“Modern Family” star Ariel Winter has opened up about her decision to have breast reduction surgery.
In an interview with Glamour magazine, the 17-year-old actress (who plays Alex Dunphy on the hit TV show) discussed why she chose to have the procedure done and how it’s helped her confidence.
Like most teens, Winter’s body seemingly changed 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,” she said. “I was 15 years old with [size] F [breasts]. It’s like, ‘How do you navigate that?'”
Not only did her chest make it difficult to find clothes that fit properly, it also became the center of a whole lot of media attention. Outlets like E! ran with headlines such as, “Ariel Winter’s Cleavage Is Out of Control” and “Ariel Winter Rocks Crazy Cleavage Once Again,” choosing to focus on her body and not her work. But not all teens want their changing bodies to be trending topics on the Internet.
“We live in a day and age where everything you do is ridiculed,” Winter said. “The Internet bullies are awful. I could post a photo where I feel good, and 500 people will comment about how fat I am and that I am disgusting.”
She added, “That’s [her cleavage] pretty much all I was known for and that upset me. It made me feel really uncomfortable because as women in the industry, we are totally over sexualized and treated like objects.”
Aside from the emotional stress, Winter admits her chest was also the cause of physical pain. When it got so bad that she couldn’t take it, she started thinking about breast reduction surgery. Winter noted her family has a “history of large breasts” so it wasn’t too surprising when she brought up the idea.
“A few of my cousins have had breast reductions, so it wasn’t a shock when I decided to get one. I got it for myself. I can’t even really put it into words about how amazing it feels to really feel right.”
The teen star knows the physical change is likely what everyone will be focused on, but for her, it’s the emotional change that’s most important.
“This is how I was supposed to be.”
To read Ariel’s entire interview, head to Glamour.com.
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