Modern Family’s Ariel Winter reveals why she left Hollywood after 20 years and what she’s doing now
The former Modern Family star has embraced a quieter lifestyle in Tennessee after spending most of her life in Los Angeles. However, despite finding a fresh start away from Hollywood, she admits there is still one thing about California that makes leaving behind her old life difficult.
For Ariel Winter, 28, growing up in the entertainment industry meant that Los Angeles was more than just a place to live. It was where she spent nearly her entire childhood and built a successful acting career. But after almost two decades surrounded by the fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle, the actress eventually decided it was time for a change.
Winter, who became widely recognized for playing Alex Dunphy on the hit sitcom Modern Family, has since established a new home in Nashville, Tennessee, choosing a lifestyle that offers more privacy, space and a slower pace of life.
In May 2022, she purchased a property in College Grove, Tennessee, marking an important step toward starting a new chapter away from the entertainment industry’s constant attention.
Although she has made Tennessee her primary home, Winter continues to travel between the state and California, balancing her personal life with professional commitments and maintaining relationships with the people who have been part of her life for years.
“I Have All of My People There”
In an interview reported by OK!, Winter opened up about what motivated her decision to leave Los Angeles and explained that she had simply reached a point where she wanted something different.
“I grew up in L.A. and just really wanted a change of pace,” she explained.
The actress said the city’s constant activity had gradually become something she wanted to escape. After spending so many years in an environment dominated by the entertainment industry, she wanted the opportunity to experience a different kind of everyday life.
“L.A. is busy, and I was hoping to just get away a little and see what that change does for me. I wanted seasons and snow! I also wanted to get away from paparazzi, and just live a normal life, and it gave me that!”
For Winter, moving to Tennessee offered exactly what she had been looking for. Instead of dealing with the constant attention that often comes with being a recognizable Hollywood actress, she could enjoy greater privacy and experience the changing seasons while living somewhere that felt more removed from the pressures of celebrity life.
However, leaving Los Angeles has not been entirely easy.
Despite her desire to distance herself from the city’s hectic atmosphere, Winter admitted that her strongest connection to California remains the people she loves and the friendships she has built over the years.
“I don’t really love L.A., but I have all of my people there, which I think is what makes it really tough to leave.”
That emotional connection is one of the reasons she continues returning to California, even after establishing a home elsewhere.
Her Close Friendship With Former Modern Family Co-Star Nolan Gould
One of the relationships Winter has maintained since her Modern Family days is her close friendship with Nolan Gould, who portrayed her on-screen younger brother, Luke Dunphy.
The two actors developed a strong bond while working together on the long-running sitcom, and their relationship has continued well beyond the show’s final episode.
When Winter travels back to Los Angeles, she shares a home with Gould, making it easier for her to spend time with one of her closest friends.
Speaking about their living arrangement, Winter made it clear that their relationship goes far beyond their years working together on television.
“That is my brother. Best friends since the beginning. We are family without a doubt. I love him so much. He’s the best, and living together is so fun. It’s just been the best experience ever,” she said.
Winter has also previously discussed their arrangement in an interview with PEOPLE, describing how much she enjoys having Gould around and being able to spend more time with him.
“Living with Nolan is so fun. Honestly, it’s so sweet and it’s so fun. It’s just wonderful to live with Nolan and to get to spend so much time with him.”
Their friendship offers a reminder that, although Winter has moved away from the city where her acting career began, she has not abandoned the important relationships she formed during those years.
For the former co-stars, their connection has remained strong long after Modern Family came to an end.
What Is Ariel Winter Working on Now?
While Winter has stepped away from the traditional Hollywood lifestyle, she has not walked away from acting.
Instead of concentrating exclusively on live-action television and film roles, she has continued developing her career through animation and voice acting, an area that has allowed her to explore different characters and creative opportunities.
Her latest project is The Sisters Grimm, an Apple TV+ animated series that premiered on October 2.
The project reflects Winter’s continued interest in bringing animated characters to life, particularly those with stories and personalities that can have a positive influence on younger audiences.
Speaking about her experience in animation, the actress explained that she enjoys the opportunity to give life to characters that might otherwise exist only on the page.
“You’re getting a little character to bring to life, and it’s really, really cool.”
She also expressed gratitude for the opportunities she has received throughout her career, highlighting how meaningful it has been to work on animated productions featuring characters she believes can positively influence young viewers.
“But also, I just think I’ve been really lucky to have some really incredible animated projects put in front of me and some amazing characters that I think are really positively influential for young people, and so I’ve been really excited about that.”
Winter’s career continues to evolve, with voice acting providing a different creative outlet while allowing her to remain connected to the entertainment industry.
Although her decision to leave Los Angeles marked a significant personal change, it has not meant giving up the profession that made her famous.
Instead, the former Modern Family star appears to have found a balance between pursuing new professional opportunities and enjoying a more private life away from Hollywood’s constant spotlight.
For someone who spent nearly 20 years growing up in the entertainment capital, moving to Tennessee has offered an opportunity to experience something she had long wanted: a little more privacy, a slower pace and a life that feels more like her own.