Ariel Winter Reflects on Leaving Los Angeles After Child Stardom
After leaving Los Angeles to escape childhood trauma from online bullying, Ariel Winter continues her acting career, developing new projects, and advocating for children's safety through the SOSA organization.
Ariel Winter's departure from Los Angeles in 2020 marked an important shift in her life, as she sought to leave behind painful memories linked to significant online harassment during her youth. Now, while pursuing new acting endeavors, including a podcast and a cooking show, she is channeling her experiences into advocacy through the SOSA organization, striving to protect children from online dangers and heal from her own past traumas.
Winter's struggle with bullying began in her childhood, leading to a significant impact on her self-esteem. As a notable child actress, she faced relentless scrutiny online, which contributed to her decision to step away from the public eye in Los Angeles. 'The trauma ran deep,' she noted, explaining that the experiences were more painful than she felt ready to articulate fully.
At the age of 14, Winter's life took a dramatic turn when she was removed from her home by Child Protective Services and was placed in the care of her sister, Shanelle Gray. This transition was pivotal in her journey, as it provided a stable environment that contrasted sharply with her earlier experiences, allowing her to navigate her teenage years with greater support.
Despite her departure from Los Angeles, Winter remains committed to her acting career. She has continued to explore various creative avenues, indicating that her passion for performance has not waned. Currently, she is working on a podcast and developing a cooking show, both of which are platforms she hopes to use not only to entertain but also to advocate for positive change.
In her pursuit of healing, Winter expressed that she has a strong desire to leverage her platform to help others facing their own struggles. Her advocacy work reflects a commitment to using her experiences to bring awareness to issues surrounding mental health, especially those related to childhood trauma. 'I want to help others heal,' she stated, emphasizing the importance of community support.
One avenue through which Winter channels this advocacy is her involvement with the organization SOSA, which stands for Safe From Online Sex Abuse. This organization focuses on protecting children from predators online—a cause that resonates deeply with Winter given her own experiences with harassment. Her participation in SOSA allows her to take a proactive stance in safeguarding the well-being of others.
Winter's desire to return to Los Angeles is contingent upon finding the right opportunities, particularly if offered a network show. She articulated that while she is moving forward with her life and career, the memories associated with her upbringing in the city are complicated. 'I left to escape not-so-great memories, but if the right project comes along, I would consider coming back,' she reflected.
As Winter continues to navigate her post-childhood stardom life, she remains focused on both her personal growth and her professional ambitions. Her journey serves as a testimony to resilience in the face of adversity, and her ongoing projects represent not only her artistic endeavors but also her commitment to advocate for other children facing similar challenges. By sharing her story and working with organizations that aim to protect vulnerable individuals, Winter is setting an example of how personal experiences can lead to positive change.