Former Disney star Maitland Ward has expressed displeasure with Sydney Sweeney’s portrayal of an OnlyFans model in the third season of the series ‘Euphoria.’ In an interview with TMZ, the 49-year-old actress, who is also an adult film actress and OnlyFans creator, criticized the decision to depict Cassie, Sweeney’s character, in a manner she finds distasteful. Particularly, Ward took issue with scenes featuring Cassie wearing a pacifier, pigtails, and sheer clothing in suggestive poses.
Ward emphasized the unacceptable nature of these portrayals, stating, “The whole child-baby thing is so disgusting… You just can’t go into that whole underage thing like that.” She noted that while an adult might mimic childlike behavior playfully, the show’s execution was inappropriate. Ward cited OnlyFans’ guidelines which aim to prevent any association with pedophilia in content.
“You don’t want pedophilia anywhere near pornography,” Ward said, mentioning potential consequences for creators who violate these guidelines on the platform.
In the storyline, Sweeney’s character turns to OnlyFans initially to pay for her wedding and later due to financial strain when she discovers her new husband, Nate Jacobs, owes significant debts. The show displays her in various outfits and situations aimed at her subscribers, including dressing as a baby and dog, jumping rope in revealing clothes, and other provocative acts.
Ward believes the series unfairly mocks OnlyFans creators. She argues, “It’s saying how weird and creepy they are.” She highlighted that many OnlyFans creators work hard daily to build their brands, and the show’s take is misleading.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Ward reiterated her concerns, saying the representation reduces sex work to a spectacle. “This show is treating sex work like a circus act, a freak show,” Ward stated, asserting that such depictions reinforce harmful stereotypes about sex workers.
Ward shared her experiences as a former child actress, highlighting a feeling of being molded by studios to fit public expectations. Her reflections on her earlier career contrasted with her current work, where she claims to find more respect within Hollywood.
After transitioning to adult films, which she began starring in seven years ago, Ward shared that she received unexpected positivity instead of backlash. Ward’s decision to embrace adult entertainment stemmed from a desire for greater professional respect and autonomy.