Maitland Ward's Cosplay Looks Will Give You Halloween Inspiration

It’s spooky season and that means Halloween is quickly approaching. So, what better way to get some costume inspiration from the cosplay queen herself Maitland Ward? The redheaded beauty spoke to In Touch exclusively about previous characters she has dressed up as and her tips for being a confident badass all night long.

The 42-year-old started getting involved with cosplay — where one dresses up as a character from a movie, book or video game — over the past few years. “I was always such a nerd,” she revealed. “I loved Star Wars and Wonder Woman and Batman stuff. So, it was always a natural thing for me. But I didn’t know you could actually make sort of a career out of it. I started getting a lot of attention from cosplay and people wanting to have posters and photos and all sorts of stuff to do. It just kind of snowballed from there.”

The Drive starlet revealed that dressing up helped her become more self-assured with her body — especially when it comes to displaying her barely there outfits on social media and in movies. “Cosplay is a huge factor in how I feel confident being like scantily clad or showing my body and sexuality for the camera and in public and everything,” she divulged. “That was definitely instrumental in my journey along the way to where I am now.”

Maitland offered advice to people who might be afraid to dabble in cosplay. “If you’re just starting out, I think just pick a favorite character of yours that is not too complex and that you feel comfortable in,” she said. “I think for the first one, you should really pick something that you like a lot. If you’re a Star Trek fan, pick something from Star Wars or pick something from Star Trek or whatever you’re into.”

Deal of the Day

Only $12! — (And No One Will Know They Aren’t Designer) View Deal

While it might be scary for some people to get out of their comfort zone, the Boy Meets World alum reassures everyone that it’s all about the experience. “I think the cosplay definitely comes from inside because you have to have that joy and that fun to be able to pull it off and to also be in it all day,” she shared. “But it’s really fun to see everybody’s costumes, and it’s a really good community.”

Maitland has since ventured into adult films, and she believes that embodying a fictional character helped her a lot. “I just think over time, I got more confident and confident because I was always out there and I was like, ‘I like this.’ I can be confident and kick ass and play these characters that I like to play, and I can really be myself even though I was acting through some other characters. You have to just say, no f—ks given. I am out there! Just do it!”

Scroll through the gallery below to see some of Maitland’s most epic costumes.

Have a tip? Send it to us! Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com.

Ducati Body Paint

“A Patreon fan bought this body paint session because he’s a Ducati fan,” she said. “I loved it, even with the eight-hour paint time. But walking down the street, completely naked except for paint, that’s freeing and scary. More scary because I might be arrested. Again, whatever happens!”

Sexpot Barb from Stranger Things

“I thought wouldn’t it be funny to think that Barb from Stranger Things went to The Upside Down and turned into the wild sexpot,” she said. “Like, she went to the dark side, and now she’s all hot. I did this whole setup in a hotel room where we put the whole Stranger Things Christmas lights letter wall behind me. We even had a fog machine, which set off the smoke detectors, and we nearly got kicked out of the hotel.”

Aeon Flux

“I loved this costume, and the dark wig. It made me feel completely different and authentically the character,” she revealed. “But the double-stick tape with the underboob was a nightmare. It was a scorching hot day, and it kept sweating off. I guess at these things my boobs are always in danger of bursting free. I have to laugh about it and say whatever happens!”