Sarah Hyland Responds To Haters Criticizing Her Weight In Heartbreaking Statement

Sarah Hyland addressed people on Twitter criticizing her weight in a statement she tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.

The Modern Family star appeared in Dirty Dancing: The New ABC Musical Event last night, but she spent time earlier in the day responding to people on Twitter who were saying negative things about her weight.

Hyland, who had to have a kidney transplant in 2012 due to a battle with kidney dysplasia, said her health has suffered in the last 12 months, which is why she has lost so much weight and isn't able to exercise. She said, "I'm not in control of what my body looks like."

Part of the statement in the tweet reads,

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. I have been told that I can't work out. Which, for me, is very upsetting. I love to be STRONG. (I'll be using that word a lot) Strength is everything. Being strong has gotten me where I am. Both mentally and physically. I am not a fan of 'being skinny.'

Hyland, 26, says she has been bullied over her weight. She said in the statement she's been accused of "promoting anorexia" in anti-bullying posts.

She credits her severe weight loss and loss of muscle mass to the medication she has to take that she says is saving her life, although she does not reveal what specific health issues she is fighting through.

She said,

'Eat a burger,' 'your head is bigger than your body and that's disgusting.' 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. So I strive to be as healthy as possible, as everyone should.

People online have accused her of promoting anorexia because she has gotten very thin over the last year, but like she said, she's remaining as healthy as she can, but her circumstances have caused her to drop a lot of weight and muscle mass.

She added,

Oh and no that's not photoshop. Those are my legs. Those are my arms. I write this because I've been accused of promoting anorexia in, ironically enough, an anti bullying post. And I want young girls to know that that's NOT my intention.

Her Modern Family co-star Sofia Vergara retweeted the tweet in support of Hyland.

Major props to Sarah for telling her story on her own terms.

Citations: Sarah Hyland Opens Up About Her Health & Fluctuating Weight: 'I'm Not in Control of What My Body Looks Like' (People)