Maitland Ward, who rose to fame as Rachel McGuire on the hit Disney-era sitcom Boy Meets World, has revealed that her decision to move into the adult entertainment industry has brought her unprecedented financial success and personal freedom.
Now 45, Ward says the move was never about chasing money – even though her earnings have far surpassed her Hollywood paychecks.
Ward became a familiar face to audiences in the late 1990s and early 2000s through Boy Meets World, one of Disney’s most popular shows of the era.
After stepping away from mainstream acting, she gradually began sharing more provocative content online, which ultimately led her down a very different career path.
Over the past several years, Ward transitioned fully into adult film acting, working with major adult platforms and building a strong direct-to-fan presence online.
Adult Career Brings Major Financial Gains
In her memoir Rated X, Ward explains that while she earned good money during her years in television and film, it pales in comparison to what she makes today.
She says her current income can be up to 10 times higher than what she earned in Hollywood.
A significant portion comes from OnlyFans, where she reportedly brings in six figures per month.
In addition, she earns five figures monthly from a sex toy partnership and receives another six-figure annual payment through a contract with adult site Deeper.
Ward joins a growing list of adult performers who have used the industry to achieve financial security, with some (like Riley Reid) openly crediting their careers for allowing them to purchase multi-million-dollar homes.
Control and Creative Freedom Drove the Decision
Despite the financial upside, Ward insists money was never the primary motivation behind her career shift.
Instead, she was drawn to the control and autonomy that adult content creation offered.
She says the appeal was being able to decide exactly what she shared, how it was produced, and how it was distributed – something she never fully experienced in traditional acting.
“I wanted total control over what comes in and what goes out,” Ward explains, via Indy100, adding that she initially focused on authenticity rather than monetization.
How It All Started Online
Ward’s transition began after she posted risqué photos on social media platforms, many of which were removed.
Fans then encouraged her to launch a Patreon account, which quickly proved successful.
Within the first week, she attracted roughly 2,800 subscribers paying anywhere from $15 to $300 per month.
From there, her online presence expanded rapidly, eventually leading her to OnlyFans and adult film projects.
A More Liberated Chapter
Beyond the financial rewards, Ward says her new career has made her feel more confident and liberated.
She describes the shift as empowering, allowing her to embrace her identity on her own terms – something she says was harder to achieve within the constraints of Hollywood.