Modern Family star Sarah Hyland has already promised some “super sexy” surprises for the upcoming season of Love Island USA.
With many familiar faces returning to the show – including UK contestant Maura Higgins, who will be presenting some behind-the-scenes gossip for the series – Sarah is set to be on hosting duties for a scorching summer of love.
She joins a star-studded cast after taking over from ex-host Arielle Vandenberg, including commentator Iain Stirling.
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Even Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix is set for a guest appearance on the dating show.
But what about Sarah’s life away from the show? She’s been through a lot – including a kidney transplant and a domestic abuse battle.
Disney fame
(Image: Getty Images North America)
Sarah shot to fame playing Haley Dunphy in ABC sitcom Modern Family, but she also had plenty of roles in various Disney projects.
She appeared in the TV movie adaptation of the musical Annie in 1999, along with starring in the Disney original movie Geek Charming.
She’s even starred in shows like The Muppets, Shadowhunters and the 2014 flick Vampire Academy.
Health battle
(Image: @wellsadams/Instagram)
The path forward hasn’t always been straightforward for Sarah.
Battling a chronic kidney condition known as kidney dysplasia, her health took a turn for the worst five years into Modern Family filming. She lost weight and was left in severe pain – and was totally exhausted.
When she was 21, she went under the knife for her first kidney transplant, donated by her father. But sadly, her body rejected the organ four years later – leaving her on dialysis three times a week and suffering swelling in her body.
Later, her brother proved to be a match and donated his kidney to Sarah, but it wasn’t easy.
She said: “My dad’s kidney had already failed at that point. I was on dialysis. What if this happens again? What do I do? That’s where I felt suicidal. This is just hard for me to do anymore. And it would just be easier for everyone else too.”
Sarah explained on the Quitters podcast: “Twenty-seven years of almost always being in pain… I don’t think I’ve gone more than one or two years without being hospitalised.
(Image: Casey Durkin/Peacock via Getty Images)
“I don’t like to victimise myself. I don’t like other people to victimise me… I had almost 27 years of putting on a show, whether it was on Broadway or in my family living room.”
But thankfully she came through the other side and is “proud” of herself for making it through.
Sarah lost so much weight in her face after coming off her medications that rumours began to circulate that she underwent buccal fat removal.
Sarah also suffers from endometriosis, which she treated with laparoscopic surgery; in total, she’s undergone 16 operations to improve her overall health.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Ill-fated co-star romance
(Image: WireImage)
Things all seemed rosy when Sarah fell for her Geek Charming co-star Matt Prokop.
High School Musical 3 star Matt even starred in an episode of Modern Family back in 2012 alongside Sarah, playing Ethan.
But that’s where the rose-tinted glasses come off, as Sarah filed a permanent restraining order against the actor after five years together.
Court documents obtained by TMZ accused Prokop of “choking” Sarah while calling her a “c***”, with her telling the court: “His grip was so tight that I could not breathe or speak. I was scared and in fear for my life.”
She claims he also threatened to burn her house down and kidnap her dog.
After they broke up, Matt allegedly “relentlessly bombarded [her] with vile, threatening and emotionally disturbing texts and voicemails including his own suicide threats.”
The restraining order was granted, and Sarah went on to find love with her Vampire Academy co-star Dominic Sherwood from 2015 until 2017, while Matt’s acting career ended in 2013 after the allegations came to light.
Loved up
(Image: Getty Images for FOX)
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Now Sarah is happily married to her very own prince charming – The Bachelorette star Wells Adams.
The pair announced their engagement in 2019 and bought a home together in Los Angeles shortly after.
In 2022 the pair finally tied the knot in the dreamy setting of a California vineyard, with Sarah’s Modern Family co-stars in attendance.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
