LOS ANGELES — Maitland Ward has a timeless stardom that transcends legacy with larger-than-life grandeur. As the first performer to ever grace the entire cover of XBIZ magazine, she now ascends to even greater heights as host of the XBIZ Awards, the adult industry’s biggest night, presented by ManyVids on Jan. 9 at the historic Hollywood Palladium.
“I am beyond thrilled and honored that I’m hosting the XBIZ Awards this year,” Ward enthused. “This return to in-person events is not only exciting because it highlights and celebrates the immense talents of our industry, but it also serves to showcase them to the mainstream industry right in the heart of Hollywood.”
From an early age, L.A. native Ward was active in theater and devoted to her craft, landing recurring television roles in popular ‘90s soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” and iconic coming-of-age series “Boy Meets World.” She even graced the silver screen in the Wayans Brothers comedy flick “White Chicks,” then began writing scripts and screenplays with years spent in New York City workshops and UCLA studies.
By the 2010s, Ward was ready for a fresh chapter; feeling more self-assured than ever before, she started dabbling in sexy cosplay. To her surprise, a fast-growing audience of avid geeks, adult entertainment fans and tabloids flocked to her every move with increasing interest, as she pushed the limits at mainstream conventions and developed an increasingly captivating presence.
With publicists and so-called career experts warning her against such a pivot to initially just scantily-clad, then nude, then hardcore, she nonetheless charged forward with devil-may-care positivity. And it paid off, because her fan base skyrocketed with an insatiable appetite for all things sexy.
As buzz grew, she was approached by Vixen Media Group, leading to her first-ever major adult studio work in 2019. The rest is history, with star turns in award-winning titles and Best Actress wins aplenty, a fresh contract, as well as a potent dynamic with thrice-crowned XBIZ “Director of the Year” Kayden Kross on blockbuster titles like “Drive,” “Muse” and “Mistress Maitland.”
This past year has only exponentially magnified her notoriety, as she scored a mainstream TV pilot, a sex toy deal and landed a book deal for a memoir. Her metrics on social media also offer testament to her star power, with millions of followers across top platforms. Now, she is adding another feather to her cap, taking the grand stage at the 20th annual XBIZ Awards.
“I look forward to a night of real Hollywood glamour and seeing the adult industry up there in lights,” Ward concluded. “And I just can’t wait to see everyone!”
Stay tuned to XBIZ.com for event updates.
