Ariel Winter: Better to be on my own than deal with my mother

THE Modern Family star has opened up about becoming emancipated from her mum who was emotionally abusing the young star.

Ariel Winter on disowning her mum

ARIEL Winter is grateful each and every day for older sister Shanelle Gray.

“She’s been the best part of my life. She really is my best friend. She’s the most important thing to me,” the 18-year-old actress shared on Ellen.

“She’s been there for me through absolutely everything. And I just love her so much. I count on her more than anything.”

Gray, 37, had been Winter’s legal guardian since 2012, when the courts discovered that mum Chrisoula Workman had been emotionally abusing her.

Though Winter became emancipated in May 2015 at the age of 17, the Modern Family starlet also shared that it’s been an adjustment without her mother present.

“Well, it’s most definitely hard to grow up in the industry, but just grow up in any instance without a mother from a very young age,” she said.

“And it has been very sad for me, but at the same time it’s been much better for me emotionally and physically to be on my own and have a better, safe household and support system.”

After she became legally emancipated last spring, Winter took to Twitter to thank her loved ones and fans for their ongoing support.

“I’m really lucky I have an amazing support system and lovely people in my life who have given me the support and guidance to have been given this wonderful opportunity,” Winter wrote.

“I really couldn’t have done it without them,” she added.

“Thank you to all of my family, friends, and fans who have supported me through all of my endeavours in life, and have encouraged me. Thank you for making my life so special! I can’t wait to embark on my new adventures.”

Ariel Winter attends the 2015 Entertainment Weekly Pre-Emmy Party in September 2015.

This article was originally published on The New York Post

Originally published as Ariel Winter: Better to be on my own than deal with my mother