‘Modern Family’ star Ariel Winter explains why she decided to get a breast reduction

Seventeen-year-old TV star Ariel Winter is opening up about her breast reduction surgery that took her from a 32F cup size down to a 34D.

The petite “Modern Family” star told Glamour magazine that she’s struggled with her endowment since the age of 14, claiming that her breasts “grew overnight” and caused neck, back and spinal issues.

Winter, who announced her legal emancipation last May, decided to go under the knife in June following years of physical and emotional stress and a fateful swimsuit shopping trip -- not because of online bullying, the actress said.

“I got it for myself. I can’t even really put it into words about how amazing it feels to really feel right,” she told the mag, adding that her doctor helped her decide how much she’d be reducing her cup size.

“He said he didn’t think we should go smaller than a C, and I agreed. And the reason I said that was because I have always been a curvier girl. Always. And I enjoy being a curvier girl. I don’t want to be disproportionate again. I have a big butt, I like having a big butt. I didn’t want to have a big butt and no boobs!” she said.

Winter, who plays bookworm Alex Dunphy on “Modern Family,” complained of missing out on age-appropriate roles and revealed that her costumes were frequently altered on the ABC comedy to accommodate her large chest.

“They had to hide it on ‘Modern Family’ a lot. Big sweaters, [or] strapping me down — which is fine — I understand that it doesn’t fit the character they have in mind. I understand that. But it was difficult to do that every day,” she said.

Winter talked to her “Modern Family” costar Julie Bowen, who plays her mom on the award-winning series, before the surgery and later told costar Sofia Vergara.

“Everyone is really happy for me and has been super supportive. They understand I’ve been struggling with this for so many years,” she said.

The actress decided to share her story to do some good and because she didn’t want people wondering what happened to her.

“It’s something that I did to better my life and better my health, and I think that that can benefit a lot of young girls. I have felt more happy with myself than I ever have. I am living a dream that a lot of girls my age would love to be living, and I’m aware of that. I’m really grateful that I’m able to do that and have a voice that I’m able to speak to teenagers. I don’t want to do anything to mess that up.”

Follow me on Twitter @NardineSaad.