Ariel Winter credits Sofia Vergara for helping her accept her body

Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Ariel Winter has praised her Modern Family costar Sofia Vergara for helping her come to terms with her adult body.

"I had a great role model in Sofia growing up, with her being a curvy woman that was super proud of who she was and what she looked like," the actress shares in a new interview with Self Magazine.

"[Sofia] could see that I was struggling a little bit with how to deal with my body, and was always trying to give me advice, like, 'Here are some brands that would look good on our body type,' or 'Wear whatever you want, and feel good about yourself,'" she continued about how Vergara made her feel more comfortable in her own skin.

The 18-year-old also credited her older sister Shanelle Workman with helping her become body-positive.

"I would listen to her talk to me, saying, 'It doesn't matter what other people think. You are who you are. It's not going to change. Love yourself for who you are. People are going to hate regardless of what you do. You could conform to everything they say, and they're still going to find something to pick. Or you could be yourself and be happy and not listen to what they say,'" she shared.

Winter, who is often bullied on social media over her appearance, caused a stir in June of 2015 when she received breast reduction surgery at 17. "I'm happier for it," she explained in February.

Accompanying the interview, Winter posed topless for Self Magazine which was shared on the publication's official Twitter account.