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Ariel Winter and Luke Benward | Source: Getty Images
Ariel Winter and Luke Benward | Source: Getty Images

Ariel Winter's Dating History: Recalling the 'Modern Family' Star's Boyfriends

Bettina Dizon
Jan 30, 2023
03:15 A.M.

Ariel Winter is still young but already has a successful career and a dating history that is just as impressive. One of Ariel Winter's boyfriends was much older, while another was her high school sweetheart.

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Ariel Winter was only eleven when she took on the role of Alex Dunphy on the critically acclaimed television series "Modern Family." Several opportunities have since opened up for the young actress.

In 2012, she starred as the titular character on Disney's "Sofia the First" and reprised her role in "Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess." Winter became a promising actress with more projects, including "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" and "Truck Stop." Like her career, she also has an impressive dating history for her age.

Cameron Palatas and Ariel Winter during the WWE SummerSlam VIP Kick-Off Party at Beverly Hills Hotel on August 16, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Cameron Palatas and Ariel Winter during the WWE SummerSlam VIP Kick-Off Party at Beverly Hills Hotel on August 16, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

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Besides her work, fans have taken an interest in Winter's romantic relationships, especially when she is linked to a name familiar in the industry.

Laurent Gaudette Was Ariel Winter's High School Sweetheart

Cameron Palatas was one of the first names linked to Winter. In 2012, Winter made headlines for her breakup with Palatas. She was 14 at that time, while he was 18.

Their romance was controversial and without Winter's mother, Chrisoula Workman's blessing, due to the couple's age difference. Workman filed a police report against Palatas, citing an incident where she walked in on Winter and Palatas in bed.

Ariel Winter and Cameron Palatas during the "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - Part 1" Premiere at The Paley Center for Media on September 24, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Ariel Winter and Cameron Palatas during the "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - Part 1" Premiere at The Paley Center for Media on September 24, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

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The pair only dated for a few months until the actress claimed they were just friends during the Ronald McDonald Camp Halloween party.

In 2013, Winter met another love interest, Laurent Gaudette, while attending high school. She made the first move to get to know Gaudette by texting him a long paragraph. The duo celebrated their second anniversary in October 2015, but they called it quits two months later.

It didn't take long for Winter to find romance again. She was linked to Callan McAuliffe the following year, but not many reports about them circulated in the media.

Ariel Winter and Laurent Claude Gaudette during The Dream Builders Project 3rd Annual 'A Brighter Future For Children' Charity Gala at Taglyan Cultural Complex on March 3, 2016, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Ariel Winter and Laurent Claude Gaudette during The Dream Builders Project 3rd Annual 'A Brighter Future For Children' Charity Gala at Taglyan Cultural Complex on March 3, 2016, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

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Ariel Winter and Levi Meaden Were Criticized for Their Age Gap

In 2017, Winter's relationship became the subject of criticism again after she moved in with her then-29-year-old boyfriend, Levi Meaden. The actress, then 19, was not shaken by her haters. She said:

"I don't understand why someone would even comment on our situation at all. There are tons of people of all ages that live with their boyfriend. There are tons of people that live with their girlfriends, tons of people that don't live together and are super happy."

Winter had nothing but kind words to say about her boyfriend, claiming that Meaden was significant in her process toward self-love. According to the child star, she was lucky to be with an amazing man who always stood by her.

Ariel Winter and Levi Meaden walking outdoors on August 06, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Ariel Winter and Levi Meaden walking outdoors on August 06, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

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Sadly, their relationship ended after three years. Their breakup was first speculated when they no longer appeared together in public. The pair reportedly split due to their different lifestyles.

"She really missed her friends and her old life, which is why she's been hanging out with Luke [Benward] so much," an insider said.

Ariel Winter Found Her "Safe Space" in Luke Benward

It didn't take long for Winter and Luke Benward's friendship to bloom into something more. Rumors of their romance began three months after her breakup. According to a source, the pair make a great couple.

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Benward, who famously starred in Netflix's "Dumplin'" alongside Danielle MacDonald and Jennifer Aniston, walked the red carpet with Winter in 2019 during the Lancôme x Vogue L'Absolu Ruby holiday event.

"It's been the biggest blessing for me. He is amazing. He is definitely my safe space," Winter said about her new lover.

Like Winter, several "Modern Family" stars made headlines for their relationships. Previously, Julie Bowen's divorce from Scott Phillips became a topic of interest amongst fans. Her co-star, Eric Stonestreet, also showed his love by celebrating his fiancee on Instagram.

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