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Ariel Sinter Image Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Modern Family star Ariel Winter says she feels “insecure all the time” and recalled being branded “fat” during her younger years.

“I was completely flat and would get ridiculed for that. I started trying to dress for my body and was called a [expletive] or fat. It got even worse as I was turning 13, 14, 15. It really took so much of my self-esteem,” she told US Magazine.

She added: “I still get insecure all the time.”

The 19-year-old actress, who plays Alex Dunphy in the show, decided against trying to please others after years of dieting, and always tries to write something positive on social media to make herself feel good.

“I would say to myself, ‘Do you really feel this way about yourself?’ And the answer was always no. It was really disappointing that people would hate me so much for dressing how I wanted to. It’s difficult to not write something sassy, but I feel better when I write something positive. Maybe they’ll not write something hurtful next time. It makes you feel better about yourself,” she said.