Was 'Modern Family' Star Sarah Hyland's NSFW Photo Over the Line?
"Modern Family" star Sarah Hyland set off a firestorm in her Instagram feed after a fun photo booth session with her fiancé and some friends turned into a heated debate by fans over the #MeToo movement. It all started with a photo Hyland posted Monday to Instagram, apparently from a wedding she attended with Wells Adams over the weekend.
"We take wedding photo booths very seriously... #mcm to the men who love and treat their ladies like queens."
The Picture Creates Backlash
The photo booth shot was definitely NSFW, and showed Sarah and two female friends taking a very handsy shot with their significant others. The 28-year-old star stuck out her tongue for the camera while Adams grabbed himself a liberal handful. The photo was clearly taken in fun, and everyone in the picture appears to be a consenting and willing participant.
However, some fans thought it sent the wrong message, deeming the shot explicitly inappropriate.
"This is completely sick. Strong #metoo vibes. What is it with LA and everyone being a creep?" one person commented.
Another wrote, "Like queens = like objects? The dissolution of patriarchal gender relations can't come soon enough."
The backlash apparently got out of control, and Hyland appears to have deleted the comments from a specifically nasty commenter.
Fans Come to Her Defense
Luckily scores of fans felt people were being highly critical of Hyland's photo and jumped to her defense.
"Some people’s need to have an outrageous opinion online without making an actual point is a lot more problematic than this photo," one person wrote.
Another commented, "Do you even know what the Metoo campaign was about, these women are consenting to this photo. Know the difference."
One woman couldn't understand the big deal, stating, "Geez people. If my fiance wants to grab my boobs, by all means."
Sarah & Wells
Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams got engaged earlier this year, and have been showering each other with love ever since. During an Emmy Awards party back in September, the "Modern Family" star reflected on how much they've grown.
"A little over two years ago we had our first date at this #emmys party. Now at our third time attending, we’re engaged. It’s amazing how fast time flies when you meet your forever person. My only regret is that we have ZERO pictures from the night that changed my life. I love you to Pluto and back."
When's the Wedding?!
Even though they announced the engagement in July, there has been no official wedding date set.
Wells has said there will definitely be some time to plan, and spoke on the nuptials during a podcast with Brandi Cyrus.
" It will be, like, well over a year. I mean, we haven't figured out anything, you know? Phase 1 was, get engaged. We're still in Phase 1."
Hyland may be fast-tracking her fiancé and admitted that she's been immersing herself in bridal magazines. "While Wells goes and does the rehearsal part of this wedding that we’re at ... I’m totally not lying in bed stalking wedding and bridal Instagram accounts while watching 'Say Yes to the Dress'," she admitted on social media.
Hyland also hinted at the stresses of planning a wedding during the couple's Halloween post, which featured her as David Bowie and Wells as Freddie Mercury.
The star slyly wrote, "Under Pressure" to start wedding planning. It's unclear if they'll have a photobooth.
Support During Hospitalization
Sarah Hyland grew closer with her fiancé after she was hospitalized earlier this year and Wells Adams stayed by her side throughout the entire process. Back in June, Hyland spent 4 days in the hospital after having trouble breathing. She later explained to fans what had happened.
"Thank you guys who have been sending well wishes while I was in the hospital. Long story short, I went in because I was feeling like I was being choked from whatever’s in the house. And then I was like, ‘Maybe it’s just a coincidence, maybe there’s something actually medically wrong with me."
The "Modern Family" star said she "couldn't breathe" and had "chest pains." Unfortunately, she said doctors had no "scientific explanation" for what was going on, even after “They ran multiple tests, multiple times," and determined, "there’s nothing physically wrong with me."
Hyland has been in and out of the hospital many times over the years, as she suffers from kidney dysplasia and endometriosis, as well as having undergone two kidney transplants.
What She'll Miss About 'Modern Family'
With the 11th and final Season of "Modern Family" underway, Hyland is wrapping up her role of Haley Dunphy and recently revealed what she'll miss the most about the ABC series.
"I will probably miss the people the most, from Modern,” she said in a sit-down with PEOPLE. "Our crew is amazing and, of course, I love our cast, they are very special people."
Hyland also spoke about how much of her life has been wrapped up in "Modern Family," which first premiered in 2009.
"After this is done, I will be turning 30. I started playing Haley when I was 18, so it’s really all of my 20s that have been spent in the Dunphy house. I’m really excited to go out and branch out and do other things."
