Ariel Winter Says Goodbye to L.A. and Hello to a Powerful New Mission

Ariel Winter is starting a new chapter far from the city she once called home.

The former Modern Family star, now 27, told People in a new interview that she left Los Angeles to reset her life after enduring years of public scrutiny, online bullying, and personal trauma. Winter, who shot to fame as Alex Dunphy on the hit sitcom, has been candid about the dark side of growing up in the spotlight, and she says the decision to leave L.A. was about reclaiming her peace.

“It holds some not-great memories for me,” she said.