariel Winter’s breast reduction surgery was the culmination of a years-long personal and legal battle over the teen actress’ control over her own life. As Us Magazine reported in May 2015, Winter, whose real name is Ariel Winter Workman, for years battled legally to have herself declared an emancipated adult.
In November 2012, Winter was removed from the custody of her mother, Chrisoula “Chrystal” Workman, amid allegations of physical and emotional abuse. Ariel’s older sister, Shanelle Gray, was given custody. Ariel’s mother denied the allegations, according to BBC News, saying that Ariel was just a “rebellious teenager who needs to be returned home.”
On May 15, 2015, Winter announced on Twitter that she had officially been emancipated.
Now that her legal issues are behind her and her health problems are under control, Ariel Winter is moving forward with her life and career with a new attitude.
Do you think it was OK for Ariel Winter to wear a dress that revealed her breast-reduction surgery scars? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]
