Biography of Mia Khalifa
Early Life and Education
Mia Khalifa, born in 1993 in Beirut, Lebanon, is a Lebanese-American media personality and former adult film actress. Raised in a Catholic household, she described her upbringing as “very conservative.” Her family relocated to the United States in 2001 due to the South Lebanon conflict, settling in Montgomery County, Maryland. During her high school years, she played lacrosse but faced bullying for being “the darkest and weirdest girl” at her school, which worsened after the September 11 attacks. She later attended Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Texas at El Paso. To support herself during college, she worked as a bartender, model, and even appeared as a “briefcase girl” on a Spanish-language game show.
Career in Adult Films
Khalifa entered the adult film industry briefly in October 2014 after being approached by a producer who asked if she was interested in nude modeling. Her stage name was inspired by her dog’s name, Mia, and rapper Wiz Khalifa. Despite working for only three months in the industry, she gained immense popularity after appearing in a controversial scene where she wore a hijab during a threesome. This video led to widespread attention but also significant backlash from religious groups and individuals worldwide. Within weeks of its release, she became one of the most searched-for performers on Pornhub and was ranked as their No. 1 performer by December 2018.
The controversy surrounding her career included death threats from extremist groups like ISIS and criticism from various communities. However, some defended her right to make personal choices about her body and career. Khalifa has stated that she earned only $12,000 during her time in the industry—a claim disputed by Bang Bros., which reported paying her over $178,000.
Post-Porn Career and Public Persona
After leaving the adult film industry early in 2015 due to discomfort with its impact on her life and reputation, Khalifa transitioned into other ventures. She became active as a social media influencer with millions of followers across platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Additionally, she worked as a webcam model and sports commentator while continuing to build her online presence through collaborations with brands and public appearances.
Khalifa has been outspoken about issues such as women’s rights and societal double standards regarding sexuality. She has also used her platform to advocate for causes related to Lebanon following crises like the Beirut explosion.
