Modern Family child star unrecognisable as she shares harsh reality of growing up in spotlight
This child star shot to fame on Modern Family when she was just four years old - but now, she's opening up about the harsh realities of child stardom
A former Modern Family child star appeared completely different in a recent video as she revealed the brutal truths about maturing in the public eye.
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, now 17, shot to fame after making her acting debut as Lily Tucker-Pritchett on the hit ABC sitcom when she was just four years old.
For eight years, she won over viewers' hearts whilst portraying the charming daughter of Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), with the entire globe seemingly observing as she grew into a teenager - both on screen and off.
However, she has now spoken candidly about the reality of being thrust into fame at such a tender age. In a TikTok post, the actress confessed she had no clue 'what she was getting herself into' when she joined the programme aged four.
She also disclosed that she faced a barrage of vicious comments, which eventually caused her to retreat from the limelight once the series concluded.
“Have some tea and chat with me about how I grew up on a TV show and what my plans are for the future,' she started in the video, which garnered over one million views.
“As many of you guys know, I grew up on a TV show called Modern Family and I was on that show for eight years of my life.
“People ask things like, 'How did you know you wanted to do that when you were four? How do you know you love something when you're so young?' And the truth is, you don't.”
Aubrey insisted she was “not forced into anything,” adding, “My mum wasn't like, ‘You're going to do this,’ it was not like that.”
However, she admitted that the reality of being a child star wasn't as glamorous as some might imagine. “I was not abused on set or anything like that. But you don't know what you're getting yourself into at four years old when you sign a contract to be on a show,” she confessed.
She also revealed that growing up in the public eye exposed her to harsh criticism. “Also, being on a TV show from a young age, people really took digs at my acting choices or they would say I'm a bad actor,” she recalled.
“I don't feel like I need to prove myself to other people... but it was really hard for me to grow up with so many people's opinions around me.”
Now, Aubrey is ready to step back into the limelight. She said “For anyone who's been wondering, ‘Are you going to be on TV again and would you like to be on TV again or to do films?’ Yes, absolutely, I would love to. And it's gonna happen.”
She added: “I am grateful for all that Modern Family has given me, but it's time to move on to another chapter of my life where I get to share who I am,' she concluded. 'I'm excited for you guys to see it.”