Ariel Winter, best known for playing Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, faced a tough moment during her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Known for her candidness, Winter was asked about her strained relationship with her mother, Chrisoula Workman, and handled the sensitive subject with remarkable composure.
Winter became a household name through her role on Modern Family, a hit ABC sitcom that ran for 11 seasons. She appeared in 233 out of the 250 episodes, making Alex Dunphy a character beloved by many. After the show ended in April 2020, Winter chose to step away from the limelight, deciding to focus on her personal life rather than taking on major Hollywood projects.
During her interview with Ellen, Winter was asked about her decision to become emancipated from her mother, a process that began when she was just 14. Ellen, addressing the audience, asked, “So, you are emancipated from your mother. Explain to people who don’t know what that is… What does that mean?” Winter calmly explained that the legal process began when she was a teenager, and by the time she was 17, her older sister, Shanelle Workman, had been granted full custody. Winter made sure to emphasize how pivotal her sister was in her life, calling her “the best part of my life” and “my best friend.” She shared how her sister had supported her through everything, and confirmed that neither she nor Shanelle were in contact with their mother.
Ellen, continuing the conversation, asked Winter about her experiences growing up in Hollywood. Winter was open about the struggles she faced, admitting that acting wasn’t something she chose initially. She reflected on the difficulty of balancing a career in show business with the weight of growing up without a stable mother figure. She acknowledged that being in the industry was hard enough, but that missing a mother’s presence during those formative years added an even greater challenge.
The interview sparked mixed reactions online. Some viewers speculated that the interview was scripted and that Winter had been prepared for such personal questions. Others felt that Ellen had overstepped by probing into such intimate aspects of Winter’s life. Despite the mixed opinions, Winter’s poise and honesty during the conversation were widely acknowledged.