The Big Ask: Sarah Hyland reveals what it's like growing up in a Modern Family Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy in Modern Family. SARAH Hyland has grown up in public. The 23-year-old has been acting since she was five. Her first role was opposite radio shock jock Howard Stern in the movie Private Parts. Hyland also played Brooke Shields' daughter, Maddie, in TV series Lipstick Jungle. Hyland hit paydirt in 2009 when she was signed to play Haley Dunphy in US sitcom Modern Family, which co-stars Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara, Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen. Hyland has stayed grounded despite the hoopla surrounding Modern Family. She has been in a relationship with actor Matt Prokop since 2009. The pair starred in Disney Channel movie Geek Charming in 2011. Q: What have been your favourite episodes of Modern Family? SARAH: That's really hard. Probably the Halloween episode (in season two). I love Halloween and I love dressing up in costumes. Although, my personal opinion: I think my costumes were really too short to ever wear (laughs). Q: How do you feel when you are watching yourself (on the show)? SARAH: I get really quiet. I usually watch it with my boyfriend, and sometimes friends are over. But whenever I'm not on TV I'm like laughing it up, and as soon as I get on, I kind of sit back and get really uncomfortable. I guess I just don't like watching myself. Q: How has Modern Family changed your life? SARAH: For all of us it has definitely got us more recognition. It's great for more people - casting directors, directors, producers - to see more of you just to keep you in mind for other projects. Other than that, I'm just happy I can pay the rent. Q: It sounds like you spent most of your childhood on a film or TV set. SARAH: I did, yes, (but) I don't think I missed out on anything. I went to school at the same time. I got both aspects. I grew up in New York City so I don't know how to ride a bike because we lived in a five-floor walk-up, so you couldn't own one. Q: There are so many great actors and characters on the show. Is there one you would love to be or play? SARAH: I want to be Ty so bad - everything about him (but) with Sophia's body. My boyfriend always knows when I work with Sophia because I come home talking (like Vergara). It's involuntary - just out of nowhere. He's like 'did you work with Sophia today?' Q: Who is the person that you have met that you have been most excited by since joining the show? SARAH: I would probably say either Justin Timberlake or Gabourey Sidibe from Precious. Oh, and anyone from Lost. I met Terry O'Quinn (who played John Locke) and I was like avid. SEE: Modern Family, channel 10, Monday, 7.30pm