Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland defends Ariel Winter against ‘pervs’

Don’t mess with Sarah Hyland’s little sister — well, the woman who plays her little sister on Modern Family — Ariel Winter.

They’ve been friends since filming the show began in 2009 when Ariel was 11 and Sarah was 18 and have spent a significant part of their lives together portraying bickering sisters, so naturally they’re close.

But when people began leaving distasteful, leering comments on an Instagram photo Ariel shared of herself fresh-faced at the gas pump, Sarah was not having it.

Ariel Winter copped some serious backlash online from people who criticised her fresh-faced look. Source: Instagram/ArielWinter

She lashed out at the offending commenters, managing to do it without using any expletives — which was rather impressive.

“To all the pervs commenting on this post?” she wrote underneath. “GET OFFLINE AND GET BACK TO YOUR BLOWUP DOLL YA CREEPS!”

Sarah Hyland and Ariel Winter, shown in 2016, have grown close since starring together on ABC’s Modern Family. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner)

Some of the non-creepy commenters lauded her for standing up for her TV sis.

“Real big sister down there” and “you tell em girl” were among their messages.

Sarah, who’s recovering from a stay in the hospital, then followed suit from Ariel and shared her own dressed-down snapshot.

The slightly older actress has always tried to look out for her on-screen actress as she explained in a July 2017 interview with People.

“I like to think we — me, Julie Bowen, and Sofia Vergara — helped her be confident with her body and herself,” she said, referring to the co-stars who play her mom and aunt.

“I mean, she was 11 years old when I met her. I was 18. I tried to be a good role model for her, and a true older sister for her because she’s such a sweet little girl.”

Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Sarah Hyland, and Ariel Winter hold up their trophies for Modern Family at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Julie, who plays the mum of both the girls characters has also spoken about her close connection with the two.

“I love my fake children,” Bowen told Us Weekly in April. “I love them so much. People say, ‘What are you going to do when Modern Family ends?’ And I’m like, ‘What are you going to do when your family ends?’ It’s not going to be easy.”

The upcoming 10th season of the ABC sitcom is expected to be its last. But you know what they say about family.