From the very beginning, the cast of Modern Family captured the hearts of fans, but over the course of 13 years, they have undergone remarkable changes. As the series debuted, many of the cast members were young, effectively growing up on screen.
Reflecting on their journey, Nolan Gould, who portrayed Luke Dunphy, shared his experience during a panel for the final season in January 2020. He acknowledged the peculiar feeling of hitting puberty during a break and returning to the show changed but not entirely. It was a unique situation, having those formative years broadcasted to millions of people. However, the cast was fortunate to have an incredibly supportive fan base.
Ariel Winter, who joined the show at the age of 11, also experienced the challenges of growing up in the public eye as a young woman. The pressure and stress of millions of people commenting on her life were significant hurdles to navigate. Winter, now 22, reflected on how she, along with Rico Rodriguez and Nolan Gould, went through substantial changes over the span of 11 years.
She specifically mentioned a challenging year when she had braces and went through puberty during the summer while juggling other personal struggles.
Sarah Hyland, who was 18 when the show premiered, faced social media criticism regarding her changing appearance throughout the series. She opened up about a particularly difficult season due to health issues, which resulted in significant weight gain. Hyland, now 29, emphasized that women, in particular, often face intense scrutiny.
She commended Ariel Winter for her maturity and graceful handling of the situation and acknowledged that together, they tackled the criticism head-on.
Moreover, Hyland shared her experience of feeling somewhat isolated in terms of age. Being in her late teens and early twenties, she found herself in a unique position between those born in 1998 and the closest cast member in age, Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
This “no man’s land” made the journey challenging, but Hyland expressed annoyance rather than pain when looking back on those times. She firmly stated her decision not to share pictures from specific seasons, emphasizing her determination to focus on moving forward.
The cast of Modern Family underwent extraordinary transformations while growing up amidst the spotlight. Their individual journeys, filled with personal and professional growth, are a testament to their resilience and dedication. Despite the challenges, they navigated the spotlight with grace, embracing change and maturing both on and off the screen.