Ariel Winter and Luke Benward have reportedly ended their relationship after nearly six years together, according to a report published Thursday, May 14.
People reported that Winter, 28, and Benward, 31, quietly separated in August 2025, bringing an end to a romance that began in 2019. Us Weekly has reached out to representatives for both Winter and Benward for comment on the reported split.
The Modern Family alum and Benward first became romantically linked in 2019, evolving from what had been a platonic friendship into a committed relationship. Their bond was tested early when the COVID-19 pandemic forced couples worldwide into extended lockdowns, but the pair emerged from that period with their connection strengthened.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly in June 2025, Benward reflected on the foundation of their relationship and how the pandemic accelerated their commitment. "You start with the attraction, and then you get the connection, and then you're like, 'OK, can I be friends with this person? Do I like this person?'" Benward explained. "We were already way past that. [Then] COVID hit, and it was just like, let's dive in headfirst and see how this goes. And it went great."
Winter expressed pride at the time that their relationship had survived the challenges of pandemic isolation. "We know a lot of COVID divorces, COVID babies, [but] not many COVID-strong relationships, but we're happy to be one," she said. "We're proud to represent for the COVID-strong relationships."
Beyond their personal relationship, Winter and Benward collaborated professionally, appearing together in last year's Don't Log Off. During their June 2025 interview with Us Weekly, the couple discussed ambitious plans for future creative partnerships, including producing projects together and developing a cooking show they intended to pitch to networks.
"Well, we have obviously what you would expect a relationship to unfold as planned in the next five years," the former Disney Channel star told Us Weekly at the time. "And then, this is the start of the journey for us of producing together, which we've really enjoyed. We have this movie, and then we did a short that went really well."
Benward added, "We just worked really well together. We compliment each other well professionally. We have a cooking show that we're putting together that we're going to be pitching."
The couple frequently shared their relationship milestones on social media. In a 2021 Instagram post celebrating Benward's 26th birthday, Winter wrote an effusive tribute: "Happy 26th to the most special man that gives me alllllllll the feels allllllllllll the time. I love you. I am beyond grateful for you. I feel incredibly lucky to spend each day together enjoying the great days and working through the tough days that we can't go at alone. You've been my safe space and guiding light through all of the tough days this past year — thankful doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. Obviously you are ridiculously handsome, but how ridiculously caring, smart, funny, empathetic, kind, talented and devoted you are to who and what you love is the most attractive."
Winter gained widespread recognition for her role as Alex Dunphy on the long-running sitcom Modern Family. Benward playfully referenced the show in his June 2025 interview, noting his appreciation for the series despite Winter's reluctance to watch it with him. "She won't let me watch Modern Family with her. But sometimes I turn it on just to mess with her," he said. "I just love [Alex's dad] Phil Dunphy. He never misses."
Winter clarified that she never banned Benward from watching Modern Family, only from watching it alongside her. Prior to her relationship with Benward, Winter dated Levi Meaden for three years before their 2019 breakup.
