Mia Khalifa was born on February 10, 1993 in Beirut, Lebanon as Sarah Joe Chamoun. She grew up in a conservative Christian household and attended a French-language private school where she learned English fluently. In 2001, her family moved to the United States to escape conflict in Lebanon, settling in Montgomery County, Maryland. During her school years in the U.S., she played lacrosse and experienced bullying, especially after the events of September 11, 2001. Later she attended Massanutten Military Academy and eventually earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Texas at El Paso. During college she worked various jobs to support herself, including bartending and modeling.
Mia Khalifa entered the adult entertainment industry in October 2014, where she quickly gained global recognition. A specific scene in which she wore a hijab attracted intense attention and controversy, making her one of the most searched performers in the world in a very short period. Despite her career in adult films lasting only a few months, she became a top performer on major adult platforms and sparked debates around cultural sensitivity and media representation. Her rapid rise also brought backlash, especially from conservative communities in the Middle East, and she received threats because of the cultural implications of her work.
After leaving the adult industry, Mia Khalifa shifted her focus toward building a presence in mainstream media and online spaces. She became active as a webcam model and content creator on platforms like OnlyFans, and she developed a strong social media following through candid engagement with fans. In addition, she worked as a sports commentator and used her platform to speak about her experiences and advocate for broader conversations around personal agency and the adult industry. Beyond content creation, she has explored business ventures such as launching her own jewelry line and participating in creative collaborations.