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'Stars On Mars' star Ariel Winter legally emancipated from parents at 17 after being 'physically and mentally' abused by mom

Ariel Winter's lawyer claimed that her mother Crystal denied the young actress food while 'Modern Family' was being filmed and physically and mentally abused her

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hit TV series 'Modern Family', which ran from 2009 to 2020, gave actor Ariel Winter her breakthrough role as Alex Dunphy. Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen played her parents in the ABC comedy. Ariel praised her time with her former castmates and described the show as an "amazing experience". Ariel has a good relationship with her television family, but she doesn't get along well with her real mother. Glenn Workman and Chrisoula Crystal Workman are Ariel's real parents. She also has two siblings -- Shanelle Gray and Jimmy Workman.

On Fox's reality show 'Stars On Mars', which aired on Monday, June 19, 2023, Ariel revealed that she didn't choose to pursue a career in acting. The 25-year-old actress talked candidly about her decision to pursue acting and her early experiences. She also opened up about being legally guarded by her older sister Shanelle Gray, which led to her emancipation from her parents at the age of 17, according to Daily Mail. 

When Ronda Rousey, 36, asked if it was she who decided to pursue acting, Ariel said, "I was four." "You don't really decide anything at four," the actress added. She further continued, "My experience was rotten." When Ronda further inquired whether the experience was "inevitable", Ariel said, "No, no. Well, it depends on the parent. It depends on your parent."

Who are Ariel Winter's parents?

Chrisoula Crystal Workman

Glenn Workman and Crystal Workman are Ariel Winter's parents. The actress and her mother haven't communicated since 2012. Since the early 2010s, Ariel and her mother have not had a very good connection. After a protracted guardianship dispute with her mother, Ariel was declared an emancipated minor in 2015. Crystal has 93 followers on Instagram, where she can be found under the handle @crystalworkman2019. She has shared photos of her family with her Instagram followers, but she mainly posts pictures of her friends and their events.

The Hollywood Reporter claims that Glenn and Crystal are now divorced. Before 2017, they ended their relationship and have been leading separate lives ever since. As of 2023, Crystal has kept her love life private because she avoids social media because of harsh remarks and attacks.

Glenn Workman

Glenn Workman is the real father of the 'Modern Family' actress. Glenn helped his daughter in securing her emancipation. In 2015, Ariel tweeted to thank him for his support. According to Jimmy Workman, his eldest son, Glenn owns and manages a communications company. Glenn reportedly participated in Ariel and her mother's 2014 custody dispute, per TMZ reports.

Glenn first petitioned for custody of the actress, demonstrating his physical, mental, and emotional health, but eventually decided to side with his youngest daughter and award custody to his elder daughter Shanelle.

The father-daughter relationship seems to be quite delightful. Ariel posted a sweet photo of her and Glenn to her Instagram followers. Ariel was escorted by her father to her senior prom in 2015, where she wore a stunning blue lace gown, as per Daily Mail. Ariel and her father Glenn were spotted together on March 22, 2018, as they watched the world premiere of 'The Last Movie Star' at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, California.

Ariel Winter emancipated from her parents at age of 17

After a protracted guardianship dispute with her parents, especially her mother, Ariel was declared an emancipated minor in 2015. According to court records acquired by People, Crystal was "a terror" on the 'Modern Family' set, endangering Ariel's status on the popular show. Ariel's lawyer also claimed that Crystal denied the young actress food while the show was being filmed and physically and mentally abused her.

Speaking to Hollywood Reporter, Ariel claimed that Crystal forced her to wear the shortest dress available and put her on a strict diet in order to keep her sleek and slender. In an interview with Inside Edition, Crystal vehemently refuted all of Ariel's allegations. Additionally, Crystal offers visual proof that, in contrast to the actress's assertions, she clothed Ariel appropriately when she was a child.

The actress's mother once exclaimed that it broke her heart to have her daughter accuse her of such things. Ariel and her mother no longer communicate because her mother forced Ariel into the entertainment industry at the young age of four rather than allowing her to decide whether she wants to pursue an acting career.

Ariel previously admitted on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show', "Not to say that this isn't my passion and I don't love it. I do love it, and I would love to continue doing it for the rest of my life. But I also want to explore other avenues. I've wanted to go to college since I was very young. I've worked very hard."

Shanelle Gray became Ariel's legal guardian

Ariel's family conflict came to light in 2012 when Ariel's older sister Shanelle accused their mother Crystal of abusing Ariel mentally and physically. Ariel was just 14 years old at the time, and Shanelle, who is 20 years older than her, requested and was granted guardianship of her younger sister. Ariel attempted to mend her ties with her father while residing with her sister until she became 18 years old. But there is still a rift between Ariel and her mother.