'People thought I was 24 when I was 12': Ariel Winter claims her mother sexualized her as a pre-teen as she makes explosive claims about 'really rough' childhood

By Tracy Wright For Dailymail.com

Published: 16:33 EST, 14 September 2017 | Updated: 02:55 EST, 15 September 2017

She officially became emancipated from her mother two years ago in 2015 after claiming she had been physically and emotionally abused.

And Ariel Winter has now made more explosive claims about her 'really rough' upbringing, suggesting her estranged parent Crystal Workman sexualized her to the extent that she would have made her pose nude age 12 if the opportunity arose.

Speaking in an in interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress, 19 - who shot to fame as a child on ABC hit comedy Modern Family - claimed her mother would force her to wear inappropriate outfits and even restricted her diet.  

'It was really rough': Ariel's outing came after she claimed she was sexualized by her estranged mother Chrystal Workman (pictured in 2012) when she was just seven years old 

'It was really rough': Ariel Winter has claimed she was sexualized by her estranged mother Chrystal Workman (pictured in 2012) when she was just seven years old 

Ariel said her mother sexualized her starting at the age of seven and would dress her 'in the smallest miniskirts, sailor suits, low-cut things, the shortest dresses you've ever seen.'

'People thought I was 24 when I was 12. If there was going to be a nude scene when I was that age, my mother would have a thousand percent said yes,' she added.

Sleep-deprived nights became the norm for the actress when she was forced to stay out at industry events with her mother when she was only 12 years old.

'You don’t get to mess up when you have somebody around you who is constantly watching,' Ariel said. 

Not a happy family: The actress claimed her mother would force her to wear inappropriate outfits and even restricted her diet (pictured front in 2005 in Beverly Hills)

Not a happy family: The actress, 19, claimed her mother would force her to wear inappropriate outfits and even restricted her diet (pictured front in 2005 in Beverly Hills)

The actress also said that food was "very, very restricted" and her education was neglected for years. 

Ariel became close with Modern Family's on-set studio teacher Sharon Sacks and, while she was afraid of the consequences of speaking out against her mother, she reached out to the mentor for help.

'She was very scared,' Sacks said. 'Her mother kept her out late at night at these ridiculous parties. She was 12 and 13 years old and had to be on set at 6:30, 7.

'I would order a couple lunches in my name so Ariel could eat one of them. I could tell she was hungry.' 

Sister sister: Ariel was taken into the care of her sister Shanelle Workman in a court-ordered guardianship in May 2014, before declaring that she was officially emancipated in May 2015

Sister sister: Ariel was taken into the care of her sister Shanelle Workman in a court-ordered guardianship in May 2014, before declaring that she was officially emancipated in May 2015

Sacks reported the situation to the Los Angeles Child Protective Services which culminated in Ariel's older sister Shanelle receiving custody in 2014, before Winter became emancipated nearly one year later.

'I went through a really rough period, a really bad chapter,' Winter said and admitted she hasn’t spoken to her estranged mother in five years. 

In addition to her family trauma, Ariel was changing from a girl into a woman — no easy task especially in the spotlight.

'The first season I was very thin, no breasts, no hips,' Winter remembers. 'The next year, I had huge boobs and a butt.' 

Her appearance became the talk of online trolls and Ariel realized that the only way to combat the hate was to stand up to it. 

Success story: Ariel sought the help of a studio teacher on Modern Family, despite the consequences of speaking out against her mother (pictured in Hollywood on Wednesday)

Success story: Ariel sought the help of a studio teacher on Modern Family, despite the consequences of speaking out against her mother (pictured in Hollywood on Wednesday)

'If you want to wear a short skirt and show your body like I do, it doesn’t mean you’re a whore. And it doesn’t mean you’re not one,' she said. 

Ariel is currently dating Levi Meaden, 30, whom she says is 'her partner in crime'.

This is not the first time Ariel has made claims about her upbringing; she first alleged her mother had been physically and emotionally abusive in October 2012, with her sister Shanelle Workman filming to be named her legal guardian. 

Ariel was taken into the care of her sibling in a court-ordered guardianship in May 2014, before declaring that she was officially emancipated via her Twitter page in May 2015.

'She needs to grow up': Ariel's estranged mother recently lashed out at her racy outfit choices in a damning interview (pictured in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night) 

'She needs to grow up': Ariel's estranged mother recently lashed out at her racy outfit choices in a damning interview (pictured in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night) 

She said: 'I’m really lucky I have an amazing support system and lovely people in my life who have given me the support and guidance to have been given this wonderful opportunity.' 

Ariel's mother has always denied the abuse claims. 

Workman recently lashed out at her estranged daughter's choice of outfits in an interview with US Weekly magazine.

Speaking in June, she said: 'She needs to grow up. 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.' 

Happier than ever: Ariel is currently dating Levi Meaden, 30, whom she says is 'her partner in crime'

Happier than ever: Ariel is currently dating Levi Meaden, 30, whom she says is 'her partner in crime'

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