Six years ago, Maitland Ward, a former Disney sensation, took her initial tentative steps into the realm of pornography, and since then, she hasn't glanced over her shoulder in regret. In an exclusive conversation with Fox News Digital, the actress who rose to fame portraying Rachel McQuire in the later chapters of the beloved '90s television series "Boy Meets World," opened her heart about her transformation from a child star to an adult film icon and the empowerment she still feels to this very day.
"I genuinely believe people, especially in Hollywood, treat me with more respect now," Ward confessed candidly. "As I pitch my memoir for a television adaptation and engage in discussions with various individuals, I encounter a profound sense of respect and positivity towards my journey. Younger generations and diverse figures in Hollywood are particularly receptive to my story. I'm enveloped in positivity, enabling me to forge my unique brand and content precisely as I envision it."
She further elaborated on her decision to venture into pornography, adding, "I didn't encounter anyone who harbored hatred towards me for this choice. Instead, I was met with an overwhelming surge of positivity, which astonished everyone who knew me. People anticipated a deluge of criticism and harsh judgment, assuming I'd be torn apart by society's scrutiny. However, I received an abundance of positivity, which I believe stemmed from my own positive and joyful outlook on the decision."
Ward, who initially captivated audiences as Jessica Forrester in "The Bold and the Beautiful" from 1994 to 1996, made quite a splash when she joined the cast of "Boy Meets World" in the late '90s.
"I was warmly embraced; they treated me with the utmost kindness," Ward revealed to Fox News Digital in 2022. "Stepping into an already seamlessly functioning set, where everyone had grown up together amidst the show's magic, was an unusual experience. Everyone was well-established, knowing exactly how to collaborate seamlessly. As I joined for the college years segment, I was filled with anxiety. Yet, I was warmly welcomed... and I cherished every moment on the show."
However, since bidding farewell to the series, Ward has carved a niche for herself in an unconventional industry: porn. "I'm producing full-length films, engaging in projects that ignite my passion," she shared. "Collaborating with a female director who has been nothing short of extraordinary has been incredible. Often, people are astonished to see two women creating these extended, erotic pornographic masterpieces. And I find that truly unique and special."
Through her endeavors in the adult film world, Ward, who once grappled with body image issues, discovered an abundant sense of self-assurance. "To stand naked, confident in my body and myself, was unthinkable before," Ward confessed. "Porn has bestowed upon me this empowerment, the courage to embrace my skin, to create projects of my choosing with pride, to defy conventional norms and venture into uncharted territories that others have shied away from. Achieving success in this has boosted my confidence exponentially, for I've accomplished something unparalleled."
"On porn sets, I've felt more at ease than ever, especially in intimate scenes," she added. "There's an abundance of open dialogue, and no one hesitates to engage or retreat from these conversations."
This isn't the first instance where Ward has spoken openly about her career trajectory. In 2022, upon releasing her memoir, "Rated X: How Porn Liberated Me from Hollywood," she told Fox News Digital that porn allowed her to embrace her "authentic self."
"I believe it's an empowering narrative for women, and indeed everyone," Ward emphasized at the time. "It's about living truthfully and disregarding societal pressures. For a long time, Hollywood molded me into a certain image. The industry sought to confine me. I reached a point where I craved authenticity. I am now my true self. People, especially women, often face attempts to stereotype them. Breaking free has been liberating for me. I think this resonates with anyone across industries. My story might just be a tad more scandalous."
Currently, Ward, who recently found herself in a heated discussion with former "Boy Meets World" costars during a "Pod Meets World" podcast appearance, focuses on positivity, using her experiences as a learning journey.
"In my younger days, I was incredibly insecure," she reminisced. "Did I look sexy enough? Was I slim enough? Was I good enough, pretty enough? Looking back at those photos, I marvel at their beauty, whereas then, I deemed them horrendous. I was so harsh on myself."
"I wish my younger self knew she possessed strength and could harness it for her benefit, autonomy, and self-assertion," she concluded. "But honestly, one must live through the journey for it to hold true meaning."
