By now, you’re probably aware that Ariel Winter’s Instagram is more popular within the key demographic than her lumbering dinosaur of a sitcom.
The actress’ racy selfies have made her a favorite on social media and in the tabloids, but there are downsides to being popular in those crowds.
Ever post something, feel a little too exposed, and immediately regret it?
Imagine that times several million and you start to get an idea of Ariel’s plight.
While we’re sure she’d be the first to admit that she courts and enjoys the attention, Ariel understandably gets frustrated when the comments and media coverage go too far.
And now, she’s clapping back with a lengthy rant against the press, the toxic environment on social media, and the perception that she’s using risque clothing to boost her career.
“Something I wish people would realize…I am not TRYING to be featured on Snapchat,” Winter’s rant begins.
“I am not trying to be pap’d everywhere I do, I am literally just LIVING and unfortunately, I can’t do that without paparazzi following me around everyday,” she adds.
“I’m not trying to show you my ass in shorts when I go to the grocery store. I’m trying to live my life. People wear shorts. People have wardrobe malfunctions. No one is perfect.”
Winter went on to address the criticism she’s faced for dressing “inappropriately” for certain events, such as when she attended the premiere of a children’s movie in a see-through dress.
“I’m not a stylist! I don’t know what to wear everyday so I look ‘appropriate’ or ‘fashionable.’ Also, screw having to always look appropriate or fashionable,” she wrote.
“For what? Society? Who gets to decide what is appropriate or fashionable???? I wear what I like and no one should fault me for that. I don’t want people to constantly see me in the news for going to dinner, or grocery shopping, or anything,” she continued.
“I want to be in the news when I ASK for it by going to a publicized event, or EVEN BETTER when I have work out/coming out! So trust me, I don’t want to see me in shorts putting water in my car every single d—n day as much as you don’t.”
The common rebuttal there will likely be that Ariel could easily afford a stylist, and if she’s so bothered by criticisms of her attire, it might be a worthwhile investment.
That said, we see her point, and she certainly shouldn’t feel obligated to hire a personal shopper.
From there, Ariel delves into an even more serious topic: her troubled childhood, and the ways in she feels she was sexualized as an adolescent.
“I’d also like to address the tweets I get saying ‘you accused your mother of sexualizing you yet you’re a whore.’ I was a CHILD being dressed like I was 24. I was 8-13 years old,” the actress writes.
“I wasn’t an ADULT as I am now. As you mature at 16, 17, 18 you further develop your own identity and can make decisions for yourself. As a child, you do as you’re told regardless of what is good for you.”
“I’m an ADULT now, who can make my own choices and have my own identity. And just because I DECIDE to show my body occasionally doesn’t mean I’m unintelligent or that I’m talentless or that I have no self respect,” she adds.
The entire piece is worth reading, and Ariel addresses a number of important topics.
It’s impossible to tell at this point where her career might be headed, but it’s good to know that Ariel is aware of the various pitfalls of fame, even if–like just about every other celebrity–she’s not entirely sure how to avoid them.
We feel confident that she’ll eventually find a way to navigate this tricky industry.
She seems well on her way.
