Ariel Winter Speaks Out About Past Legal Battle With Her Mom

Carly Ledbetter

March 2, 2016 at 12:02 AM

In a new interview with "Good Morning America," Ariel Winter opens about her tough childhood and former relationship with her estranged mother Chrisoula "Crystal" Workman.

Winters said that she was "pushed into the industry" at 4 years old, by a "stage mom" who wanted her to be a star.

"I did have a really, really hard childhood,” Winter said. "It wasn't normal. It wasn't what I should have had. It wasn't a supportive, loving home. I had a really tough time."

Winter was removed from her home in 2012 following abuse allegations against Workman. It was later confirmed by The Department of Children and Family Services that the actress was emotionally abused by her mother and guardianship was transferred over to Winter's sister, Shanelle Workman.

Ariel Winter arrives at the Vanity Fair pre-Oscar party held at Palihouse Holloway on February 26, 2016 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo: Michael Tran via Getty Images)

In 2015, the "Modern Family" actress was officially emancipated. Now close to both her father and sister, Winter says she hasn't spoken to her mom in over three years.

"It's really hard to have that kind of drama in your life and to be going through that court situation and have an open court case and have everybody look at it," Winter told "GMA." "It's already hard enough for abuse victims, but it's harder in the public eye when everybody has an opinion..."

Today, life is much better for Winter. She's openly spoke about getting a breast reduction, telling Time last month that she's "so much happier" since the surgery.

"It wasn’t because I didn’t like how I looked. Having so much weight on my frame was affecting me psychologically," the "Modern Family" actress said. " I was uncomfortable and unhappy. I chose surgery because of how I felt, not because of what anyone else thought."

Also on HuffPost