Hollywood a ‘dark place’ for ‘Modern Family’ star – she needed therapy after facing male predators from a young age

Former Modern Family star Ariel Winter has opened up about her experiences with male predators in Hollywood, starting from when she was just 4 years old. The 27-year-old actress, who played Alex Dunphy in the popular sitcom for 11 seasons, shared her story in a recent interview with DailyMail.com.

According to People, Winter explained that her early exposure to the entertainment industry led to uncomfortable situations both online and in person. As soon as she had access to a laptop and cell phone, she began receiving inappropriate messages from older men.

“The experiences I had in person and online as a child have affected me so deeply that I’ve had to go to therapy for it,” Winter revealed, describing the movie and TV industry as “a dark place.”

The actress now works with an organization to catch online predators

Winter has found a way to turn her painful experiences into meaningful action by joining SOSA (Safe From Online Sex Abuse), an organization dedicated to fighting online sexual predators. The group consists of women who pose as young decoys to catch Internet pedophiles in collaboration with local law enforcement.

In a May 2025 cover story with PEOPLE magazine, Winter discussed her involvement with SOSA, explaining that she was drawn to the organization because she identified with the children being targeted. With support from her boyfriend Luke Benward, she began volunteering and now participates in undercover operations. Her advocacy work comes at a time when many Hollywood parents are increasingly concerned about their children’s safety in the industry, with some stars expressing reservations about their own children following in their footsteps.

The work involves creating detailed personas and decoy rooms for sting operations, which Winter describes as “nerve-racking.” During these operations, she poses as a 12-year-old to help catch potential predators who are looking to abuse children.

While Winter finds the work fulfilling, she admits it can be triggering due to her past experiences. She explains that posing as a young child and receiving explicit messages about what predators want to do to a 12-year-old body is particularly challenging. Despite these difficulties, Winter remains committed to helping remove dangerous individuals from the streets and protecting potential victims.

Looking back at her journey in the entertainment industry, Winter acknowledges the numerous challenges she has faced but expresses gratitude for where she is now. Through her work with SOSA and her openness about her experiences, she continues to raise awareness about the dangers of online predators and the importance of protecting young people in the entertainment industry. Her advocacy addresses concerns that affect young performers who often face unique challenges when trying to establish themselves in Hollywood.