Behind the scenes of Modern Family, Sarah Hyland struggled with a lot of issues in her personal life. Through the 11 seasons of the show, fans witnessed how much the actress' appearance has changed. Viewers were particularly concerned about her drastic weight loss, as well as her swollen face. Hyland later revealed that it was due to a chronic illness that led to two kidney transplants. Here's the tragic story about her condition.
Why Did Sarah Hyland Lose Weight?
In May 2017, Hyland released a statement addressing her sudden weight loss. "I haven't had the greatest year. Maybe one day I'll talk about it but for now, I'd like my privacy. I will say that this year has brought a lot of changes and with that, physical changes," she wrote. At that time, she refused to disclose the details of her health condition. However, she did assure fans that she wasn't starving herself as speculated by many. "I have been told that I can't work out. Which, for me, is very upsetting," she explained.
"I love to be STRONG. (I'll be using that word a lot) Strength is everything," she continued. "Being strong has gotten me where I am. Both mentally and physically. I am not a fan of 'being skinny.'" She also called out the trolls who kept shaming her. "'Eat a burger,' 'your head is bigger than your body and that's disgusting,'" she quoted. "And you're right! … No one's head should be bigger than their body but considering I've basically been on bed rest for the past few months, I've lost a lot of muscle mass."
"My circumstances have put me in a place where I'm not in control of what my body looks like," she continued. "So I strive to be as healthy as possible, as everyone should." She added that she was "eating as much protein as possible" but confessed that it had been a tough process. "It's never fun to look in the mirror and see your hard work at the gym fade away or have your legs be the size of one's arms," wrote the actress. "But I know that when I get clearance I will be able to get back to the STRONG, lean, and fabulous self I know I can be."
What Happened To Sarah Hyland's Face In Season 8 Of 'Modern Family'?
Hyland's face was visibly swollen on Modern Family season 8. Some thought she had work done on her face, but she later revealed that it was caused by her health complications. "Sometimes a selfie is more than just a good angle or feelin cute. This time for #NationalSelfieDay, I've decided to share my truth. As painful as it is," she wrote on her Instagram Story showing her swollen face. "So here is my face that was torn from work against my will. But I'm very grateful it was. Health should always come first... #stayhealthymyfriends."
At that time, the actress was still reluctant to discuss her illness. However, she addressed the negative comments about her swollen face. "I don't mind when you say that I look pregnant. Or fat. Because I know that my face is swollen from my medication that is saving my life," she said. "For those on Prednisone I know what you're going through and I commend you sticking it out as I have."
She added that she's focusing on her health since haters will never be satisfied with her appearance anyway. "My self-confidence is not rendered from your comments," she continued. "Because I will always be too fat. I will always be too skinny. I will never have enough curves to be called a woman. And I will always be a s--t for wearing a push-up bra. Love the you you set out to be. Be the best version of yourself. Be healthy."
The Tragic Truth About Sarah Hyland's Health Issues
In December 2018, Hyland finally opened up about her battle with kidney dysplasia. At that time, she was on her second kidney transplant. The first one was donated by her dad. However, her body started rejecting it in 2016. The following year, she discovered that her younger brother Ian was a match for a second transplant. But that didn't make it easier. "I was very depressed. When a family member gives you a second chance at life, and it fails, it almost feels like it's your fault. It's not. But it does," Hyland said of the failed first transplant.
"For a long time, I was contemplating suicide, because I didn't want to fail my little brother like I failed my dad," she continued. "I had gone through [my whole life] of always being a burden, of always having to be looked after, having to be cared for." That year, she recovered pretty well from the second transplant. However, she was also dealing with other health issues like endometriosis. It caused her to undergo laparoscopic surgery. She said it was "one of the most painful things" she'd ever gone through in her life.
In 2021, she teamed up with Sourse as their creative director and co-founder. It is a brand of vitamin-infused chocolates which she said is "really good for people to not only focus on their physical health, but also their mental health as well."