When Girl Meets World first premiered on Disney Channel back in 2014, fans of the original Boy Meets World were skeptical. Could anyone really capture that same lightning in a bottle? While Rowan Blanchard was the lead, it didn't take long for everyone to start asking who played Maya in Girl Meets World because, frankly, she stole every scene she was in.
That girl was Sabrina Carpenter.
At the time, she was just a teenager with a powerhouse voice and a leather jacket. Now? She’s a global pop icon selling out arenas and dominating the Billboard charts. But before the "Espresso" craze and the Coachella sets, she was Maya Hart—the rebellious, loyal, and deeply complex best friend to Riley Matthews.
The Audition That Changed Everything
Getting the role wasn't some overnight fluke. Sabrina actually auditioned for Disney multiple times before landing the part of Maya. Interestingly, the producers weren't just looking for a "sidekick." They needed someone who could balance the bubbly, optimistic energy of Riley with something a bit more grounded and, well, broken.
Maya Hart wasn't your typical Disney Channel character. She dealt with a father who abandoned her and a mother who worked late nights at a diner just to keep the lights on. Sabrina brought a level of maturity to the role that most thirteen-year-olds simply don't have. She played Maya with a specific kind of "tough-girl" armor that would occasionally crack, letting the audience see the vulnerability underneath.
If you look back at the pilot episode, the chemistry between Sabrina and Rowan Blanchard was instant. It felt real. That’s because it was—they became incredibly close off-screen, which helped ground the show in a genuine friendship rather than just scripted lines. People kept searching for who played Maya in Girl Meets World because her performance felt so much more "prestige TV" than "kid sitcom."
Life on the Set of Girl Meets World
Working on a Disney show is basically a 24/7 job. You're filming, you're recording music, you're doing press tours, and you're trying to grow up in front of a camera. For Sabrina, the character of Maya became a vehicle for her own creative growth.
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Did you know she actually sang the theme song?
"Take On The World" featured both Sabrina and Rowan, but you can clearly hear Sabrina’s distinct, soulful tone leading the way. Throughout the show’s three-season run, the writers started leaning into her musical talents. Maya often used art and music to express the things she couldn't say out loud.
The show focused heavily on the "Triangle"—the romantic tension between Riley, Maya, and Lucas Friar (played by Peyton Meyer). While some fans found the plotline frustrating, it gave Sabrina a chance to show off her range. She had to play a girl who was willing to sacrifice her own feelings for her best friend's happiness. That's a lot of emotional weight for a teen show.
Beyond the Denim Jacket: The Evolution of Maya Hart
Maya’s fashion was a vibe.
Seriously. While Riley wore bright colors and floral patterns, Maya was all about flannel, combat boots, and layered jewelry. It was the "cool girl" aesthetic of the mid-2010s. It’s funny looking back now, seeing how much of that "cool girl" energy Sabrina has carried into her real-life persona, though her style has definitely traded the flannel for high-fashion corsets and vintage glam.
The show was eventually canceled in 2017 after three seasons. Fans were devastated. There were petitions to move it to Netflix or Hulu, but it never happened. When the show ended, the question of who played Maya in Girl Meets World shifted from "who is this kid?" to "what is she going to do next?"
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The Transition to Music
A lot of Disney stars try to do music. Not all of them succeed.
Sabrina was different. She was signed to Hollywood Records while she was still on the show, releasing her debut album Eyes Wide Open in 2015. You could tell even then that she wasn't interested in making bubblegum pop. She wanted to tell stories. Her early music had a folk-pop influence that felt more like Taylor Swift or Fleetwood Mac than Miley Cyrus.
- Evolution: She went from Eyes Wide Open to Evolution (2016), which started incorporating more dance and electronic elements.
- Singular: Singular: Act I and Act II showed a much more confident, edgy side of her artistry.
- Emails I Can't Send: This was the turning point. This 2022 album made the world realize she was a serious songwriter.
Why Maya Hart Still Matters to Fans
People still binge-watch Girl Meets World on Disney+ today. Why? Because the character of Maya Hart represented the "outsider."
For many kids watching, Riley’s life felt unattainable. Riley had two loving parents, a stable home, and a sunny disposition. Maya felt real. She felt like the kid who had to grow up too fast. She was the one who taught us that chosen family is just as important as the one you're born into.
When you look at who played Maya in Girl Meets World, you're looking at an actress who respected her audience. Sabrina never talked down to the kids watching her. She played the drama of being a fourteen-year-old with as much intensity as a Shakespearean tragedy.
Where is Sabrina Carpenter Now?
If you haven’t heard "Nonsense" or "Feather" on the radio lately, you might be living under a rock.
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Sabrina has officially broken out of the "Disney kid" mold. She opened for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, which is basically the ultimate seal of approval in the music industry. She’s also stayed active in acting, starring in films like The Hate U Give, The Short History of the Long Road, and the Netflix hit Work It.
But despite all the fame, she still speaks fondly of her time as Maya. She occasionally reunites with her old castmates, like Danielle Fishel (Topanga) or Ben Savage (Cory). It’s clear that the foundation she built on that soundstage is what allowed her to become the powerhouse she is today.
A Quick Reality Check
Sometimes people get confused and think Maya was played by other blonde Disney stars of that era. No, it wasn't Dove Cameron (though they are friends) and it wasn't Olivia Holt. It was Sabrina.
The confusion usually stems from the fact that Disney had a "type" during the mid-2010s, but Sabrina's sharp wit and comedic timing always set her apart. She was the one who could deliver a sarcastic one-liner and then immediately make you cry in the next scene.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're feeling nostalgic for the days of John Quincy Adams Middle School, here’s how you can dive back in:
- Rewatch the "Maya's Mother" arc: Specifically, the episodes "Girl Meets 1961" and "Girl Meets Maya's Mother." These are the episodes where Sabrina Carpenter really proves her acting chops.
- Listen to the "Emails I Can't Send" album: If you only know her as Maya, you need to hear her adult work. It’s vulnerable, funny, and incredibly well-written.
- Follow the legacy: Many of the Girl Meets World writers and producers have spoken about how Sabrina’s talent forced them to write "up" for the show. They couldn't just give her fluff; they had to give her meat.
- Check out her filmography: If you want to see her range beyond Disney, watch The Short History of the Long Road. It’s an indie film where she plays a girl living in a van with her father, and it is miles away from the bright lights of Disney Channel.
The answer to who played Maya in Girl Meets World is simple: a star in the making. Sabrina Carpenter didn't just play a role; she created a character that defined a generation of Disney viewers and used that platform to launch one of the most successful careers in modern entertainment. Whether you’re a fan of her "Short n' Sweet" era or you've been there since she first climbed through Riley’s window, there's no denying her impact.
To see what she’s up to today, your best bet is following her official social media channels or catching her latest music videos. She’s no longer the girl in the denim jacket, but the spark she had as Maya Hart is still very much alive in everything she does.