Who is Mia Khalifa?
Mia Khalifa is a Lebanese-American media personality and former adult film actress who rose to fame in late 2014. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, on February 10, 1993, she moved to the United States in 2001. Despite a brief three-month career in the adult industry, Khalifa became one of the most searched performers on major adult websites. After leaving the industry, she transitioned into roles as a webcam model, social media influencer, sports commentator, and entrepreneur. Khalifa has also been an outspoken advocate for sex workers’ rights and has engaged in various business ventures, including launching her own jewelry line.
Early Life and Education
Mia Khalifa was born on February 10, 1993, in Beirut, Lebanon, into a conservative Catholic family. She attended a French-language private school in Beirut, where she learned English. In 2001, amid the South Lebanon conflict, her family relocated to the United States, settling in Montgomery County, Maryland. During her high school years, Khalifa played lacrosse but faced bullying, especially after the September 11 attacks, due to her Middle Eastern background. She later attended Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a Bachelor of Arts in history. To support herself during college, she worked as a bartender, model, and appeared as a “briefcase girl” on a local Spanish-language game show.
Personal Life
Khalifa’s personal life has been marked by several significant relationships. She married her high school boyfriend in February 2011; the couple separated in 2014 and divorced in 2016. In 2019, she married Swedish chef Robert Sandberg, but they separated in 2020. From 2021 to 2022, she was in a relationship with Puerto Rican rapper and singer Jhayco.
In 2015, Khalifa stated that she was no longer a practicing Catholic. She has tattoos of the opening line of the Lebanese National Anthem in Arabic and the Lebanese Forces Cross, which she said was to “show solidarity with [her] father’s political views” following a 2012 bombing.
Childhood
Mia Khalifa was born on February 10, 1993, in Beirut, Lebanon, during a period of political unrest. Her early years in Lebanon were shaped by the cultural richness of the region as well as the instability brought on by conflict. In 2001, when she was just eight years old, her family emigrated to the United States in search of a safer and more stable life. They settled in Montgomery County, Maryland. Adjusting to a new culture and language, Mia attended a French-language private school initially and later integrated into American schools. Her childhood in the U.S. was not without challenges—she faced bullying due to her accent and Middle Eastern heritage, especially in the post-9/11 climate. Despite these hardships, Mia was a bright and active student who found solace in sports like lacrosse and displayed an early drive for independence and self-expression.
Love Story
Mia Khalifa’s love life has garnered public interest due to her high-profile relationships and her candid nature on social media. Her first marriage occurred when she was just 18 years old, to her high school sweetheart in 2011. However, the marriage was short-lived, and the couple divorced in 2016. She later became engaged to Swedish chef Robert Sandberg in 2019, and the two got married later that year. Despite their shared moments and public appearances, the marriage faced challenges, leading to a mutual separation and divorce in 2020. Mia shared openly about the emotional toll of trying to balance personal growth with the pressure of public scrutiny. Following her second marriage, she was romantically linked with Puerto Rican musician Jhayco, with whom she shared a brief but affectionate relationship. Mia’s love story is one of both passion and lessons learned, reflecting her evolving sense of self and the complexities of maintaining relationships in the public eye.
Family
Khalifa’s decision to enter the adult film industry led to a significant rift with her family. Her parents publicly disowned her, stating that her actions did not represent her upbringing and expressing their desire for her to leave the industry. This estrangement has been a source of personal pain for Khalifa, who has spoken about the challenges of navigating her identity and family relationships in the public eye.
Detailed Bio Table
Field | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Mia Khalifa |
Date of Birth | February 10, 1993 |
Age (as of 2025) | 32 years old |
Place of Birth | Beirut, Lebanon |
Nationality | Lebanese-American |
Height | 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) |
Parents | Names not publicly disclosed |
Education | BA in History, University of Texas at El Paso |
Occupations | Media personality, webcam model, sports commentator, entrepreneur |
Years Active | 2014–present |
Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $8 million |
Career
Entry into the Adult Film Industry
Khalifa entered the adult film industry in October 2014, adopting her stage name from her dog, Mia, and American rapper Wiz Khalifa. She gained immediate attention after a controversial scene in which she wore a hijab during a threesome, leading to widespread criticism and even death threats. Despite the backlash, she became the most searched performer on Pornhub in 2015. However, she left the industry after only three months, citing the negative attention and its impact on her personal life.
Transition to Other Ventures
After leaving the adult film industry, Khalifa reinvented herself as a social media personality and sports commentator. She co-hosted the sports talk show “Sportsball” with Tyler Coe on Rooster Teeth and made guest appearances on various platforms. In 2020, she appeared as herself in the Hulu series “Ramy” and in 2021, she made a cameo in Bella Poarch’s music video for “Build a Bitch.” In 2023, Khalifa launched a jewelry line called “Sheytan” with designer Sara Burn.
Advocacy and Public Commentary
Khalifa has been an outspoken advocate for sex workers’ rights and has criticized the exploitation within the adult film industry. She has also been vocal about political issues, including criticizing U.S. military aid to Israel and calling Israel an “apartheid state,” which led to backlash and the termination of a podcasting deal with Playboy.
🧾 Mia Khalifa’s Career Timeline Table
Year(s) | Role/Industry | Description |
---|---|---|
2014 | Adult Film Actress | Entered the adult film industry in October; gained international fame in under 3 months. |
2015 | Exit from Adult Industry | Left the industry citing public backlash and personal conflict; remained a top-searched name. |
2015–2017 | Webcam Model & Influencer | Worked as a webcam model and began building a personal brand on social media. |
2017–2018 | Sports Commentator | Co-hosted “Out of Bounds” on Complex News and joined Rooster Teeth’s sports podcast “Sportsball”. |
2019 | Public Appearances | Appeared in podcasts, talk shows, and built her presence as a pop culture commentator. |
2020 | Cameo on TV Series “Ramy” | Played herself in the Hulu series “Ramy”, blurring lines between her public persona and fiction. |
2021 | Music Video Appearance | Featured in Bella Poarch’s “Build a Bitch” music video. |
2022–2023 | Entrepreneur | Launched her own jewelry line “Sheytan” in collaboration with designer Sara Burn. |
2024 | Film Critic & Cinephile | Gained attention for sharing detailed film reviews on Letterboxd; expressed interest in acting. |
2025 (Current) | Activist & Cultural Figure | Actively supports political causes (e.g., pro-Palestinian advocacy), and engages in media debates. |
Latest News: Mia Khalifa’s Foray into Film Commentary
As of May 3, 2025, Mia Khalifa is making headlines for her staunch support of the Irish rap group Kneecap amid controversy surrounding their scheduled performance at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival. Following calls from UK Members of Parliament to remove Kneecap from the lineup due to their pro-Palestinian statements, Khalifa announced on social media her intent to boycott the festival if the band is dropped. She stated, “Let’s hold on booking Glastonbury until we see whether they’re keeping Kneecap on the lineup or not. If they don’t, I’m boycotting.” This stance aligns with her history of advocating for Palestinian rights and underscores her commitment to artistic freedom and political expression.
Height and Physical Appearance
Mia Khalifa stands at 1.57 meters (5 feet 2 inches) tall. She is known for her distinctive features, including her dark hair and eyes, as well as her signature glasses, which became iconic during her brief adult film career. Her appearance has contributed to her recognition and popularity across various media platforms.
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Social Media Accounts Table
Platform | Handle/Link | Followers (approx.) |
---|---|---|
@miakhalifa | 27.5 million | |
@miakhalifa | 5.7 million | |
Mia Khalifa Official | 4.1 million | |
YouTube | Mia Khalifa | 899K subscribers |
TikTok | N/A | 40 million |
Net Worth as of 2025
As of 2025, Mia Khalifa’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. While her initial earnings stemmed from her short-lived career in the adult film industry, the majority of her wealth has been accumulated through her ventures as a social media influencer, webcam model, sports commentator, and entrepreneur. Her business endeavors, including her jewelry line “Sheytan,” have significantly contributed to her financial success .
FAQS
1. Why did Mia Khalifa leave the adult film industry?
Mia Khalifa left the adult film industry after just three months in 2015 due to the overwhelming backlash and personal threats she received, particularly from the Middle Eastern community. She has since expressed regret over her participation, citing lack of control over her image and long-lasting consequences on her personal and professional life.
2. What is Mia Khalifa doing now in 2025?
As of 2025, Mia Khalifa is focused on her work as a cultural commentator, entrepreneur, and social media influencer. She runs a successful jewelry line called Sheytan, continues to speak out on social and political issues, and engages with fans through platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd.
3. Is Mia Khalifa still active in the entertainment industry?
While she is no longer involved in adult entertainment, Mia Khalifa remains active in broader media. She makes appearances in music videos, podcasts, and web series, and has been recognized for her film critiques and advocacy for women’s rights and Middle Eastern issues.
4. What is Mia Khalifa’s real name?
Mia Khalifa’s birth name is Sarah Joe Chamoun. She adopted the name “Mia Khalifa” as a stage name during her brief adult film career, and it has remained her public persona ever since.
5. Has Mia Khalifa reconciled with her family?
No, Mia Khalifa has publicly stated that her family disowned her after her involvement in the adult industry. She has expressed sorrow over the estrangement but respects their cultural values and has not indicated any formal reconciliation as of 2025.