Modern Family star Ariel Winter has come out swinging to defend herself after a barrage of criticism for the revealing outfit she wore to an event in North Hollywood this week.
Attending a panel discussion for the popular show, Winter wore a gold, embellished minidress with some strategically-placed mesh panels, standing out from the rest of the cast who were more conservatively dressed.
Our wonderful cast at the #ModernFamily FYC Event! ?? pic.twitter.com/q1z4dsACdG
— Modern Family (@ModernFam) May 4, 2017
Winter, whose Coachella look consisted of cutoffs and a pink stuffed llama, is no stranger to bold fashion statements, but this time, she received so much blowback that she felt compelled to respond via a rant on Instagram.
As commenters chimed in saying “Ariel is def trying too hard to look slutty” and “That girl @arielwinter1 oozes insecurity and is 2 minutes away from being like or worse than Lindsay Lohan”, she responded:
“Why TF does anyone care that I didn’t dress casual like everyone else for the panel? Why do I have to be like everyone else? Why can’t people just let other people feel good about themselves and do what they want? WEAR WHATEVER YOU WANT PEOPLE! As long as you feel good about yourself that’s what matters. I know I did. Don’t ever let anyone stifle who you are and how you express yourself. Rant over :)”
Preach.
Winter has previously thanked people for body-shaming her on social media, saying:
“Every time someone bullies me online, it gives me a chance to re-emphasize to my fans, and even myself, how important self-acceptance is. Those who say such harsh things on my Instagram, thank you for this opportunity – but the question I ask myself each time I read the mean comments is if this is how you talk to a stranger online, I can only imagine how cruelly you speak to yourself. Stop the hate. Accept all that you are and know your flaws are what make you the PERFECT you. I love my fans and I love my bullies for I know what they truly NEED is love.”
Source: USA Today.
Photo: Jason LaVeris / Getty.
