Ariel Winter isn't holding back against body shamers who suggested the 17-year-old was "asking for it" after she posted an Instagram photo of herself in a bikini.
On Friday, the "Modern Family" star posted a picture, which shows her posing in a bikini with her nieces on a boat with the hashtags "#mynieces #lovethem #fbf." The post drew criticism from social media trolls who made some negative remarks about the actress' body, according to Gossip Cop.
In response, Winter - a minor in the state of California - took to the photo-sharing platform to blast the body shamers for their disparaging comments.
"Who knew that an innocent photo with my nieces would turn into this?" she wrote in the post, sharing a photo of a woman's leg marked with labels like "slut" and "provocative," according to Entertainment Tonight. "The height of a girl's skirt or whatever she is wearing for that matter, does not imply what she is asking for."
"It sickens me to think at 17 years old, a photo of myself with my nieces is suggesting that I'm 'asking for it,'" she added. "I typically never give power to the mean things people bravely say behind their computer screens on the Internet, but this is for the girls who are constantly bullied whether it be online or at school."
Winter, who recently underwent breast reduction surgery, concluded her post with an encouraging statement for women: "Celebrate you and don't let anyone's comments allow you to think less of yourself. Us girls have to stick together!!!!!!"
Earlier this month, Winter and Ariana Grande stood up to a body shaming troll who called Grande a "stick" and referred to Winter as "curvy," as HNGN previously reported.
