Adult content creator Maitland Ward slams ‘deeply troubling’ Euphoria storyline involving Sydney Sweeney
Ever since the first episode of the latest season of Euphoria premiered last month, HBO viewers have found themselves debating some of the show's more X-rated moments.
The third season sees Sydney Sweeney's character, Cassie Howard, try her hand at adult content creation and enter the world of OnlyFans to make a little extra cash for her upcoming wedding with Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi.
Arguably, the two most shocking scenes see Cassie engage in 'age-play' as well as 'pup play', which prompted an avalanche of avalanche from viewers online.
But it’s not just Euphoria fans who are unhappy with the show’s direction, as former actor and real-life OnlyFans creator Maitland Ward has now criticised the series for its depiction of the platform.
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"In the climate we’re in, that they dressed her up as a baby to make pornographic OnlyFans content was beyond troubling," Ward told Variety, referring to the decision to have Cassie take part in an age-play photoshoot.
"[It] again serves to perpetuate stereotypes that sex workers have no moral compass and that they will do anything for money," she continued.
"To take someone so traditionally blonde and beautiful with the biggest boobs and dress her up as a dog and baby is really bizarre, but at the same time so expected in Hollywood."
Ward, who has appeared in multiple adult films since entering the industry in 2019, also accused the show of linking sex work with trafficking.
"There’s always this untrue stigma that somehow sex work is synonymous with sex trafficking and abuse. And they just said, let’s make a joke of it," she said.
"That is so funny. I’m not laughing."
Ward’s comments come after Sweeney’s character appeared in another nude scene in the latest episode, going to extreme lengths to film X-rated fetish content, such as sucking her own toes and going fully topless in front of a client.
She also does her own version of 'ASMR' by rubbing her cleavage on the microphone, before putting it down there, and asking: "Do you want to hear my p***y?"
There's also the Godzilla-style scene of Cassie as a giant, breaking the glass on buildings with her breasts.
Ward is far from the only creator to criticise how Euphoria depicts sex work, as fellow OnlyFans creator Megan Prescott has also spoken out about the show’s storylines.
Prescott, 34, who played Katie Fitch in the double BAFTA-winning teen drama Skins, told Mashable she has yet to see a 'good portrayal' of sex work or online sex work on television.
"I think there is such a snobbery in the world in general around sex work. For some reason, we think that they [sex workers] don't know their own industry better than anyone else," she claimed.
Prescott also noted that many mainstream TV shows featuring OnlyFans creators and sex workers do not involve real-life sex workers as consultants.
While it’s unclear whether that applies to Euphoria, cast member Chloe Cherry, who plays Faye, has spoken openly about her previous work in adult films.
Even so, some viewers feel the storylines still fall short when it comes to accurately representing the industry.
Referring to Sweeney’s controversial scene, Prescott told the outlet: "We've just had someone write a show about their fantasy of a type of sex work, and in doing that, the general public will be like, 'Oh my god. On OnlyFans, you can dress up as a baby. That's disgusting,' which is just not accurate."
As noted by the publication, OnlyFans' Acceptable Use Policy prohibits any 'illegal activity, including actual, claimed, or role-played: exploitation, abuse, or harm of individuals under the age of 18'.
So the controversial scene likely would not have been allowed on the real platform.
Tyla has reached out to HBO for comment.
Topics: Euphoria, TV And Film, Sydney Sweeney, Celebrity
Rhiannon Ingle