Ariel Winter responds after fans accused her of having plastic surgery

Modern Family actress Ariel Winter has responded to body-shaming critics who accused her of going under the knife in a bid to slim down.

The trouble began earlier this month when the actress uploaded a number of pictures of herself to Instagram, and some commenters rather rudely pointed out that she appeared to have shed a fair amount of weight.

Before long, these criticisms had escalated and people began calling Winter out for the use of plastic surgery. Others dubiously believed that the star's appetite had diminished as a result of alleged cocaine binges.

One disgruntled Instagram user wrote: "You're actually gorgeous. But pills and nose candy go hand in hand with Hollywood. Enjoy yourself, but don't get ruined by it."

Another person wrote: "Nothing wrong with being honest and telling her we liked her better before 'the change' she was so beautiful before she started chopping up her body, and if me saying so helps one gurl out there to feel beautiful who's thinking of getting PS then it's worth it. [sic]"

Ariel replied to them saying: "I appreciate you wanting to help girls love themselves the way they are, but you are also kind of cutting someone (me) down. I also didn't get plastic surgery. That is also not being supportive of women if you're just assuming something about the way they look."

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Modern Family actress opened up about her struggles with self-image and mental health, which she blamed on her "stage mom" who pressured her to get her into show business.

Her mother Crystal Workman would allegedly physically strike her, control how much she ate, and constantly criticise her. She also sexualised her daughter from a young age.

Winter's mother's emotional abuse allegedly became so extreme and devastating, that her sister Shanelle Workman filed papers to become her guardian and emancipated the actress from her mother's care.

Winter also discussed how she has had to deal with online haters since the age of 12, when she was first cast in Modern Family. Furthermore, she stated that she has enjoyed going to college and furthering her education.

"I definitely want to continue being an actress. I love it," she stated. "The reason I'm going to college is because I do want knowledge in another field. College isn't the college experience for me. I'm not going to be in a sorority, I'm not going to network, I'm not even really going to make my lifelong friends. I've had the career experience. I've had the experience of taking care of myself. I'm going to college because I genuinely want to learn."