Keith Girard
Ariel Winter, best known for her role as Alex Dunphy in the hit TV comedy “Modern Family,” is embroiled in her own melodrama, call it Hollywood Modern Family. Is it a case of abuse, or of a 14-year-old girl entitlement?
The case could only occur in Hollywood, where Ariel has been acting since age six and now pulls down close to $100,000 per episode for her work on the hit show and other film work.
The dispute pits Ariel’s mother, Chrystal Workman, against her older sister Shanelle Workman, 34, and actor Jimmy Workman. From there the case quickly spirals down into accusations and counter accusations.
Whether it’s a case of abuse or a spoiled 14-year-old’s rebelliousness remains to be seen.
Chrystal, real name Chrisoula, insists the matter boils down to her refusal to allow Ariel to have sex with her 18-year-old boyfriend. If true, the boyfriend could be exposed to statutory rape charges.
“I love my daughter very much. I would never abuse her in anyway and I have always tried my best to always protect her and do what is right for her,” she said in a statement.
But a judge, on Oct 3, determined after a closed guardianship hearing that allegations Chrystal was physically and emotionally abusing Ariel warranted awarding the teen’s custody to sister Shanelle. Ariel alleged she was slapped, pushed called vile names and subject to personal insults about her weight among other things.
She also said her mother attempted to “sexualize” her and refused to feed her “for an extended period of time.”
Chrystal was slapped with a restraining order, according to gossip site TMZ.
In the latest development, Chrystal was back in court with an affidavit of her own today (Nov. 9), claiming that allegations by Shanelle are untrue.
“Since birth, I have loved and cared for Ariel in all her physiological and emotional needs,” Chrystal says … adding, “I have always been her caretaker and looked out for her best interests,” according to the document, obtained by the gossip site.
Chrystal also claims Shanelle is using Ariel to further her own career as an actress, which is basically nonexistent. She also claims she fears she’ll misuse her money. Ah… the money. Shanelle has asked the court for control over Ariel’s finances.
Her relationship with her daughter, she said, went south after she put her foot down on her sexual relationship. Authorities, however, discounted her story because she only raised the issue after she lost custody following a court hearing, although an investigation is said to be underway.
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