It started back in middle school. I was in eighth grade when the first person asked me, "Are you that girl from Modern Family?"
At the time, I had no idea who they were talking about. I didn't watch the show and from the vague knowledge I had about the show, there were several female characters on the show. The kids would yell it across the bus and I was freaked out because I didn't know them. I remember turning around and saying, "I don't know what you are talking about."
If I am recalling correctly, they asked me again the next week. But this time, they had a picture. The boys were referring to the character, Alex Dunphy, played by Ariel Winter. I have to admit, I was pretty freaked out when I saw the picture. We even had the same shape glasses frame at the time. For the rest of the year, I was dubbed "Modern Family Girl" (My name did not matter at the time apparently).
Then, in high school, other people started asking me if I was her or if we were related. In my Senior Seminar class, I had a guy come up to me, in the middle of us working on a project, with the question, "Have you ever watched Modern Family?"
Which I responded, "No but yes, I know I look like Alex. I've been getting that since eighth grade."
For some reason, he needed to hold up a picture that he found of Ariel on the internet next to my face and announce it to the whole class.
By far, the weirdest experience was last year at Target. I was in the bra section when some man, a complete stranger, asks me, "Are you Ariel Winter?"
I shook my head no and high-tailed it out of there.
For those who are wondering, it isn't that fun looking like a celebrity. The first few times are funny but by the twentieth time, it is just annoying. By now I do understand that the new friend or stranger doesn't know that, but in my head I am silently screaming. It is even creepier when strangers ask you, like the Target guy. It's even continuing into college. I had a friend say, "That was the first thing I thought of when I saw you."
Do I have feeling this will continue on in my future? Yes. Will I be slightly annoyed? Yes. But I will also continue with my answer every time,
"No, I have not seen the show. Yes, I know that I look Alex." all with a smile on my face.
Here is a side-by-side:
