Former Modern Family co-stars Julie Bowen and Sofía Vergara have repeatedly dismantled persistent tabloid rumors alleging a bitter on-set rivalry during their decade-long run on the hit sitcom.
The media frequently speculated that friction existed between the two actresses due to differences in their industry achievements, as Vergara earned top television salaries while Bowen secured multiple acting awards.
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The fictional tension between their characters, Claire and Gloria, further fueled public speculation that a real-life cold war was occurring behind the scenes.
How They Addressed the Rumors
During a 2016 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Bowen recalled contacting Vergara directly after a tabloid planned to run a story claiming she was icy toward her co-star out of jealousy.
Bowen explained that she asked Vergara how they should respond to the false report, which led Vergara to offer a humorous solution by lending Bowen a purple off-the-shoulder blouse to wear for the televised interview.
“So I email her last night, and we then talk, and I’m like, ‘What should I say?’ Cause we’re friends.
She goes, ‘Please, just borrow my blouse.’ So, I’m borrowing her blouse,” Bowen said.
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The public support continued when Vergara announced the end of her seven-year marriage to Joe Manganiello in 2023, prompting Bowen to publicly cheer her on through social media interactions.
“This is what single and [fire emoji] looks like!” Bowen wrote.
Bowen later elaborated on the bond shared among the former cast members during difficult personal times in an interview with US Weekly.
“She’s got lots of love and support. She never ever hasn’t had close ties with her family and friends,” Bowen said.
The actress emphasized that the tight-knit circle of colleagues rallies together whenever any member faces personal challenges.
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“So when there’s a bump in the road, everybody circles the wagons, and we love her extra hard,” Bowen added.
