Modern Family star Ariel Winters appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres on Monday and opened up about her decision to be emancipated from her parents.
Speaking honestly she cites mental and physical safety as the main reason minors seek to “divorce” their parents.
Ariel was granted emancipation in May 2015 and at the time wrote:
'I am now officially emancipated!!! I'm really lucky I have an amazing support system and lovely people in my life who have given me the support and guidance to have been given this wonderful opportunity.'
On Monday’s show the 18-year-old revealed that her sister plays a major part in her life and that she’s in a much better position since being removed from her Mother.
She acknowledged her passion for the entertainment industry but when speaking about her hopes for the future Ariel states that she wishes to study law and is currently finishing High School.
“My mother put me into the [entertainment] industry when I was four years old, and I think when you’re four years old, you don’t really know anything that you want to do," she said.
"You want to be everything. [Which is not] to say that this isn’t my passion and I don’t love it. I do love it and I would love to continue doing it for the rest of my life, but I'd also love to explore other avenues."
Ariel refused to comment on the reason for wanting emancipation directly but it was
reported in 2015 that the court proceedings were a result of allegations of abuse.
