Maitland Ward is not interested in labels. Unless she’s the one writing them. In an exclusive and unapologetically candid interview with Where Is The Buzz, the former Boy Meets World actress turned adult entertainment powerhouse gets real about her fluid identity as a performer, the true economics of content creation, the Comic Con boom, and the controversy that tore apart her relationship with a former co-star.
From Disney darling to the queen of erotic disruption, Ward is rewriting the playbook of what it means to move between mainstream and adult platforms. And she’s doing it on her own terms.
“I Don’t Have To Declare Myself One Thing Or The Other”
For most performers, there’s a hard line between Hollywood and hardcore. But for Maitland Ward, that binary has always been wrong.
“Thank you for your thoughtful questions. You know I get asked this a lot and my answer is that I don’t have to declare myself one thing or the other. I think that’s limiting,” Ward tells Where Is The Buzz.
Having starred in everything from White Chicks to multiple award-winning adult films, Ward is clear. Her career trajectory is not a “jump” from one world to another. It’s a deliberate and empowered choice.
“When I started doing adult films I was asked all the time what made me switch from mainstream to p*rn and I’ve always said that I didn’t. I don’t consider myself a porn star or mainstream player. I’m always an actress who chooses projects and genres that interest and excite me.”
She critiques the “crossover” narrative that still clings to adult stars who land Hollywood gigs, citing how even high-profile examples like Chloe Cherry (Euphoria) are often boxed into narrow roles.
“Saying someone has to make the jump to mainstream from p*rn makes the adult industry and what we accomplish and do feel other than. Like mainstream is some life raft that everyone in p*rn is desperate to find a way onto, which feeds into antiquated stereotypes.”
“I do think it’s unfortunate and unfair that most of the time when adult stars ‘crossover’ into mainstream they’re only allowed to play versions of how society continues to see sex workers.”
Ward isn’t just pushing back against that narrative. She’s actively reshaping it. Her latest project? Turning her memoir into a sex-positive streaming series.
“As for where I am now, I’m focusing on packaging my memoir for TV and streaming. I want it to be sex positive and powerful and have people see the industry through a new lens.”
Danielle Fishel Drama: “It Was Like Being Invited To Dinner… And Having Plates Tossed At You”
Of course, no conversation with Maitland Ward in 2025 would be complete without addressing the now-infamous Pod Meets World podcast appearance that turned into a televised trainwreck.
“Oh wow where to start,” she begins, reflecting on the public clash with former Boy Meets World co-star Danielle Fishel.
“The whole podcast was like being invited to dinner by old friends and having plates tossed at you at the end. I find it funny that she accused me of trying to chase ratings for HER show that would serve to benefit HER directly and that she was the one who brought everything up and instigated the drama.”
Ward claims the feud ignited over an offhand comment she had made to co-star Will Friedle years earlier, one she barely remembered.
“She took an offhand, private comment I made to Will 2 1/2 years before and ran with it. I forgot I even said it until she brought it up to be honest.”
The betrayal, according to Ward, cut deep.
“What was more hurtful was that Williams served it up to her. It really just reinforced what I felt about our relationship and it made me sorry that things had gone so downhill.”
“It proved I was right about her negative feelings about me… I think seeing me there on the podcast in front of her set something off in her because the switch was so wild and abrupt.”
Ward denies ever trying to threaten Fishel’s place as “the girl with the boys.”
“She has also always been extraordinarily protective of her place as the only girl with her boys. But I never tried to threaten that.”
While the future of their relationship remains uncertain, Ward says she harbors no resentment.
“Do I wish her ill will? No, not at all. Can we come together and work it out? Maybe.”
But she also doesn’t mince words.
“It proved that when I said in the press before that I think she hates me, I was right.”
From Cosplay Queen to Con Circuit Star
Ward isn’t just a hit online. She’s dominating the convention scene.
Her appearance at Garden State Comic Fest was a major win, grossing nearly $20,000 in one weekend. Even better? A heartwarming White Chicks reunion with co-star Anne Dudek.
“It was so much fun seeing my old costar and being the White Chicks again! And of course I love seeing the fans at comic cons!”
“I started out with my cosplay at the cons many years ago so it was like going back to my roots, except this time doing the full signing experience.”
Now officially ranked the top-grossing mainstream star across regional comic cons in June 2025, Ward is eyeing an even bigger presence.
“I definitely plan on doing more! It was amazing to see how much conventions have evolved since I had gone to them pre-pandemic.”
She’s not blind to the friction between adult stars and family-friendly spaces but she sees progress.
“I don’t think traditional comic cons can really cater to the adult industry just because of the family aspect of the shows, but there are more and more performers who are into cosplay and anime that can really have fun with them.”
“It’s time to stop putting adult performers into one box and let them shine in many different things.”
Maitland vs. The OnlyFans Millionaires: “Show The Receipts”
Ward is as much a businesswoman as she is a performer. And she isn’t afraid to call out what she sees as fantasy over fact in the world of adult content creation.
She recently took issue with fellow adult creator Sophie Rain’s claim of earning $43 million on OnlyFans.
“As a broader issue, I think people fall for a lot of publicity stunts these days that become viral stories.”
“The truth is most girls on OnlyFans make less than $1000 a month. Do I make six figures a month? Yes. Could I make a million dollars a day? No.”
She’s skeptical, not spiteful.
“I’d be interested for her to show the receipts. But nevertheless she’s done a good job with her business and her platform and kiddos to her for the success. So I’m happy she’s doing well either way.”
Still, Ward wants new creators to understand the grind.
“There are a bunch of parameters in place too that wouldn’t allow individuals to tip such grossly excessive amounts and not be flagged. And it definitely could not go on without investigation.”
The MILF Mount Rushmore, According to Maitland
And yes, we had to ask: who are the ultimate MILF queens of 2025?
“Oh that’s a tough one! There are so many great MILF performers. Even though I play MILF roles, I don’t label myself one. I play a lot of different things and I always shy away from labels.”
Still, she gives credit where credit is due:
“I’ll definitely say my regular costar Brandi Love. Also Penny Barber, Cherie Deville, Phoenix Marie.”
“MILFs are the most business savvy. That definitely comes from maturity and longevity in the industry.”
She praises stars like Kendra Lust and Julia Ann for slaying the OnlyFans game without even needing to shoot full scenes.
“I always love working with MILFs because they’re always on time, have their lines down and don’t have the drama younger girls can have. And that’s true in both porn and mainstream.”
“MILFs are always there for a good time and to do a good job!”
