Maitland Ward Credits ‘Respect’ To Adult Film Career

Maitland Ward is doubling down on her decision to leave Hollywood behind, claiming her adult film career has brought her more positives than the entertainment industry ever did.

Despite the controversy surrounding her career shift, the actress has no regrets. Her statement follows a clash with former co-stars Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Rider Strong, where she accused them of staging a heated podcast confrontation to reignite old tensions.

Maitland Ward transitioned into the adult industry six years ago and is not holding back regarding her unconventional career shift.

The former Disney star revealed that her transition into adult entertainment has changed how people treat her. In her words:

“I really think people treat me with more respect now, honestly, especially even in Hollywood right now.”

Ward, who is in the process of developing a TV adaptation of her memoir, shared that Hollywood insiders have been surprisingly “respectful, and they’re so positive about my story.” She believes younger generations and industry professionals now view her story with a fresh perspective.

While speaking with Fox NewsWard disclosed that she struggled with body image issues earlier in her career, but stepping into the adult industry changed that completely.

She admitted, “Just to be naked by myself and be confident in my body and myself, I would never have been able to do that (before).” Ward added that adult film sets are where she feels “the most comfortable” because of the open communication and professionalism encouraged in that environment.

While some may have expected her Hollywood career to follow a more conventional path, Ward has carved out her own lane in an industry that continues to surprise many.

The 48-year-old has fully embraced her new career, revealing that she is not just acting but also creating and producing full-length films. She takes great pride in working alongside a female director, noting:

“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.”

Rather than facing backlash for her career shift, Ward admitted that she and those around her initially expected harsh criticism, but the reception has been surprisingly supportive. Ward believes the reason is “because I was so positive about it, and I was so happy about it.”

Ward is no stranger to speaking her truth, and her latest revelation proves she has no regrets about her unconventional career shift.

The former mainstream actress, who released her memoir ‘Rated X: How Porn Liberated Me” from Hollywood in 2022, has long credited the adult film industry with helping her step into her “authentic self.”

Ward previously told Fox News Digital that joining the world of adult entertainment was more than just a career move, it was an act of self-liberation.

For years, Ward felt confined by the rigid expectations of Hollywood, where she says she was forced into a specific mold. Eventually, she chose to carve her own path, rejecting the industry’s constraints.

“There are always going to be people who try to pigeonhole you, especially as a woman. For me to break out has been so liberating. My story just happens to be a little more scandalous,” she added.

Ward is not just navigating newfound respect in Hollywood, she is also dodging drama with her former “Boy Meets World” co-stars.

She clashed with Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Rider Strong during an appearance on the “Pod Meets World” podcast, but she insists the tense confrontation was not spontaneous.

The Blast reports that Ward believes the emotional moment was orchestrated to catch her off guard. She found it suspicious that Fishel never mentioned their past issues in the conversation but chose to bring them up at the very end of the episode.

“She wanted to try to rattle me, and she did,” Ward stated. The actress noted that she has had no contact with her former castmates since and questioned why she was invited if drama was not the goal.

After her confrontation with Fishel, Ward shared that she was rethinking friendships, especially with Friedle. The tense situation has her wondering if Friedle was even on her side, admitting, “I can’t trust that he would ever watch out for me in a situation or have my back.”

She revealed that Friedle had long promised her a fun and nostalgic podcast appearance, making her believe it was an opportunity to reconnect. However, after the tense exchange, Ward is left questioning whether the invitation was sincere or if she was set up for drama.

“Will had presented this show to me before like it would be so much fun. We’re going to talk about all the times. The fans are going to love it. We finally get into your season,” she shared.

For Maitland Ward, her career shift is not just about reinvention but about finally feeling in control of her narrative.