Ariel Winter Admits She Struggled 'For Years' to Find Body Confidence: 'It Was a Really Long Journey'

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Ariel Winter isn't letting the haters get her down.

The Modern Family star was a guest on Tuesday's special episode of The View, taped at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, where she got candid on finally overcoming her struggles with body confidence.


WATCH: Ariel Winter Shows Off Her Stems in Sexy Halter Ensemble

"Well, I struggled for many years with my own confidence with myself," she admitted, when asked why she feels the need to empower women today. "It was a really long journey to find that confidence, and I think it's really important because there are tons of young girls, young boys, people that are older than me, that don't really have a lot of people to look up to that are outspoken about things like that."

"And I thought, you know, I went through so much at a young age, I was criticized for everything -- the way I looked, the way I dressed, what I said," she continued. "And I thought for a while that if I changed the way I was that people would accept me. I tried, and they still didn't."

Winter said that instead of wasting her time trying to make others happy, she realized it was time to focus on herself.

"So that's what I try and tell people is, 'Do what makes you happy,' and that is ultimately going to be the best thing for you," she explained. "I just feel like regardless of the negative comments I'll get for speaking out, it matters so much more to me the positive feedback that I get, that I'll take those negative comments and it doesn't matter. I'm just happy to help."


WATCH: Ariel Winter Shares Racy Thong Bikini Throwback Pic for Valentine's Day

In addition to being a powerful voice for those struggling with body confidence issues during interviews, Winter has no problem sharing risqué pics on social media. Just last month, she posted a throwback snap of herself clad in a thong bikini, wrapping her legs around her shirtless boyfriend, Levi Meaden.

Hear more (and see the photo!) in the video below.