• Ariel Winter left Los Angeles to heal from a traumatic childhood and the intense online scrutiny she experienced as a child star.
• Winter is now involved with SOSA (Safe From Online Sex Abuse) and other projects to combat online sexual predators, drawing from her own experiences.
• She is pursuing new ventures like producing, podcasting, and developing a cooking show while maintaining her acting career and living a quieter life outside of Hollywood.

Ariel Winter, best known for her role as Alex Dunphy on the hit sitcom 'Modern Family,' has revealed her decision to leave Los Angeles following the show's conclusion in 2020. Winter cites a desire to heal from a traumatic childhood, including public scrutiny and online bullying, as primary motivations. She now resides outside of Nashville with her boyfriend, Luke Benward, and is actively involved in new projects and philanthropic endeavors, particularly fighting against online sexual predators. Winter's story highlights the challenges faced by child actors and her journey toward healing and finding purpose.

• What: Ariel Winter left Los Angeles to heal from a traumatic childhood, marked by online scrutiny and family issues, and is now focusing on new projects and combating online sexual abuse.
• Who: Ariel Winter, Luke Benward, Chrisoula Workman, Shanelle Gray, SOSA (Safe From Online Sex Abuse).
• When: Winter left Los Angeles after 'Modern Family' wrapped in April 2020. She was removed from her mother's custody at 14 and emancipated at 17.
• Where: Winter moved out of Los Angeles and now lives just outside of Nashville. Her childhood trauma occurred primarily in Los Angeles.

Ariel Winter's decision to leave Los Angeles represents a significant step in her journey to heal from a difficult childhood and the pressures of being a child star. Her openness about online bullying and family struggles sheds light on the challenges faced by young actors growing up in the public eye. Winter's active involvement in combating online sexual abuse and her pursuit of new creative ventures demonstrate her resilience and determination to use her platform for positive change. The move away from Hollywood seems to be a deliberate attempt to create a more stable and fulfilling life, allowing her to focus on personal growth and meaningful contributions.

It was just everywhere. It was every headline I read about myself, like, grown people writing articles about me saying how I looked terrible or pregnant or like a fat slut. I mean, I was 14. It totally damaged my self-esteem.

I understood what it was like to be hated. No matter what I was going through, I was a target. It made it very difficult to look at myself in the mirror and go, ‘I love this version of me.'

I didn’t leave the industry. I just left the city of L.A. It holds some not-great memories for me.

Technically, yes, I’m a survivor. I’ve gone through some s---. But a lot of people have gone through some s---. Calling me a survivor takes away from what I’m here for, which is to help others and shine a spotlight on those that need it. More than anything, I want my story to be that she uses her platform for good. My journey to figuring things out and healing is now through helping other people. That’s all I care about.

Ariel Winter's departure from Los Angeles signifies a pivotal chapter, prioritizing healing from a traumatic childhood marked by family strife and relentless online bullying, and embracing personal evolution. Her dedication to SOSA (Safe From Online Sex Abuse), where she participates in nerve-racking sting operations to protect children from online predators, underscores her commitment to leveraging her platform for good and combating the very abuses she herself experienced. While Winter remains engaged in acting and producing, including developing a podcast and cooking show, her focus on a quieter life outside the spotlight suggests a pursuit of lasting stability and genuine fulfillment, demonstrating a shift from surviving to thriving. Winter's journey serves as an inspiration, illustrating the possibility of overcoming the challenges of child stardom, confronting personal demons, and finding purpose through advocacy and a commitment to helping others.