Ariel Winter's Shocking New Life After 'Modern Family'

Over the course of a decade, Ariel Winter, known for her character Alex Dunphy in Modern Family, has recently focused on the most significant role she’s ever had – that of growing up and embracing real life.

The actress and activist shared with TopMob News in October during her Legacy Youth Leadership Award ceremony at the 4th Annual Legacy Ball that she has only recently realized what her life’s purpose is. As a child, she aspired to become a doctor before switching gears towards law. Now, she finds herself in the entertainment industry and sees it as an opportunity to assist people, which aligns with her longstanding desire to help others.

Although Los Angeles marked the beginning of her entertainment journey, having booked her first commercial at 4 and making her movie debut at 7 as a Virginia native, it never truly resonated with her vibe.

As a die-hard fan, I must confess that even being the star of a popular sitcom had its challenges. My fame made my personal family matters, such as emancipating myself at 17, an open book to the world. And just as Julie Bowen, my on-screen mom on Modern Family, revealed on her podcast Quitters in 2022, I despised the intrusion of paparazzi into my personal space.

Winter clarified, “I dislike photos taken of me without my consent. It makes me uncomfortable because I prefer to lead a simple, ordinary life.

But it wasn’t until after Modern Family ended in 2020 that she realized her platform was mobile.

It wasn’t something Winter arrived at quickly; instead, she confided in TopMob in October that she had long admired individuals who ventured off to college, needing to establish new connections, embark on a fresh life, and adapt to a new environment. However, Winter never thought she possessed the courage to take such a step herself.

She expressed her desire to depart from L.A., stating, “However, I was anxious. Then, an opportunity emerged, and I thought, You know what? I’m in a phase of transformation, and I’m truly focusing on healing, growing, and evolving. Perhaps this is it. Maybe this is what I need to push myself forward.

In the year 2022, she decided to part ways with her home, embarking on an adventure with her partner Luke Benward and a caravan of canines in an Escalade. (Recent holiday snaps reveal a lively household of eight: two humans and six adorable pets.)

On January 28, Winter celebrated her 27th birthday, marking a significant distance from where she initially began – both geographically and symbolically.

She expressed that the move has brought about a fantastic transformation, enabling her to dive headfirst into numerous experiences she wouldn’t have dared to explore previously. In essence, it has significantly broadened her horizons.

She hadn’t been particularly closed-off previously, but rather, as she explained, it was more about adopting a new perspective and embarking on a fresh journey.

Benward, a friend of hers for quite some time who is now her boyfriend of five years and more, has always stood by her side at each step along the way.

If you possess a strong foundation, it gives you the ability to endure numerous challenges, Winter explained to TopMob, emphasizing the crucial role their deep friendship plays in their relationship. However, she clarified, this doesn’t imply they’ve faced many storms; instead, she was pointing out that life often presents us with a multitude of trials, and no story is perfect or everlastingly happy.

And, she continued, “It’s respect, it’s work. You can’t just love somebody.”

Simultaneously, Winter remarked, “I truly adore him. Regardless of what lies ahead for us, it is ours to decide. We have our furry children and we cherish our life here. It’s been wonderful.” (For those online critics who voiced worry last year about a hint of patriarchy in her household due to her calling Benward names like “grill daddy,” she retorted on TikTok, “He is an exceptional man, and if he wasn’t, the dogs would show him the door.”)

While Winter, who won four SAG Awards as part of the Modern Family cast for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series, certainly appreciated the change of scenery, it didn’t imply she was giving up acting entirely. However, there were concerns that moving could potentially impact her career trajectory.

She remembered it as, “It seemed like, ‘Ah, you’ve finished then,'” implying, “You won’t be working anymore in your field, which is fantastic, so you’ve essentially retired from the entertainment world.

But, Winter said, “It hasn’t ruined anything for my work.”

Ever since the pandemic, she pointed out that “everything is virtual now.” She finds this liberating as she can do activities from any location. It’s been a wonderful experience for her to explore new opportunities and engage in various activities wherever she chooses to be.

She’s not only lending her voice but also producing a new Disney Jr. series, titled “Sofia the First: Royal Magic“, which has been a joy for her eight nieces. Additionally, she utilizes her large kitchen to film enticing cooking demonstrations that she shares on social media.

Apart from being recognized for her activism at the Legacy Ball by Benward and other cast members of Modern Family, particularly Nolan Gould, she has also been busy working on the upcoming documentary series titled SOSA Undercover. This series focuses on the endeavors of the nonprofit organization SOSA in combating online child sex abuse and trafficking.

Winter expressed on Instagram on January 13th how incredibly proud they are of their team and being involved in something so meaningful. They found it more challenging than expected due to the emotional triggers linked to their childhood, but knowing that what they’re doing might shield even one child from similar trauma, brings a sense of healing to their inner self. Overall, Winter is deeply grateful for this opportunity.

She shared with TopMob that “2025 will be my breakthrough year, where I truly step out of my comfort zone and exude confidence. I’m all set and raring to go. It’s about empowering women. I’m excited to connect and thrive. Let’s make this happen, it’s high time!

Additionally, Winter isn’t alone in flourishing during her time away from Hollywood. Here are more stars who are prospering in different environments:

Not just Winter, but many other stars are experiencing success outside of Hollywood. Check out these stars thriving in various settings:

As a devoted admirer, I found myself following the conclusion of Ellen DeGeneres’ self-titled talk show in 2022 after a remarkable 19-season span. The decision came amidst accusations of a challenging work environment that ignited an internal probe, resulted in the dismissal of several executives, and sparked widespread disapproval from the public.

In a comeback, the star of “Finding Dory” made headlines once more with her last stand-up comedy special titled “For Your Approval”, released on Netflix in September 2024. Prior to this release, she disclosed her decision to bid farewell to Hollywood altogether.

During my “Ellen’s Final Stand…Up” tour, I shared with the audience that this would be the last time they’d see me in such a setting. Following my upcoming Netflix special, I plan to step away from performing live shows. (SFGate)

Ellen and her spouse, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly relocated to England following the speculated victory of Donald Trump in the 2024 elections, as mentioned by various news sources.

Following stints in shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the 2000 film “Bring It On”, Eliza announced in September 2024 that she had qualified as a practitioner in psychedelic-assisted therapy, and is now deepening her knowledge in mental health care.

She shared with Boston Magazine, “I had the opportunity to alter my path and concentrate on healing myself first, in order to aid others later on.” She continued, “It would be unfair not to disclose now the transformation, the serenity, and the enthusiasm I feel. This is undeniably my true vocation, my genuine purpose.

The actress who plays a role in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” has revealed her intention to temporarily step away from acting following two decades of work within the film industry.

In her Instagram post from June 2024, Evangeline expressed her overflowing happiness and contentment. She’s deeply grateful for her blessings and finds joy in living according to her vision. Though giving up wealth and fame might seem daunting at times, embracing her life’s purpose (dharma) replaces fear with a sense of accomplishment.

She may not be definitively closing the door, as she also mentioned, “There’s a chance I could go back to Hollywood someday, yet, at present, this is where I feel at home.

Since the conclusion of Netflix’s 2019 series “V-Wars,” an actor from “The Vampire Diaries” hasn’t taken on a new character. Instead, this father of two (alongside wife Nikki Reed) has immersed himself in a personal endeavor, focusing primarily on his commitment to mitigate climate change through enhancing global soil health.

I took a break from acting around four years back to focus on my family and my businesses, and to bring these movies out,” Somerhalder shared with TopMob News in November 2023, discussing the release of the 2020 documentary ‘Kiss the Ground’ and its sequel ‘Common Ground’. Both films underscore the importance of regenerative farming.

Looking ahead, he mentioned, “I see myself as a rancher and developing enduring brand names, be it my bourbon or my health and wellness company. The sustainable farming practices and soil management that I follow and my family adheres to will also be part of this journey – regenerative agriculture and healthy soils. That’s the path my life is taking. So when people ask me ‘What makes you passionate?’ That’s why I’m passionate. Because it defines who I am, where I am headed.

In a 2021 episode of her “Empty Inside” podcast, the former iCarly star shared with guest Anna Faris that she made the choice to step away from acting a couple of years ago, and is now pursuing ventures in scriptwriting and film direction, as well as hosting her podcast.

Jennette shared her feelings about acting, admitting that she feels ashamed of some roles she took on earlier in her career. In her memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” published in 2022, she goes into detail about her experiences. She expressed resentment towards her career and felt unfulfilled by the characters she portrayed, finding them cheesy and embarrassing. From the age of 13 to 21, she was involved in various shows, but even at 15, she already felt embarrassed. Her peers at that age didn’t share the same enthusiasm for her Nickelodeon work; instead, it was something they found awkward.

Although she hasn’t completely ruled out a return to acting, her recent experiences with writing have made her consider the possibility of revisiting it in a new light, without the burden that she carried for so long. She suggested that if she were to write something specifically for herself, it might be one of the few ways she could cautiously dip back into acting again.

This seemed almost self-evident. If we had the chance to wed Prince Harry, devote ourselves to charitable endeavors that resonate deeply with us, and acquire entry to the Queen’s stunning array of tiaras, saying goodbye to Hollywood might not be such a hard decision.

In the footsteps of Grace Kelly, who transitioned from Hollywood to Monaco’s Palace, I too embarked on a journey, leaving behind my Toronto home and my breakout role in Suits for a life within The Firm. However, now that Harry and I have relinquished our senior roles, I am gradually re-entering the professional world, thanks to strategic business decisions such as our multi-year production deal with Netflix.

Since her acting debut in “The Mask” back in 1994, she has starred in more than forty films. By the time production ended on “Annie” in 2014, it had been a while since she took a well-deserved rest from filming.

She shared with her friend Gwyneth Paltrow that she had recently made a change in her life, pursuing different goals instead. For years, she had been pushing herself hard, working tirelessly on projects and films. It’s an exhausting lifestyle, she said, as making a movie often means giving all of yourself – they demand your time for extended periods, leaving little room for anything else.

Apart from delving deeper into wellness and writing, she had other interests, such as her successful books like “The Body Book” in 2013 and “The Longevity Book” in 2016. She was also involved in family life with husband Benji Madden. Although she stated in 2019 that she no longer missed performing, expressing a focus on wellness instead, it seems there might be an exception for one more performance.

Jamie Foxx expressed to TopMob News his fervent plea to persuade Cameron Diaz for the upcoming Netflix movie, “Back in Action”. He shared, “We were almost begging on our knees, saying something like, ‘Could you do it one more time?’ We adore her, we’ve been eagerly waiting and this collaboration is going to be extraordinary.

The actor firmly declared that there would be no additional performance following his five-year stint on Empire, as reported by Extra when they questioned him about his future during the musical drama series’ last season in 2019. When asked about his plans, he simply said, “I’ve had enough of acting. I’m finished with pretending.

Despite coming back for a few roles, he announced his intentions to retire from acting once more during the promotion of his Peacock series “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” in 2022. In conversation with ET, he expressed that he has already given his best as an actor and now prefers to observe the emergence of fresh talent, rather than imitate himself.

Although those remarks were made, it’s worth noting that Howard has reappeared in several productions since then. These include the TV series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and the Netflix movie “Shirley”, with more projects on the horizon for him in the future.

After King Joffrey’s abrupt, purple-hued demise in 2014, the young actor, then aged 21, expressed his exit from the acting world to EW. He stated that he had been acting since the age of 8 and simply wasn’t enjoying it as much as before.

Originally known as a child actor, the charm of performing had started to fade due to the possibility of turning it into a full-time career. Before this, acting was simply something I did for fun with my friends or during summer breaks, but now there’s a chance to make it a profession. While I enjoyed it, transforming it into a job alters its appeal. It’s not that I dislike it, it’s just not the path I choose for myself.

However, following a hiatus of six years, he felt prepared to reclaim his position and joined the cast of BBC’s show “Out of Her Mind” in the year 2020.

In September 2020, when Jennifer Aniston played her role in a virtual table read for “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, she married fellow actor Kevin Kline in 1989. They decided to work on their careers in turns so that they would never be working simultaneously, ensuring proper care for their son Owen and daughter Greta (now known as Frankie Cosmos when performing).

In other words, whenever it’s been Phoebe’s turn to work, she has opted to stay with the children. While she briefly appeared in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 indie film “The Anniversary Party,” Cates primarily focuses on running her New York City boutique, Blue Tree.

In the midst of my prominence with “Ghostbusters” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” the ’80s heartthrob chose to take a break from filmmaking not too long after the tragic loss of my wife to breast cancer in 1991. Instead, I devoted myself to nurturing our children Rachel and Mitchell during those challenging times.

Despite not taking on any live-action roles since 1997, including turning down a cameo in Paul Feig’s 2016 Ghostbusters remake, he continues to be a highly respected cultural figure, as shown by the public uproar over news of his alleged assault while walking in New York City on October 1.

Fortunately, fans can look forward to some exciting news: he’ll be back, joined by Josh Gad, in the upcoming Disney remake of “Shrunk”.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, the prominent actress from “Never Been Kissed” suggested that she might have stepped away from the movie industry. In an interview with Vogue, she explained her reservations about acting roles that often require intimate scenes with others, stating, “I don’t wish to engage in such sexual activities, as it is a peculiar flame to play with. Our relationship is robust enough to endure it, but if one is going to walk through fire, there must be something extraordinary on the other side.

Her resolve became firm when her son Martin joined her older daughter Louisanna in 2014. In 2016, she expressed to Us Weekly at an event that she is no longer involved in the movie industry and considers herself more of a bystander. She added, “I am just a mom and an outsider,” focusing mainly on her children, which is why she stopped pursuing acting roles.

She had watched “Ally McBeal”, followed by “Nip/Tuck”. After that, she moved on to “Arrested Development” before ultimately concluding that she might be prepared for a change, as evidenced by her decision to switch things up with “Scandal”.

In her appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show back in 2018, she expressed that she was nearing 45 and began questioning if there was something new and challenging she could undertake. She had a sense of what her acting career would look like for the next decade or two, so she decided to step away from it all and start a business instead.

She had only one more item left to complete for her ongoing consumer-oriented art company, General Public.

I reached out to Mitch Hurwitz, the mastermind behind “Arrested Development,” and expressed that if there is another season, I won’t participate due to my decision to quit acting. He seemed very empathetic, and we had an enjoyable chat about it. Later on, he included me in five episodes by writing me into them.

After bagging three Academy Awards, one might wonder what significant milestones are left to achieve. Following his sixth Oscar nomination for his last film, “Phantom Thread” in 2017, the actor announced that he would no longer be pursuing acting roles. He expressed deep gratitude towards his collaborators and fans over the years. This decision is personal, and neither he nor his representatives will provide additional comments on this matter.

As I was basking in the afterglow of my latest accolade, thinking perhaps it was time to retire and enjoy the laurels, fate, or rather, my son Ronan Day-Lewis, had other plans. In October 2024, Focus Features made an exciting announcement: I would not only be starring in our collaborative project, “Anemone,” but also writing the script alongside my talented offspring, who will also helm the production as director. The stage is set for a unique and unforgettable cinematic journey!

In 2018, the actress who starred on “Good Luck Charlie” decided to step away from the limelight and instead focused on her education. She completed a master’s degree from MIT and later, a PhD from the same institution. Currently, she is also working towards a law degree at Harvard Law School.

Furthermore, not only did Bridgit achieve this, but she also established her own business, Northwood Space, in late 2022. This innovative venture aims to construct ground-based satellite stations for efficient data transmission between Earth and space. She assumed the role of CEO for the company on February 1, 2023.

—Reporting by Sasha Wayman

2025-01-28 16:23

Ariel Winter’s Shocking New Life After ‘Modern Family’

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