Ariel Winter's Sister Speaks Out About Damaged Relationship With Mom

Ariel Winter's older sister, Shanelle Workman-Gray, is speaking out about their mother, Chrystal [...]

By Hunter Miller

Ariel Winter's older sister, Shanelle Workman-Gray, is speaking out about their mother, Chrystal Workman. The Modern Family star's sibling says that she is "not surprised" in the slightest bit that their mother is throwing shade at Ariel in the media.

"It's just the expectation," Gray said while talking to Page Six. "My mother has always been dreaming of the spotlight, which is why she had two daughters … I think this is her way of keeping her name in the headlines."

She continued by saying that Winter "has no interest in our birth mother."

Even though Ariel's critics frequently make negative remarks about her racy fashion choices, and about how she is dating 29-year-old Levi Meaden, Shanelle says that her sister is handling the attention gracefully.

"Ariel is wonderful and doing amazing," Gray said. "I'm not concerned at all. She's one of the smartest people I know."

Gray says that Ariel is "amazingly grounded for what she's been through."

Shanelle Workman-Gray has two daughters of her own and says that Ariel is a person that they look up to for guidance.

"She is a classy, smart, beautiful woman inside and out and is a great, positive role model for women everywhere — especially to my daughters," Gray said.

Gray came to Ariel's defense only days after their mother slammed the 19-year-old actress for showing too much skin with her racy outfits.

Here's What Ariel's Mother Has Said About Her

Chrystal Workman, Ariel's mom, thinks her daughter is dressing inappropriately and that she doesn't need to be flaunting her body the way she does in her racy outfits.

"She needs to grow up," Workman said. "I would tell her to dress properly, be the beautiful person she is. I feel sad that she feels the need to expose herself when it's not necessary. Ariel is smart, beautiful and talented. She is a legitimate actress. She does not need to do this. She is beautiful with her clothes on."

Last year, Workman also criticized Ariel for undergoing breast reduction surgery. Winter went from a 32F to 34D and her mother did not approve of the operation.

"I don't think anyone at that age should be cutting into their breasts," she said while talking to Inside Edition. "I am surprised she did it so young and that the doctor did it for her so young."

She continued by saying: "I'm sorry, I just think this is inappropriate. She should never be embarrassed of her scars but she shouldn't be flaunting them."

Ariel sat down for an interview with Good Morning America last year and spoke about her damaged relationship with her mom. Workman said that Winter's comments about them having an abusive relationship are not entirely true.

"I didn't start this battle. I haven't seen her in three and a half years. I don't know why she is bringing this up. I think Ariel is conjuring up stories to help her career at my expense and I feel as a parent I am being bullied."

"I am not a yes person. I am Ariel's mother. I love her. And Ariel did not approve of my parenting," Workman said. "I have stood by my innocence. I have never, never abused Ariel."

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Ariel Lashes Out At Her Mother

After Ariel's mother criticized her for wearing skimpy outfits and showing off her body on social media, the actress took to Twitter to respond. While Winter didn't directly address her mother, it was clear who was meant to be the recipient of the message.

On Wednesday, Ariel tweeted: "What's sad is that you lie consistently. Also, why is it that you only choose to talk to me through the press? I'm doing just fine. ?Toxic."

Ariel Winter was emancipated from her mother in 2015. She then petitioned to have her sister become her legal guardian.

"It wasn't a supportive loving home. I had a really tough time," the actress said during her appearance on GMA.

As far as Ariel is concerned, her sister Shanelle raised her and was a better influence on her life. In fact, for Mother's Day this year, Ariel penned a heartfelt post about Shanelle instead of her biological mother.

Winter shared a pic of her with Shanelle along with the caption: "Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible mothers. I was lucky enough to have an unbelievable sister who raised me to be the woman I am today. I wouldn't be anywhere without her love and guidance. She's my rock and my best friend in the entire world. There's no one more loving, caring, smart, and beautiful inside and out as Shanelle Gray. She's the best mom, wife, sister, friend, and business woman in the world. Thank you for all you are. You are so appreciated and loved."

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Ariel Is Learning To Be In Control Of Her Own Happiness

While Chrystal Workman may think that Ariel shouldn't have gone under the knife for a breast reduction, the actress says that the change has made a drastic impact on her life.

"Because I'm honest about my insecurities, people think I'm 100 percent positive about my body all the time, but I'm not," she said. "I get really uncomfortable, too. But I just remind myself that this is the body I was given. This is who I am."

She continued by saying: "When I got the breast reduction it helped me feel so much better about my body. I used to have full-scale meltdowns in bathing suit shops because there was nothing I could find to wear. I always felt like crap about myself."

In addition to her mom's criticisms, Ariel has been subjected to a heavy dose of online hate. Some of her skin-filled posts have been received with a negative reaction from social media users, but Ariel has managed to tune out the mean comments.

"I went through a lot of hate online, so I tried to change myself for a really long time," she shared with the publication. "But people just kept hating on me no matter what I did. I decided that instead of pleasing these other people, I'll just spend that time pleasing myself. Those people are going to be rude to me regardless of what I do, so I should just try and be happy with what I am."

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