Six years ago, former Disney star Maitland Ward made a bold pivot from mainstream acting to the world of adult entertainment—a decision that has redefined her career and personal identity. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Ward, best known for her role as Rachel McQuire on the ‘90s hit Boy Meets World, reflected on her journey and the empowerment she’s found in her new career.
Embracing a New Identity
“I really think people treat me with more respect now, honestly, especially even in Hollywood right now,” Ward explained. “I’m pitching my memoir into a TV format and talking with people. They’re so respectful, and they’re so positive about my story, especially younger people and different people that I speak to in Hollywood. I’m able to create my own brand, my own content, the way I want to create it.”
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Ward’s transition into pornography has allowed her to step away from the constraints of traditional Hollywood and forge her own path. Rather than being pigeonholed by the roles and expectations of her past, she now has the freedom to create full-length films on her own terms. “I’m creating full-length movies,” she said. “I work with a female director, who has been amazing. I think people are always surprised by that, that two women are creating these long erotic, pornographic art pieces. And I think that’s really special.”
Empowerment Through Adult Entertainment
For Ward, the shift to adult entertainment wasn’t just about changing genres—it was about personal liberation. Struggling with body image in her younger years, she found that working in adult films offered her an unexpected boost in confidence. “Just to be naked by myself and be confident in my body and myself, I would never have been able to do that before,” she admitted. “Porn has really given that to me, that empowerment—to be able to stand in my own skin, to create projects that I want to create and be proud of.”
Ward described her experience on adult sets as remarkably comfortable and intimate. “On the set of porn, I have felt the most comfortable I have ever felt, especially in an intimate situation, because there’s a lot of conversation and nobody is shy to have it,” she said. This openness, she believes, is a key ingredient to her success and the creative freedom she now enjoys.
Shattering Old Stereotypes
Reflecting on her early career, Ward recalled her positive experience on Boy Meets World, where she was welcomed and supported by her co-stars. “I was received very well; they were very nice to me,” she noted. However, the restrictive nature of Hollywood eventually left her feeling confined. In her memoir, Rated X: How Porn Liberated Me from Hollywood, she detailed how the industry tried to keep her in a box—a box she ultimately chose to break free from.
“I reached a point where I just wanted to do my own thing. I’m now my authentic self,” Ward asserted. Her candid admission of the challenges she faced—both on and off screen—has resonated with many, particularly women who have felt limited by the traditional expectations of the entertainment world.
A Positive Response
Despite fears that her move into pornography would result in public backlash, Ward was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reaction. “I didn’t get anybody coming out hating me for it or anything,” she said. Instead, she encountered respect and support from a diverse audience, including many younger fans who see her as a trailblazer. “I really got a lot of positivity overall, which shocked everyone I knew. Everybody thought people were just going to rip me apart, but I got so much positivity.”
Looking to the Future
Today, Ward remains focused on using her platform to empower others and challenge outdated norms. She recently engaged in a heated discussion with former Boy Meets World co-stars during the Pod Meets World podcast—a reminder that her past still follows her, even as she forges a new path. “I think it’s an empowering story for women and everyone really,” she remarked. “It’s about living your truth and not listening to what everyone is telling you to do.”
Ward’s journey from Disney starlet to adult film actress is more than a career change; it’s a testament to the power of embracing one’s true self. By choosing to pursue what she loves, despite the risk of scandal, she has opened the door for others to consider their own definitions of success and empowerment.
Conclusion
Maitland Ward’s transition into adult entertainment stands as a bold statement against the limitations imposed by traditional Hollywood. Through her work, she not only redefines her own identity but also champions a broader message of liberation and self-acceptance. In a world quick to judge, Ward’s unapologetic authenticity serves as an inspiring reminder that true empowerment comes from living one’s truth—no matter how unconventional that truth may be.
