Ariel Winter, Sarah Hyland, and Nolan Gould brought the Dunphy siblings to life with a mix of charm and humor on the hit sitcom Modern Family. However, the trio also shared a similar familial bond off-screen as their on-screen characters.
It was their deep connection that helped them support each other through their personal challenges and the pressure of growing up in the public eye. Gould, in particular, played a pivotal role in providing emotional support to his on-screen sisters, offering not just camaraderie but a sense of stability amidst the turmoil of celebrity life.
Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland’s struggles with fame while starring in Modern Family
Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland were among the Modern Family cast members, who constantly faced criticism, especially for their appearances. Both actresses have since opened up about experiencing an overwhelming level of scrutiny at a young age.
“It’s really difficult to grow up in front of millions of people who have an opinion on everything you do, and who are allowed to say it at any point,” said Ariel Winter, as per People.
She also opened up about dealing with trolls who constantly commented on her body while starring on Modern Family. “I got called a fat s*ut when I was 13,” she revealed on Red Table Talk: The Estefans. “That was rough. Because I gained weight and my body changed,” she continued.
While Winter, who also dealt with issues in relation to her real family, received backlash for the natural changes she experienced after puberty, Hyland faced a different struggle, one shaped by serious health complications that often led to fluctuations in her weight.
Sarah Hyland was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia as a child and has undergone two transplants. The actress has been open about her health challenges, which caused noticeable physical changes and led to accusations of promoting anorexia due to her weight loss.
“My circumstances have put me in a place where I’m not in control of what my body looks like,” she said on X (Twitter). Hyland also reflected on the criticism she received due to the effects of her medication. “I don’t mind when you say that I look pregnant. Or fat. Because I know that my face is swollen from my medication that is saving my life,” she said.
“And that, for me, was something that Ariel and I were, I think, going through around the same time,” Hyland said during a panel appearance at the 2020 Television Critics Association.
Both actresses have spoken about how they relied on each other for support during their struggles with body image and public scrutiny. However, in addition to their mutual support, they also had another source of strength in their co-star, Nolan Gould.
Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland found an unexpected emotional anchor in Nolan Gould
Starring in all 11 seasons of the show, Nolan Gould played the role of Luke Dunphy, the youngest Dunphy sibling to Haley and Alex. However, many fans may not realize that off-screen, Gould, who has an impressive IQ of 150, was not just a talented actor but also a quiet emotional rock for his on-screen sisters.
As they navigated personal struggles while starring on the show, both Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland developed a close bond with their co-star, mirroring their fictional family ties. Winter, who has remained especially close with her on-screen brother, has received unwavering support from Gould over the years.
“He is my brother. He was my first best friend,” she told E! News before adding, “We met when he was 10 and I was 11, and we’ve gone through so many stages of life together. And we have stuck through it all, thick and thin.”
The actress has also shared that Gould has been there for her during some of the hardest challenges she has faced. The 26-year-old actor also shared a strong bond with Sarah Hyland, who has previously praised his maturity during their time on the show.
“You’re officially a grown-up even though you’ve acted as one for the past 8 years,” Hyland said, as per People, sharing her best wishes to her co-star on his 21st birthday.
Gould, who has spoken about the challenges of growing up in the limelight, has also offered unwavering support to his on-screen sisters, especially Ariel Winter. He has frequently defended her against online trolls and public scrutiny.
Modern Family is available to watch on Hulu.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
