Ariel Winter slams estranged mother for encouraging her to cover up

Actress Ariel Winter has lashed out at her estranged mother after she publicly urged the teen to "dress properly" and cover up in public.

Relations between the Modern Family star and her mom, Chrystal Workman, have been strained since Ariel was removed from her care in 2012, amid allegations she had been physically and emotionally abusive to the youngster.

Ariel was subsequently placed under the guardianship of her older sister, Shanelle Gray, and she was officially emancipated in 2015, at the age of 17.

The actress previously revealed her relationship with Chrystal was non-existent, but that hasn't stopped her mother from speaking out in the press about her kid's revealing wardrobe choices.

"She needs to grow up," her mom told In Touch magazine. "I would tell her to dress properly, be the beautiful person she is. I feel sad that she feels the need to expose herself when it's not necessary.

"Ariel is smart, beautiful and talented. She is a legitimate actress. She does not need to do this. She is beautiful with her clothes on."

The star, now 19, has made it clear she does not appreciate Chrystal's tabloid criticism and has taken aim at her mother in a post on Twitter.com.

"What's sad is that you lie consistently," Ariel wrote, without referencing her mom by name. "Also, why is it that you only choose to talk to me through the press? I'm doing just fine."

Ariel, who has made a name for herself by flashing flesh-baring ensembles on social media and at red carpet events, has previously defended her style choices, most recently after joining her casually-dressed Modern Family castmates for a screening event in California last month (May17) - she showed up in a plunging gold sequinned mini dress that showed off her enviable curves.

"Why... does anyone care that I didn't dress casual like everyone else for the panel?" she ranted online. "Why do I have to be like everyone else? Why can't people just let other people feel good about themselves and do what they want? WEAR WHATEVER YOU WANT PEOPLE!"