The Bold and the Beautiful alum Maitland Ward (ex-Jessica Forrester) just made a career move that is getting mixed reviews. The actress, who came to mainstream fame via her role as Rachel McGuire on the 1990s sitcom Boy Meets World, just released her first adult film.
While some believe that the adult film, titled Drive, will hurt her career, Ward says she believes the exact opposite to be true. She tells TMZ that the experience is already opening doors to many new opportunities and that, rather than being shunned, she's getting pats on the back from Hollywood actresses who agree that adult films allow performers to be authentic.
"I've been opened up to so many more opportunities, because I do this. I think I would be limited if I stuck in just a certain, typecast situation. Now people think of me in a totally new way and are discovering me new," she says, adding, "Why do they have to be mutually exclusive? I think sex and good quality entertainment can be together."
"I read the script, and I was like, "This is really, really well-written,"' Ward told In Touch Weekly. "'This has so many themes in this and just my character is so different than anything I have portrayed before.'"
B&B fans may remember Ward as John and Maggie Forrester's daughter Jessica Forrester, a role she played from 1994 to 1996. The actress landed the part, which was her first ever acting job, when she was just 16 years old. Following her two-year soap opera stint, Ward did a couple of guest roles in series like USA High and Home Improvement before landing the role of Rachel McGuire on Boy Meets World.
Ward's roles have been sporadic since BMW ended in 2000, and she decided to segue into porn earlier this year. As she explains to TMZ, Drive is just the first of more adult-oriented films ahead.
"I'm getting more and there's going to be more taboo stuff to come," she says. "This is just the beginning!"
What do you think about Maitland Ward becoming an adult film star? Do you think that starring in adult films will hurt her career? Or do you agree with the actress that doing porn is a savvy business decision? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
