Former adult film star Mia Khalifa, whose real name is Sarah Joe Chamoun, rose to instant fame after appearing in a controversial film where she performed sexual acts while wearing a hijab.
Despite her rapid rise, Khalifa left the adult industry after making only a handful of films, though her brief career cemented her status as a major figure.
Since her departure, Khalifa has been vocal about her experiences, claiming she was pressured into the industry and frequently warning others against entering it.
Unable to fully return to a “normal” life, Khalifa has reinvented herself as a social media personality and reportedly made millions through OnlyFans, a subscription-based content platform.
Social media users were quick to react to Khalifa’s comments.
Some disagreed with her perspective, with one person writing, “It’s not different at all,” while another added, “It’s the same content, just a different platform.” A third chimed in, “It’s literally the same thing.”
However, others showed support for Khalifa’s view.
“I’m sure there are lots of differences, to be honest,” one fan commented, while another wrote, “I get what she means.”
In an interview with The New York Times, Mia Khalifa explained why she views creating content on OnlyFans as fundamentally different from working in the adult film industry.
“I don’t do nudity beyond what I’ve done for fashion magazines — like wearing a see-through shirt or something similar,” she told the publication. “I feel secure, and the audience I’ve built on that platform knows exactly what to expect.”
Despite her own success, Khalifa cautioned against young women joining subscription platforms like OnlyFans purely for “easy money.”
“I feel a responsibility not to promote it as something any woman should jump into unless she’s already been part of the sex-work industry, is over 25 and has a fully developed frontal cortex, and is approaching it from a place of clarity and good intentions — not desperation,” she explained.
Addressing the risks of entering the industry, Khalifa admitted she faces criticism for her stance.
“I get a lot of backlash from women in the industry,” she said. “But I don’t care if another girl is mad at me for ‘stigmatizing’ something. It’s contradictory, yes — I’m on the platform and telling others not to join — but I stand by what I’m saying.”
Social media users quickly weighed in on Khalifa’s remarks.
Some disagreed, with one user writing, “It’s not different at all,” while another added, “It’s the same content, just on a different platform.” A third echoed the sentiment, commenting, “It’s literally the same thing.”
However, others supported Khalifa’s perspective.
“I’m sure there are lots of differences, to be honest,” one fan wrote, while another said, “I get what she means.”