Former Disney darling Maitland Ward, known for her role in "Boy Meets World," is speaking out against Sydney Sweeney's depiction of an OnlyFans model in the third season of HBO's hit series "Euphoria." The 49-year-old actress, who has successfully transitioned to adult films and the OnlyFans platform herself, believes the show crossed a line in its portrayal of sex work.
During a conversation with TMZ, Ward expressed her discomfort with scenes featuring Sweeney's character, Cassie, engaging in suggestive behavior while styled in pigtails and a pacifier. "There's all sorts of stuff that you can't do," Ward shared. "The whole child-baby thing is so disgusting … You just can't go into that whole underage thing like that." She argued that the scenes not only violated OnlyFans guidelines but also risked getting creators kicked off the platform.
“This show is treating sex work like a circus act, a freak show,” Ward declared, emphasizing her disapproval of the portrayal.
Ward's critique centers on the show's depiction of OnlyFans creators as bizarre and comedic, rather than celebrating their entrepreneurial spirit. She feels the show paints an unfair and harmful picture of those who work hard to build their brands on the platform. "It's saying how weird and creepy they are," she added, noting the disservice this does to genuine creators.
In "Euphoria," Sweeney's character uses OnlyFans to support herself after discovering her husband's financial ruin. The storyline sees her dressed in a variety of provocative costumes, including a baby outfit and a dog, which Ward argues fuels harmful stereotypes about sex workers.
Ward's journey from a child star to an adult film actress has been unique, and she recently shared more about her experiences in "Hollywood Demons," an Investigation Discovery series. She reflected on her early days in Hollywood, describing the environment as a "factory" that shaped young actors into marketable products.
Despite initial concerns about backlash when she transitioned to adult films, Ward found unexpected support. "I didn’t get anybody coming out hating me for it," she commented, noting the positive reception she received for embracing her new career path.
Ward's candid remarks highlight the ongoing dialogue about the portrayal of sex work in media and its real-world implications, sparking conversation about the responsibilities creators and networks have in representing diverse professions.