Maitland Ward says she's treated with 'more respect' as porn star

Maitland Ward discussed her journey from actress to adult film star and how she is treated with 'more respect' now. 

'I really think people treat me with more respect now, honestly, especially even in Hollywood right now,' the Boy Meets World star, 48, shared in an interview with Fox News.

'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 and stuff,' she added.

'They're just much more receptive to the story,' the star explained. 

Maitland — who recently attended the 2025 AVN Expo — went on to say that she now has the freedom to navigate her career.

'I'm able to create my own brand, my own content, the way I want to create it.'




Maitland Ward, 48, discussed her journey from actress to adult film star and how she is treated with 'more respect' now; pictured on Instagram 





'I really think people treat me with more respect now, honestly, especially even in Hollywood right now,' the Boy Meets World star shared in an interview with Fox News; seen in a 1998 promotional photograph for Boy Meets World

The adult film performer recounted her entry into the industry, noting that she experienced no negative reactions when she started her sex work career around 2019.

'I really got a lot of positivity overall, which shocked everyone I knew.'



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'Everybody thought people were just going to rip me apart, and I was going to be judged and raked across the coals, but I got so much positivity and I think it's because I was so positive about it, and I was so happy about it.' 

Before her entry into the adult film industry, Ward gained recognition for her roles on The Bold and the Beautiful (1994-1996) and Boy Meets World (1998-2000).

Ward, who previously struggled with body image, also told Fox she gained confidence through her work.

'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 shared, adding that porn has given her 'empowerment.'

'On the set of porn sets, I have felt the most comfortable I have ever felt on a set, especially in an intimate situation, because I really feel there's a lot of conversation, and nobody is shy to have the conversation or backs away from it.'

In January Ward proudly flaunted her curves at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas.









'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 and link balita stuff,' she added





Maitland went on to say that she now has the freedom to navigate her career. 'I'm able to create my own brand, my own content, the way I want to create it'





Ward, who previously struggled with body image, also told Fox she gained confidence through her work. '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 shared, adding that porn has given her 'empowerment'





When her mainstream acting career dried up, she eventually made the full leap into adult films in 2019; pictured at the 2025 Adult Video News Awards in Las Vegas







She rubbed shoulders with fellow X-rated performers at the expo, including Angela White, who has been dubbed 'the Meryl Streep of porn' for her award-winning performances.

OnlyFans sensation Lily Phillips - who went viral for bedding 100 men in a single night - was also in attendance, as was her rival Bonnie Blue.

Maitland looked completely in her element as she posed up a storm in a plunging black leotard that showed off her cleavage.

Maitland got her big break in acting playing Jessica Forrester on The Bold and The Beautiful.