Ariel Winter is reflecting on the years she spent growing up on Modern Family and the lasting impact the hit sitcom had on her life and career. Winter, who began playing Alex Dunphy at age 11, says she did not fully realize at the time that the show would become such a major success. Looking back, she describes the experience as unforgettable and says she loved working with the cast, especially Ed O’Neill, who played her on-screen grandfather, Jay.
When Modern Family ended in 2020 after 11 seasons, Winter says leaving the show was bittersweet. She describes the cast as a real family and says she still misses the bond they shared on set. Even so, she feels ready for the next stage of her life and career, including new adult roles and work behind the scenes in production.
Winter says she remains especially close to Nolan Gould, who played her brother Luke Dunphy. Their friendship has continued well beyond the show’s finale, and she says they are still best friends. The relationship reflects the natural chemistry that helped make the Dunphy family such a central part of the series.
Now, Winter is focused on new creative projects and advocacy work. She is returning to voice acting by reprising her role as Sofia in Sofia the First, a character she says reconnects her with the early part of her career in animation. She is also developing a cooking show, adding another dimension to her work as she expands beyond acting.
At the same time, Winter is using her platform for a cause that is deeply personal to her. She has become an advocate against online predators and child sexual exploitation, working with an organization called SOSA, or Safe From Online Sex Abuse. The group focuses on exposing predators who target children online and helping coordinate justice efforts with law enforcement.
Winter says the issue hits close to home because she experienced online predation and harassment herself. Her decision to get involved stems from both personal experience and a desire to help protect other children from similar abuse. She says her healing journey has become connected to helping others, and she sees that work as meaningful and necessary.
Her advocacy marks a significant new chapter for the actress, who spent much of her childhood and adolescence in the public eye. While she continues to pursue entertainment opportunities, Winter is increasingly shaping her identity around projects that reflect her interests, values, and experiences. Whether through acting, animation, production, or activism, she is building a career that extends beyond her most famous role and speaks to her growth as an adult.
