Ariel Winter Explains Breast Reduction: Over-Sexualization, Back Problems & Bullying

Ariel Winter has undergone a breast reduction at the age of 17.

The “Modern Family” star opened up about what led to her decision to have surgery in an interview with Glamour.

While she appeared confident on red carpets, the 5’1″ actress said she was anything but comfortable in her own skin after developing size 32F breasts.

“We live in a day and age where everything you do is ridiculed. 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 told the mag. “On [red carpets], I just said to myself, ‘You have to do your best to look confident and stand up tall, and make yourself look as good as you can in these photos,’ because everyone is going to see them.

“I definitely seemed confident; I’m an actress, that’s what we do. But on the inside, I wasn’t feeling so happy,” she added.

Ariel found it difficult to find clothing that accommodated her bust size (especially bathing suits), and said there was little she could wear that was “age-appropriate.”

“I’d have to wear the dress that was super tight and form-fitted everywhere because if I didn’t, it didn’t look good. I didn’t really have an option other than to wear fitted clothes,” she explained. “Everyone would [say], ‘Why is she dressing so mature? That’s so inappropriate for her age!’ I understood what they were saying. It’s not like I wanted to pick out those inappropriate dresses, it’s just that I didn’t really have another choice, or I was going to get ridiculed.”

Her changing body was also “painful” and caused “a lot of back problems.” After discussions with her doctor, she decided on reducing her breasts to a size D.

The actress said her recovery was “quick” and she’s feeling great.

“The feeling of not having so much there was such a relief! Once the surgery was completed, I can’t even explain the feeling,” she told the mag. “[A week later], I was buying clothes and crying as I put them on, I was so happy. You just feel so relieved and excited. You feel like a new person. You feel like this is how I was supposed to be.”

Erin O’Sullivan

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