Ariel Winter, best known for her role as Alex Dunphy on the hit sitcom "Modern Family," recently opened up about her decision to leave Los Angeles. Her choice was rooted in her quest for healing after a tumultuous childhood and years of online bullying.

In a recent interview with People, Winter revealed that leaving Los Angeles wasn’t about stepping away from her acting career but rather escaping the negative memories associated with the city. "I just left the city of LA. It holds some not-great memories for me, and I’m young and never lived anywhere else, and thought, ‘Why not?’" she explained.

Winter, who began acting at just four years old, grew up in the public eye. Cast as Alex Dunphy at age 11, she quickly became a household name. Yet fame brought its challenges, particularly the harsh scrutiny from online trolls and media outlets. Reflecting on the relentless negativity, Winter shared, "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."

Winter’s childhood was marked by turmoil, including a public battle over custody. At 14, she was removed from her mother’s care by the Department of Child and Family Protective Services and placed with her older sister, Shanelle Gray, who became her legal guardian. "I went on to have a great rest of my teenage years thanks to being under her custody," Winter said, expressing deep gratitude for her sister’s unwavering support. She later became legally emancipated at 17, a process she discussed openly on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

After moving away from Los Angeles, Winter has embraced a more peaceful lifestyle, sharing her home with boyfriend Luke Benward and their six dogs. She hasn’t abandoned acting but has diversified her creative pursuits, working on producing projects, launching a podcast, and developing a cooking show.

Winter is also passionate about advocacy, particularly through her work with SOSA (Safe From Online Sex Abuse). Speaking about her involvement, she remarked, "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."

Though she acknowledges the challenges of her past, Winter remains focused on using her experiences to make a difference. "Technically, yes, I’m a survivor. I’ve gone through some s---," she said, "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."

Winter’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and finding purpose after pain. By leaving behind the negative aspects of her past and dedicating herself to advocacy, she hopes to inspire others to find healing and use their voices for good.