Ariel Winter Is Officially Emancipated

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Ariel is thankful.

Ariel Winter is now legally emancipiated.

The 17-year-old Modern Family star went on Twitter to share the news with a statement of gratitude.

"I am now officially emancipated!!!" she wrote on Friday. "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. Most importantly I want to thank [sister] @shanelle_gray and my father for their special support regarding this matter, I really couldn't have done it without them."


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Winter's older sister Shanelle Gray was granted temporary custody in 2012 following allegations that Ariel had "been the victim of ongoing physical abuse (slapping, hitting, pushing) and emotional abuse (vile name calling, personal insults about minor and minor's height, attempts to 'sexualize' minor, deprivation of food, etc.) for an extended period of time by the minor's mother [Chrisoula 'Crystal' Workman]..." Ariel's mother denied the allegations.

Gray was then granted permanent custody of Ariel in May of 2014, and Ariel’s father, Glenn Workman, was awarded guardianship over her finances.


NEWS: Ariel Winter Goes to Prom! 

Winter also expressed thanks to those who have been there for her. "Thank you to all of my family, friends, and fans who have supported me through all of my endeavors in life, and have encouraged me," she continued. "Thank you for making my life so special! I can't wait to embark on my new adventures."

She recently had a magical high school adventure as she attended prom with her boyfriend Laurent Claude Gaudette. Watch below.