Modern Family's Ariel Winter hits back at body shamers accusing her of having weight-loss surgery

Ariel Winter has hit back at body shamers who speculated her weight loss was the result of plastic surgery.

The Modern Family star celebrated her 21st birthday on Monday, but instead of birthday wishes her Instagram was flooded with comments about the way she looked.

After posting a photo of herself wearing a plaid jumpsuit alongside actor Joe Kaprielian on Sunday, a number of trolls commented on Winter’s recent weight loss with one person saying: “You’re losing your thick!!!”, while another claimed she was “too slim”.

Others even speculated that the actor had undergone plastic surgery.

“Healthier? She got work done to her face. She looked 'healthier' before,” one person commented.

“Nothing wrong with being honest and telling her we liked her better before 'the change' she was so beautiful before she started chopping up her body and if me saying so helps one gurl [sic] out there to feel beautiful who's thinking of PS then its worth it,” a second person added.

Winter, who has been the subject of much criticism over the years for everything from her decision to have breast reduction surgery at age 17 to her style choices, eventually fired back.

“I appreciate you wanting to help girls love themselves the way they are, but you are also kind of cutting someone (me) down,” she wrote.

“I also didn’t get plastic surgery. That is also not being supportive of women if you’re just assuming something about the way they look.”

A number of the 21-year-old’s fans quickly leaped to her defence, condemning others of being so critical.

“Y'all complain when y'all think she gained weight and y'all complain when y'all think she lost weight. How about we just let her be. I think Ariel always looks beautiful,” one fan argued.

Another added: ““Why is everyone being so critical? She lost weight so what. It’s HER body.”

This isn’t the first time Winter has had to deal with body shamers.

Earlier this month, the actor expertly hit back at another Instagram troll who accused her of using drugs to lose weight.

“Not half as bad as all the coke.meth she uses. She literally dropped 30 ponds [sic].”

Winter fired back, first making fun of the user’s misspelling of “pounds".

“Yup... I dropped 30 bodies of water so fast…” she said.

”And yes!! My psychiatrist switched me from my previous antidepressant that didn’t work and made me gain weight, to coke/meth!!

“Definitely not a new one that worked and then regulated my metabolism. Coke/meth was a controversial decision but she stands by it.”

The actor also laughed off “super-strict” diet rumours in December, tweeting: “I eat every carb possible and I make soft chocolate chip cookies every week."