Luke Benward is still on good terms with his ex-girlfriend Ariel Winter. The “Modern Family” star offered a heartfelt update on where the former couple stands today following the news of their breakup being confirmed.
In a social media statement on May 14, 2026, Winter made it clear that there’s no bad blood between her and Benward, who was in Hallmark’s 2025 movie “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas,” noting that they remain friends and continue to share responsibilities as pet co-parents. The actress also reflected on their relationship, emphasizing that she and Benward still maintain a close friendship despite the fact that their romantic relationship didn’t work out.
Winter Opens Up About Friendship With Benward Today
GettyIt was revealed on May 14 that the longtime couple quietly split in August 2025 following a nearly six year relationship, per PEOPLE.
“They just realized after almost six years that they were better as friends,” an exclusive source told the outlet. They added that Winter still thinks Benward is “the best” and “there’s tons of love still there between them.”
The source continued, “They are still best friends and share the pups, so everything is really good.”
After the news of their breakup dropped, Winter went on social media to confirm that her and Benward remain close.
“He’s still one of my best friends, a great human being and a great pup coparent🫶🏻 just because sometimes people aren’t meant to be doesn’t mean you don’t still appreciate the time spent and retain the friendship you shared🥰 still a big luke fan over here!!!” Winter wrote in response to PEOPLE’s Instagram post sharing the news.
Benward Loved Being Part of Hallmark Channel’s ‘A Grand Ole Opry Christmas’
“Happy thanksgiving yall!” Benward wrote in the caption of his November 2025 Instagram post. “This year I’m so thankful that I got to be apart of this new Hallmark movie “A Grand ole Opry Christmas” with all these incredible people. And to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the incredible @opry.”
He went on to give a shout out to the leads Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha, who played Gentry Wade and Mac in the film, respectively. “There are some incredible songs and performances from some amazing country stars and of course some amazing Christmas moments carried by @nikdeloach and @polahaha. Don’t miss it.”
“Oh and you’ll get to see me do my best 90s era country music star,” Benward added.
HallmarkThe official synopsis for the film reads, “Gentry Wade (DeLoach), daughter of late country music icon Jett Wade – half of the famed duo Winters & Wade – abandoned her dream of a songwriting career and distanced herself from her father’s legacy following his tragic accident 30 years prior. When the Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent Jett at their centennial celebration at Christmas, she’s hesitant to return to the place steeped in bittersweet memories. Encouraged by her good friends, Gentry visits the Opry and, while seated in one of the vaunted venue’s oak church pews, is suddenly transported to 1995. Gentry’s lifelong friend Mac (Polaha) a country music talent manager, finds himself in 1995 as well. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Gentry gets precious time with her father, creative inspiration to finish the song she began decades earlier as a teen and learns surprising answers to questions about her father that have followed her for the last three decades,” per Hallmark Channel.
Benward plays the character of Young Von in “A Grand Ole Opry,” the young version of Von Winters, who is one-half of the famed country music duo in the 1995 flashbacks. He appears alongside Rob Mayes, who plays Jett Wade.
