David Bridges
Maitland Ward Reflects on Tense Podcast Encounter with Former Co-Stars from Boy Meets World
Maitland Ward is actively seeking closure after her tumultuous appearance on the Boy Meets World rewatch podcast, Pod Meets World, which has sparked ongoing conversations about friendships and past grievances.
During her recent podcast episode, Ward joined Danielle Fishel, along with co-hosts Will Friedle and Rider Strong, to reflect on her character Rachael McGuire. What began as a friendly reunion quickly escalated when Fishel provocatively inquired about Ward’s alleged animosity towards her former castmates, revealing underlying tensions from their shared history.
In a conversation with TooFab following the podcast release, Ward elaborated on her side of the story, expressing her feelings about the unexpected confrontation and the dynamics that led to such a heated exchange.
“I wouldn’t say I’m shaken up, but I’m definitely taken aback by the entire situation. It’s been about a week and a half since the show aired, and I’ve had time to reflect. It felt unsettling to realize that people I once considered friends—especially someone like Danielle, whom I thought was a friend—might actually carry a grudge against me. It’s disheartening to see that she hasn’t liked me for years, and that realization is quite sad for me,” Ward shared, revealing her emotional turmoil following the podcast.
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Despite Fishel’s suggestion that Ward appeared on the podcast merely to generate drama, Ward firmly stated that her intentions were never to stir controversy or create tension among the cast members.
“I want to clarify that I did not come on that show to create controversy or to stir anything up at the moment,” Ward asserted. “I believe the audience can see that my initial interactions on the podcast were genuinely pleasant, which makes the abrupt change in tone at the end all the more perplexing.”
Ward expressed her disappointment not only over Fishel’s comments but also regarding Friedle, who she has maintained a close friendship with since joining the show in its sixth season. Their camaraderie continued during the revival series, Girl Meets World, which aired in 2015.
“I feel a bit hurt by Will, especially considering he framed our conversation as lighthearted and fun. People were looking forward to it, and we were just going to discuss the show and share stories. I didn’t anticipate such a jarring shift in the conversation. It felt like one moment she was Topanga, and then she flipped into Regina George,” Ward explained, highlighting her unexpected experience on the podcast.
Ward further elaborated, “It’s incredibly painful to appear on a podcast with people you’ve known for almost your entire life, who then ask you if you hate them. I responded honestly, saying ‘No, you hate me.’”
This complicated dynamic between the two women traces back to 2013, when Ward reached out to Fishel via Facebook, only to discover that they were no longer friends on the platform without any explanation.
For her part, Fishel mentioned that she didn’t even notice the message until 2022, as she rarely checks her Facebook account. It was during this time that Friedle informed Fishel about Ward’s interest in potentially guesting on their new podcast, prompting a renewed conversation.
During this discussion, Friedle revealed to Fishel that she had unintentionally left Ward without closure for nearly a decade, leading Fishel to ask Friedle if he could help her reconnect with Ward. Ward allegedly suggested they could discuss their issues on the podcast, hinting that it might “boost the ratings.”
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However, when these past events were brought up during the podcast, Ward felt that things became somewhat unclear and convoluted.
“She brought up the ongoing Facebook friendship saga, asking, ‘Did you unfriend her?’ which she did. Then she admitted, ‘Could I have done it within the last ten years? Yes, probably, but it was likely part of a group garbage dump.’ To which I thought, okay, well, that makes me feel really great that this is how you’re approaching this—essentially telling me you dislike me more than I even realized,” Ward recounted her feelings about the conversation.
“It’s disheartening because I’ve done nothing but be nice to her for all these years—20 years, however long it’s been—and she insinuated that my invitation to her wedding was somehow out of the blue, as if I was trying to do something sneaky. This was 18 years ago, and I genuinely liked her and wanted her to attend my wedding,” Ward expressed her sorrow over the misunderstanding.
“It’s truly disheartening in many ways because I wish there had been a time when we could’ve had a meaningful conversation about all of this instead of letting it play out so publicly,” Ward added, emphasizing the need for more open dialogue.
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Regarding her claims about Boy Meets World stars, Ben Savage and creator Michael Jacobs, Ward maintains her belief that some of Fishel’s resentment stems from her efforts to mend her relationship with them.
“I know they have always been against Michael Jacobs and Ben, and they are aware that I am on good terms with both of them. I had issues with Michael and Disney back in the day, which I wrote about in my book. After my book was released, Michael reached out, and we had a lengthy discussion where we addressed many issues, which I greatly appreciated,” Ward recalled, sharing how their dialogue has evolved.
She continued, “We came to a mutual understanding about how the late 90s and early 2000s were incredibly challenging for women in Hollywood, and it shaped our perspectives.”
“I don’t think they approached me with that mindset,” she said regarding Fishel, Friedle, and Strong. “Accusing me of attempting to stir things up when I had previously been invited to participate in their press release for the podcast launch felt disingenuous. It’s ironic that after two and a half years, they’re making overtures for me to return,” Ward reflected on the inconsistency in their actions.
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While the conversation did not unfold as Ward had anticipated, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to clarify her position for the loyal BMW fanbase, emphasizing the importance of transparency.
“I’m thankful I was able to clarify things for the fans. Many believed I was exaggerating or fabricating the idea that she didn’t like me. I think it’s now clear that there are underlying issues. I would love to discuss this further, as I am open to a conversation with her. However, I wish the podcast had approached the topic in a more respectful and conversational manner. It felt abrupt and out of context,” Ward concluded, advocating for a more constructive dialogue.
Regarding Fishel’s approach during the podcast, Ward suggested that it may stem from past grievances that Fishel has been “harboring against me.” She believes the release of her 2022 memoir, My Escape from Hollywood: Unapologetic, Unfiltered, and Unashamed, may have triggered these feelings, particularly her assertion that Fishel disliked her.
“I didn’t realize how deep her feelings ran, but I always sensed some resentment. I know she was in a difficult place during Girl Meets World, and I feel for her, but I don’t understand her perspective. I would never have confronted her in such a public manner,” Ward reflected on the complexities of their relationship.
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Although Ward mentioned that she has not been contacted by Fishel, Friedle, or Strong since the recording, she remains open to the idea of returning to the podcast to find resolution.
“I’m not afraid to address these issues, and I would definitely consider it. There’s so much more to discuss here, and I believe it should be done in a more mature and constructive manner,” Ward expressed her willingness to engage in a deeper conversation about their shared past. “There are significant topics in the world, and yet we find ourselves debating petty matters like whether she unfriended me on Facebook. We can have a more meaningful dialogue.”
“I would also love to hear Will’s perspective, as his comments were particularly hurtful to me. I didn’t see that coming, and I would appreciate understanding his viewpoint on the situation,” she added.
TooFab has reached out to Fishel for comment regarding the ongoing situation and their podcast discussion.
Clara Hastings
