8

Maitland Ward is not interested in labels. Unless she’s the one writing them. In an exclusive and unapologetically candid interview with Where Is The Buzz, the former Boy Meets World actress turned adult entertainment powerhouse gets real about her fluid identity as a performer, the true economics of content creation, the Comic Con boom, and the controversy that tore apart her relationship with a former co-star.

From Disney darling to the queen of erotic disruption, Ward is rewriting the playbook of what it means to move between mainstream and adult platforms. And she’s doing it on her own terms.

“I Don’t Have To Declare Myself One Thing Or The Other”

For most performers, there’s a hard line between Hollywood and hardcore. But for Maitland Ward, that binary has always been wrong.

“Thank you for your thoughtful questions. You know I get asked this a lot and my answer is that I don’t have to declare myself one thing or the other. I think that’s limiting,” Ward tells Where Is The Buzz.

Having starred in everything from White Chicks to multiple award-winning adult films, Ward is clear. Her career trajectory is not a “jump” from one world to another. It’s a deliberate and empowered choice.

“When I started doing adult films I was asked all the time what made me switch from mainstream to p*rn and I’ve always said that I didn’t. I don’t consider myself a porn star or mainstream player. I’m always an actress who chooses projects and genres that interest and excite me.”

She critiques the “crossover” narrative that still clings to adult stars who land Hollywood gigs, citing how even high-profile examples like Chloe Cherry (Euphoria) are often boxed into narrow roles.

“Saying someone has to make the jump to mainstream from p*rn makes the adult industry and what we accomplish and do feel other than. Like mainstream is some life raft that everyone in p*rn is desperate to find a way onto, which feeds into antiquated stereotypes.”

“I do think it’s unfortunate and unfair that most of the time when adult stars ‘crossover’ into mainstream they’re only allowed to play versions of how society continues to see sex workers.”

Ward isn’t just pushing back against that narrative. She’s actively reshaping it. Her latest project? Turning her memoir into a sex-positive streaming series.

“As for where I am now, I’m focusing on packaging my memoir for TV and streaming. I want it to be sex positive and powerful and have people see the industry through a new lens.”

Danielle Fishel Drama: “It Was Like Being Invited To Dinner… And Having Plates Tossed At You”

Of course, no conversation with Maitland Ward in 2025 would be complete without addressing the now-infamous Pod Meets World podcast appearance that turned into a televised trainwreck.

“Oh wow where to start,” she begins, reflecting on the public clash with former Boy Meets World co-star Danielle Fishel.

“The whole podcast was like being invited to dinner by old friends and having plates tossed at you at the end. I find it funny that she accused me of trying to chase ratings for HER show that would serve to benefit HER directly and that she was the one who brought everything up and instigated the drama.”

Ward claims the feud ignited over an offhand comment she had made to co-star Will Friedle years earlier, one she barely remembered.

“She took an offhand, private comment I made to Will 2 1/2 years before and ran with it. I forgot I even said it until she brought it up to be honest.”

The betrayal, according to Ward, cut deep.

“What was more hurtful was that Williams served it up to her. It really just reinforced what I felt about our relationship and it made me sorry that things had gone so downhill.”

“It proved I was right about her negative feelings about me… I think seeing me there on the podcast in front of her set something off in her because the switch was so wild and abrupt.”

Ward denies ever trying to threaten Fishel’s place as “the girl with the boys.”

“She has also always been extraordinarily protective of her place as the only girl with her boys. But I never tried to threaten that.”

While the future of their relationship remains uncertain, Ward says she harbors no resentment.

“Do I wish her ill will? No, not at all. Can we come together and work it out? Maybe.”

But she also doesn’t mince words.

“It proved that when I said in the press before that I think she hates me, I was right.”

From Cosplay Queen to Con Circuit Star

Ward isn’t just a hit online. She’s dominating the convention scene.

Her appearance at Garden State Comic Fest was a major win, grossing nearly $20,000 in one weekend. Even better? A heartwarming White Chicks reunion with co-star Anne Dudek.

“It was so much fun seeing my old costar and being the White Chicks again! And of course I love seeing the fans at comic cons!”

“I started out with my cosplay at the cons many years ago so it was like going back to my roots, except this time doing the full signing experience.”

Now officially ranked the top-grossing mainstream star across regional comic cons in June 2025, Ward is eyeing an even bigger presence.

“I definitely plan on doing more! It was amazing to see how much conventions have evolved since I had gone to them pre-pandemic.”

She’s not blind to the friction between adult stars and family-friendly spaces but she sees progress.

“I don’t think traditional comic cons can really cater to the adult industry just because of the family aspect of the shows, but there are more and more performers who are into cosplay and anime that can really have fun with them.”

“It’s time to stop putting adult performers into one box and let them shine in many different things.”

Maitland vs. The OnlyFans Millionaires: “Show The Receipts”

Ward is as much a businesswoman as she is a performer. And she isn’t afraid to call out what she sees as fantasy over fact in the world of adult content creation.

She recently took issue with fellow adult creator Sophie Rain’s claim of earning $43 million on OnlyFans.

“As a broader issue, I think people fall for a lot of publicity stunts these days that become viral stories.”

“The truth is most girls on OnlyFans make less than $1000 a month. Do I make six figures a month? Yes. Could I make a million dollars a day? No.”

She’s skeptical, not spiteful.

“I’d be interested for her to show the receipts. But nevertheless she’s done a good job with her business and her platform and kiddos to her for the success. So I’m happy she’s doing well either way.”

Still, Ward wants new creators to understand the grind.

“There are a bunch of parameters in place too that wouldn’t allow individuals to tip such grossly excessive amounts and not be flagged. And it definitely could not go on without investigation.”

The MILF Mount Rushmore, According to Maitland

And yes, we had to ask: who are the ultimate MILF queens of 2025?

“Oh that’s a tough one! There are so many great MILF performers. Even though I play MILF roles, I don’t label myself one. I play a lot of different things and I always shy away from labels.”

Still, she gives credit where credit is due:

“I’ll definitely say my regular costar Brandi Love. Also Penny Barber, Cherie Deville, Phoenix Marie.”

“MILFs are the most business savvy. That definitely comes from maturity and longevity in the industry.”

She praises stars like Kendra Lust and Julia Ann for slaying the OnlyFans game without even needing to shoot full scenes.

“I always love working with MILFs because they’re always on time, have their lines down and don’t have the drama younger girls can have. And that’s true in both porn and mainstream.”

“MILFs are always there for a good time and to do a good job!”

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47

“Butterfly” isn’t your average bullet-ridden thriller with a convoluted plot and faceless villains. It’s an explosive emotional device wrapped in the sparkly veneer of global spying, and actress Kim Tae Hee is at the epicenter of the chaos.

The series features Daniel Dae Kim, Reina Hardesty, Piper Perabo, and Park Hae-soo, telling a story that is as much about family shame and trauma as it is about spy craft and action. However, a little closer to home was a film that represented the South Korean cinema icon Kim Tae Hee.

When she met with Where Is The Buzz’s Kori Nicole Barnes, it was readily apparent: this part was different.

“It Wasn’t Just Spy Drama. It Was Family.”

“I was drawn to the story because, yes, it was a spy thriller,” Kim shared warmly, “but more than that, it had a deep emotional thread about family.” She described how the show doesn’t stop at explosions or car chases to make its point. Instead, the base is a damaged family situation, complicated, painful, and heartbreakingly true.

That emotional core is personified in her, Eunju, the current wife of former U.S. intelligence agent David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim). When Jung’s estranged daughter Rebecca (Reina Hardesty) reenters the scene, it doesn’t spark reunion. It sparks war.

“There’s a scene on the KTX train where Inju meets Rebecca for the first time,” Kim recounted. “Rebecca is incredibly hostile, and Inju is caught off guard. But she still feels this deep, maternal instinct to accept her.”

That battle, Kim explained to us, was among the most tiring and hardest scenes for her as an actress. The tension, the humiliation, and the agony all converged into one cringe-inducing, unforgettable shot.

No Action Scenes, But She’s Ready

In spite of being filled with violence, stealth, and stunning set-pieces, however, Kim Tae Hee admitted she did not actually get to go on any action herself this time.

“I didn’t do any action training for this role,” she admitted, “but I love action. I’ve done a lot of wire work and firearms in the past. If I get the opportunity again, I would love to do more.”

For fans who’ve seen her break out her action chops in earlier work, the wish is clear: give her some guns and strap her up to a wire harness again, stat.

What Is Butterfly Actually About

At its core, Butterfly is a book about the ghosts that do not leave. The book is about David Jung, a mercurial retired spy living in South Korea, whose decisions of the past ruin his life today. As he is hunted by Rebecca, a deadly young agent affiliated with an extreme clandestine organization known as Caddis, David is required to deal with his shattered past relationships, especially with the daughter he never raised.

Directed by Ken Woodruff and Steph Cha, and executive directed by a team that includes Daniel Dae Kim and Arash Amel, Butterfly is part action thriller and part family drama. It deals with betrayal, trust, and the cost of keeping secrets.

Kim Tae Hee’s Standout Moment

Although her character is not at the center of the action set pieces, Kim Tae Hee’s Inju is going to be one of the series’ most richly nuanced performances. Her power, subtlety, and tragedy are all on display in that now-infamous KTX train scene.

“I haven’t seen the final version of it yet,” she confessed. “I’m nervous, honestly. But filming it was powerful for me. It was hard, but also one of the most fulfilling scenes I’ve ever done.”

Watch Kim Tae Hee’s Full Interview Below!

Catch Butterfly When It Drops

Prime Video’s Butterfly premieres August 13, 2025. With an ensemble cast, razor-sharp storytelling, and emotional punch, it’s set to be one of the most talked-about series of the year.

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A 33-year-old Georgia police officer is dead after trying to stop an active shooter on Friday evening near the campuses of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Emory University.

The DeKalb County officer was identified as David Rose. Rose, a rookie cop who had been on the job for almost a year, responded to the shooting and was critically injured. He later died of his injuries at Emory University Hospital, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported.

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Officer David Rose who was tragically killed in the line of duty,” the DeKalb County Police Department said in a public statement. “Officer Rose served DeKalb County with courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication. Even in the face of danger was he diligent in his duty to protect our community.”

The department added, “We extend our deepest condolences to Officer Rose’s family, friends, fellow DeKalb County officers, and law enforcement community during this most difficult time. #WeAreDKPD.”

Rose joined the police department in September 2024. According to AJC, he previously worked as a jailer for the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office from August 2021 to September 2021 before he voluntarily resigned.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens shared that Rose, a husband and father of two with a son on the way, served in the U.S. Marines before joining the DeKalb Police Department.

“Officer Rose bravely responded to the active shooter incident on Emory’s campus and lost his life while protecting so many others,” said Mayor Dickens. “Officer Rose’s passing is a stark reminder that every day, law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, and this dedication deserves our respect and gratitude.”

The shooter, who has not been identified, was found dead of a gunshot wound. It is not clear if he died from a self-inflicted gunshot or at the hands of Officer Rose. A motive has not yet been determined.

Gunshots reportedly hit at least four CDC buildings during the Friday evening incident, leaving many fearful, particularly employees at the CDC, the nation’s largest public health agency, and the Emory University community.

CDC Director Susan Monarez, an appointee of President Donald Trump, announced to employees that agency workers will all work from home on Monday as a result of the shooting, as the federal public health agency evaluates security. The Trump administration’s DOGE agency, led by Elon Musk, forced employees back to the office earlier this year.

“The active shooter incident near our campus today has understandably brought fear, anger and worry to all of us. I want to express my deep appreciation for your professionalism and resilience during this time,” said Monarez.

The CDC director expressed condolences to Officer Rose’s family and friends. “I admire the bravery and dedication it takes to face these situations head on,” Monarez said.

26

As Sydney Sweeney’s name continues to ricochet across the internet thanks to her latest denim campaign, it appears that even her own brother can’t resist getting in on the action with a wink, a nudge, and a knowing jab.

Trent Sweeney announced his recent U.S. Air Force promotion on his Instagram story. Accompanying a snapshot of his official certificate, he cheekily captioned it, “It’s them good jeans.” A not-so-subtle reference to his sister’s American Eagle ad, the post instantly lit up group chats and fan pages, signaling that the Sweeney family is well aware of the internet storm and they’re laughing.

The viral campaign, titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” launched July 23 and was designed to anchor American Eagle’s fall denim line. But rather than simply being a fashion-forward partnership, the ad has ignited a wildfire of debate, satire, and political commentary.

THE DENIM THAT LAUNCHED A CULTURE WAR

What began as a series of cheeky campaign videos featuring the Euphoria star working on a car, posing in denim, and speaking to camera about style quickly unraveled into something far bigger. The line “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” meant to nod to her fashion choices sparked widespread scrutiny for its double entendre.

Critics accused the brand of playing on the homonym “jeans” vs. “genes” in a way that hints at eugenics, the now-discredited pseudo-scientific movement that advocates selective breeding to “improve” humanity.

One particular video, which has since been removed from several American Eagle platforms but remains on Facebook, drew the most ire. In it, Sweeney lies down to zip up a pair of jeans as she narrates:

“Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”

Some saw this as an innocuous play on words. Others, however, labeled it as “dangerous,” “tone-deaf,” and “borderline fascist.” Comparisons were drawn to Brooke Shields’ infamous Calvin Klein campaign from 1980, which featured the then-15-year-old provocatively cooing, “You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”

AMERICAN EAGLE RESPONDS: “IT’S JUST JEANS”

Facing mounting backlash, American Eagle attempted to douse the flames on August 1 with a public statement posted to their Instagram.

“‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story,” the brand stated. “We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”

Yet for many, the damage was already done. The online debate had spiraled far beyond denim and advertising. The campaign was now entangled with deeper social and political fault lines, particularly once it became known that Sydney Sweeney has been a registered Republican.

TRUMP ENTERS THE CHAT

On August 3, former President Donald Trump offered his opinion during a press appearance in Pennsylvania. After being informed of Sweeney’s political affiliation by a reporter citing a BuzzFeed News article confirming her Republican registration in Florida, Trump’s response was instantaneous.

“She’s a registered Republican?” he asked. “Oh, now I love her ad.”

The 79-year-old went on:

“You’d be surprised how many people are Republicans. That’s one I wouldn’t have known, but I’m glad you told me that.”

His endorsement only added fuel to the fire, turning what started as a denim promo into a full-blown political Rorschach test. Suddenly, “great jeans” weren’t just about fit or fashion. They were now loaded with implications about ideology, legacy, and social commentary.

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In their latest efforts to keep the resurged Jeffrey Epstein criminal case at the forefront of the national conversation, Democrats are pushing for a congressional hearing with survivors of the convicted sex trafficker and pedophile.

In a joint letter led by U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., more than a dozen House Democrats requested the hearing from House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky.

As President Donald Trump‘s U.S. Justice Department seeks testimony from Epstein’s imprisoned co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, Democratic lawmakers said those harmed by their sex crimes should have the opportunity to provide their firsthand accounts, which they say “may not be sufficiently represented in the Department of Justice’s records.”

The letter details findings from the federal investigation of Epstein, including the fact that more than 1,000 people were subjected to “unique trauma.”

“Over the course of decades, Jeffrey Epstein operated an expansive and predatory network that exploited and trafficked young women and girls, often with the complicity of powerful institutions and individuals,” write the group of Democrats, which includes U.S. Reps Jasmine Crockett, Summer Lee, Kweisi Mfume, Lateefah Simon, Ro Khanna, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Robert Garcia and others.

The Democrats urged, “This trauma can be a lifelong sentence–when someone is violated and preyed upon, especially as a child, the resulting harms are often deep and lasting.”

The latest move from Democrats comes after weeks of renewed calls for the FBI files related to Epstein’s criminal case to be released. For years, supporters of Trump have had a great interest in the Epstein scandal, believing that federal records would reveal a conspiracy to protect the sex offender involving government officials and other high-profile individuals.

Trump, as a presidential candidate, and members of his administration, including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, promised transparency with the public about the files. However, in a July memo, the Department of Justice announced that the files would remain sealed and downplayed their significance. Trump’s MAGA base of supporters grew incensed, causing some to break from Trump and his administration, including Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Recent reports have indicated that Trump, who was a close friend of Epstein for many years, according to Epstein himself, may be mentioned in the Epstein FBI files.

Democrats have seized on the issue, which has become a political lightening rod for the Trump administration.

The group of Dems urging Chairman Comer to allow a hearing for Epstein’s survivors say they should have an opportunity to “have their stories heard and their healing centered in our efforts to achieve transparency and accountability.” The letter accuses the Trump administration of trying to silence victims in its attempt to put the case to bed without additional public “without even talking to a single victim.”

On July 23, 2025, Oversight Committee Democrats successfully forced a bipartisan vote to subpoena the DOJ to turn over the full and complete Epstein files, redacted only to protect the identities, safety, and privacy of the victims.

Following the motion from Democrats, Pressley, the lead signer of the letter to Comer, shared that centering Epstein’s victims is personal for her as a survivor of child sexual abuse.

“When you are violated, when you are groomed, when you are exploited, when you are preyed upon, when you are violated as a child, it changes you at your core,” Pressley shared with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki. “On a cellular level, it is a life sentence…This healing, transparency, accountability for these survivors is important and they deserve it. And it’s long overdue.”

28

Pop provocateur Sabrina Carpenter has done it again, again with the unveiling of the final vinyl-exclusive alternative cover for her upcoming album Man’s Best Friend, set to drop on August 29. The singer-songwriter and cultural firestarter isn’t just playing with aesthetics anymore. She’s staging a full-blown, high-gloss redemption arc, and this final move might just be the stroke of genius that reclaims her pop crown.

The Final Vinyl: A Bonus Track, A Collectible, A Statement

On Friday, Carpenter dropped the bombshell on X (formerly Twitter), announcing the last alternative cover for Man’s Best Friend and its vinyl-exclusive bonus track, “Such A Funny Way.” The announcement came with all the polish and poise her fans have come to expect but also a glint of playfulness that cuts through the controversy she’s weathered over the past two months.

“The final alt cover for Man’s Best Friend features such a special bonus track called ‘Such A Funny Way’available only on vinyl,” she tweeted. “Pre order now + a limited number of signed vinyl 3 weeks left!🐾 can’t wait for it to be yours x”

The vinyl cover itself is pure opulence. Carpenter lounges luxuriously in a vintage-style chair, dressed in soft lingerie, surrounded by roses and bathed in romantic lighting. In her hand, a subtle but striking prop: a playing card with the initials M.B.F. a dainty nod to the album title. It’s sultry but demure. Feminine, but self-assured. Most importantly, she’s alone. And fans are eating it up.

“APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY,” one fan declared.

“She is the most beautiful woman in the world!” gushed another.

One user summed up the general mood with blunt glee:

“BRO SABRINA WHY YOU PLAYING WITH MY WALLET LIKE THISSSSSS.”

To sweeten the merch drop even further, Carpenter is also selling a Man’s Best Friend-branded retro CD player. Because why not capitalize on the current Y2K nostalgia wave and rake in a collector coin while you’re at it?

From Outrage to Obsession: The Cover Art Controversy That Broke the Internet

To truly understand the impact of this final cover, you have to rewind to June when Carpenter first announced Man’s Best Friend. The anticipation was sky-high, but the backlash came just as fast. The original album artwork showed Sabrina on all fours in stilettos and a micro-mini dress, while a man towered behind her, gripping her hair.

The internet imploded.

What was meant to be bold and subversive was instead branded “degrading,” “performative,” and “a parody of feminism.” Fans accused her of pandering to the male gaze and betraying the self-aware, whip-smart persona she had built.

“For someone who keeps calling men PIGS she keeps degrading herself to appeal to the male gaze,” one critic snapped.

Another went further:

“Pretending to be this hyper-aware, feminist, anti-male figure, while your entire artistic identity still revolves around seeking male approval and being desirable to them is… a choice!”

Carpenter’s feminist card was getting publicly shredded in real time.

Sabrina’s Comeback Strategy: Covers, Clapbacks, and Carefully Calculated Chaos

But if you thought she’d apologize or backpedal, think again. Sabrina doubled down with art.

She dropped an alternate black-and-white cover showing her dancing with a man in a suit, a refined nod to Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller. Still sensual. Still aesthetic. But far more restrained.

She cheekily captioned it “approved by God,” poking fun at the online backlash with the kind of dry sass only Carpenter could pull off. And yet again the joke didn’t land for everyone.

“Tone deaf,” critics declared. “Mocking real concerns.”

But the Espresso hitmaker wasn’t finished. With the reveal of the third cover the final vinyl edition she finally seemed to find common ground with her fanbase. No more visual metaphors. No implied subjugation. Just a woman, her record, and her vision.

Tracklist: 12 Songs of Emotional Carnage and Chaotic Brilliance

In true Sabrina fashion, the album rollout has also been equal parts PR stunt and fan spectacle. She released the track titles via a social media scavenger hunt, encouraging fans to post puppy selfies alongside cryptic clues. The result? A slow-drip reveal of emotional mayhem, one sarcastic title at a time.

Here’s the full Man’s Best Friend tracklist:

1. Manchild






2. Tears






3. My Man on Willpower






4. Sugar Talking






5. We Broke Up Again Last Night






6. Nobody’s Son






7. Never Getting Laid






8. When Did You Get Hot?






9. Go Go Juice






10. Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry






11. House Tour






12. Goodbye

And for those who secure the vinyl? Add “Such A Funny Way” as a bonus track a syrupy, sad-girl closer that’s already generating buzz in fan circles.

The themes are messy. The titles are borderline unhinged. And yet, it all feels very Sabrina confessional, chaotic, and knowingly cheeky. It’s heartbreak couture, relationship PTSD turned into pop performance art.

Redemption in Real Time: What This Era Says About Sabrina Carpenter

With three alternate covers, a merch rollout that includes a literal CD player, and a fanbase more emotionally whipped than ever, Man’s Best Friend is shaping up to be Carpenter’s most polarizing and potentially powerful era yet.

In many ways, this album rollout has become less about the music and more about the meta-narrative. Sabrina Carpenter is not just selling an album. She’s selling a thesis on femininity, performance, and public perception. She’s asking her fans and her critics to confront what they expect from a pop star in 2025. And she’s forcing the internet to admit something uncomfortable:

Maybe you don’t get Sabrina Carpenter unless you understand she’s always been in on the joke.

Whether you love her, love to hate her, or simply can’t look away, one thing is undeniable: Sabrina Carpenter knows exactly what she’s doing.

And she just might be the best friend pop never saw coming.

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Someone has finally fessed up to starting the disturbing, sexist trend that has been disrupting WNBA games.

After more than five incidents of lime green sex toys being launched onto courts mid-game, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, an anonymous source in the cryptocurrency world confirmed to ESPN that he’s a part of a group that orchestrated the viral crude stunt. 

The group claims the stunts were part of a quasi-marketing strategy to promote a new coin created by the group, which began trading a day before the first incident. They supposedly picked the WNBA as a target because of its growing buzz and “controversy.” 

“It was more or less like an opportunistic approach to, you know, what is already trending,” the source, who goes by Lt. Daldo Raine on X, told ESPN. “Where is there already controversy and how do we intercept some of that attention?”

However, he insisted that at least one of the more recent incidents was not affiliated with their group and instead was just “copycat” behavior. 

The trend began on Tuesday, July 29, when a lime green toy was thrown onto the court during a game between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries. Since then, it has happened at least six times in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, Atlanta, and New York, often stopping the game and causing visible frustration from the players. 

In response, the WNBA has enacted a zero-tolerance policy, promising that anyone caught throwing objects will be ejected from the game, subjected to a minimum one-year ban, and turned over to the authorities. Coaches, players, celebrities, and fans alike have condemned the “distracting” trend for being a crude prank at best and for perpetuating sexual violence against women at worst. 

“This has been going on for centuries. The sexualization of women. This is the latest version of that. And it’s not funny and it should not be the butt of jokes on radio shows, or in print or any comments,” Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said per CNN.  

She added, “The sexualization of women is what’s used to hold women down, and this is no different. This is its latest form, and we should write about it in that way. These people [who] are doing this should be held accountable, and we’re not the butt of the joke. They’re the problem.”

Meanwhile, Indiana Fever Dream player Sophie Cunningham, who was nearly hit earlier in the week by one of the objects, stressed how this trend could reverse the efforts many have put forth to gain the league more respect.

“Everyone is trying to make sure the W is not a joke and it’s taken seriously, and then that happens,” Cunningham said on her podcast. “I’m like, ‘How are we ever going to get taken seriously?’”

AP News reported that at least two arrests have been made in connection with the incidents. One of them is a member of the group that claims to have started the trend. The group told ESPN that while they intend to back off from the WNBA for now, they aren’t exactly going away. They apparently have less disruptive plans for the future.