Girl Meets Porn: The Maitland Ward Interview
If the early success of her movie Drive is any indication, Maitland Ward could be the next big thing in porn! We chatted with the onetime Boy Meets World star in this new interview, covering her decision to move to porn, her reaction to the buzz she’s generated, and much more.
What made you decide to enter the porn world?
I know to many it seems like I popped on the scene and just went full throttle. But it’s actually been a slower and longer progression for me. I started a Patreon account about 18 months ago, after fans had urged me to. It blew up to the number one adult creator page literally overnight. I really did it to so more nudes and solo stuff. Playboy style stuff and cosplay. But as I progressed with showing my body and doing the solo stuff, I knew I wanted more. But just for my audience, but for me authentically on my personal journey. I started off doing scenes for my subscribers with girls. I loved it. I love girls. I then wanted to go the whole way and explore with men in scenes. Thankfully I met Isiah Maxwell and Danny Mountain during this time and I shot consistently throughout the year with them for my sites. I wouldn’t be the performer I am today of I hadn’t gone down that road first. It’s only in the last months that I’ve gone professional. Vixen reach out to me and I had always wanted to work with them too, because their product is so beautiful and has such quality. So I did Blacked and had an amazing experience.
Tell us about filming Drive and your very first porn scene.
Drive came about 2 days after my Blacked scene dropped. Something happened when they needed to find a new co-star for it. They needed a lead who could act. And fate intervened and they sent me the script. I was immediately blown away. I’m like this isn’t regular porn. This is in depth, beautifully written, jaw-dropping filmmaking. It’s always been a vision of mine to have well written, acted and directed product that has the hottest sex, and then fell into my lap. Kayden Kross and I met at a Starbucks that afternoon and an hour later we were all in.
Did you receive backlash from anyone after announcing your career change?
I’m actually surprised and a little taken aback by all the positive press and feedback. Sure there are shocking headlines out there but for the most part people are applauding me for doing what I do (and I genuinely love performing and sex), not caring who judges me and working to build a bridge in any way between mainstream and porn. What even surprised me more is how many women reached out to me to offer their support. so, I’d say generally no. Of course you have the haters, but I really do see that the reputation of porn and adult entertainment is shifting.
Is acting in porn similar to acting in mainstream TV/movies? How is it different?
I’ve been lucky to be on such high quality sets so far, so I’ve seen very little difference. They feel very much like mainstream film sets where I’m working with super talented people. Of course there’s actual sex, which makes it different than just having to make the sex look real. Which is so much better!
I’d say it’s especially different for me that’s background is heavy in comedy, so me playing these dark, sensual, twisted roles is like nothing I’ve done in mainstream. I love these kind of characters, and probably wouldn’t be cast as this type in Hollywood because of my comedy background. Porn is allowing new the freedoms to take my art in a new direction.
Were you previously a porn fan?
Of course. Isn’t everyone? Everyone watches even though they won’t admit it. I was a huge fan of Tori Black. She’s who drew me first to the Vixen brand. I thought that that’s the kind of product I want to make. And now knowing Kayden directed some of my favorite scenes is mind blowing.
Were you surprised at how much press attention your jump to porn has generated?
Yes, I was floored. I was on Newsweek and Wall Street Journal! But all the coverage from Intouch to Toofab to TMZ was all done with respect and genuine interest. I got shock and awe headlines but it also was a feeling of wow this is new and different. I’m not one of these starlets who makes a bad sex tape just to get a fame and attention. i genuinely love performing and I hope that shows in my work.
You got to star in Drive with the wildly popular Angela White – tell us about working with her!
She is one of the most beautiful human beings inside and out. She’s so talented, and a really good actress. We played so well off of each other and I think that really comes off in our scenes. She is such an adult superstar, so I didn’t know how she’d react to me exactly. She welcomed me with such open arms and was there for me and with me every step of the way. I can’t say enough nice things.
What stars or directors do you hope to work with in the future?
Well, Tori! Actually there are so many I want to work with. I’d love to do something with Abigail Mac or Abella Danger. Mick Blue. Small Hands. I’m great friends with Desiree Dulce so we would have a blast doing a pro scene. I actually have a few things coming up where I’m working with people I’ve had on my list. So stay tuned.
Would you ever consider starring in a porn parody of your most famous mainstream roles?
Yes I love parodies! I do a lot of cosplay ones for my subscribers on onlyfans and Patreon. It would be weird kind of though. Playing myself like that, but if it’s well crafted it could be fun and a nod to the audience.
Who are your favorite cosplay characters and why?
I’m a big Star Wars and Wonder Woman geek. I have been since practically the womb, so anything there. But I really found I love Red Sonja. I just love how fierce and strong — and of course red she is. I think I’d love to make a big parody of that. I’ve played Poison Ivy a lot and I always enjoy it. Even though everyone has done it, it never is not fun for me. I embrace her because she’s bad but deliciously so. My favorite ever was Sexpot Barb from stranger things. I did a shoot where she went to the Upside Down and turned into the wild and sexual Sexpot Barb. I had the whole Christmas lights wall set up in a hotel room. We had a fog machine which set off the fire alarms and we almost got kicked out.
Your social media accounts are wildly popular. What are some of the most interesting or memorable fan interactions you’ve had on there?
When my public Snapchat really started to take off because of my sexy cosplay and pics, I had people at comic con coming up to me that for once didn’t say they knew me from boy meets world or white chicks or even my long run on the soap. They said hey I know you from Snapchat! That’s the first time I knew things were really shifting yon a new direction for me. And I loved it. I’m always blown away by how much the fans have supported me throughout this long journey. I love it when people say you know, you’re making fantasies of my youth come true.
On Instagram, you describe yourself as a “daredevil.” Could you elaborate on that?
Well, I like to shock people. I like to push boundaries and limits. Especially in porn now. I think everybody has a preconceived idea that as a mainstream actress I’ll be soft or not go hardcore. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m already thinking of the next boundaries I can push and I’m all in. I would be bored if I wasn’t pushing limits.
Plus, I walked down a huge intersection one afternoon only in Bodypaint for all to see. Stuff like that.
What do you do in your free time?
I’m a real athlete, so I spin and do a lot of yoga. And I love just spending evenings in to relax with Netflix and a glass of wine. I love video games, but nothing too violent. Kingdom Hearts is more my kind of thing. I love animals and love do that kind of charity work. I have two dogs that are my children.
Can you tell us about any future projects that are coming up for you?
I can’t say specifics yet, but I’m in the works with some cool people and great feature style products. I hope to try and develop some sort of a streaming series too. Something that is mainstream quality with hot sex. I don’t think they have to be mutually exclusive. And now that I’ve done Drive, I know it’s a foreseeable possibility.
Browse Maitland Ward porn videos here.
