Interview, Fireside Chat, Statement
Mia Khalifa Opens Up About The Dark Side Of The Adult Entertainment Industry | E248
- Sarah Jo (formerly Mia Khalifa) identifies as a former adult film star, now a business owner, social media activist, and author, currently managing over 50 million followers.
- She states she lived through conflict in Lebanon, moved to America, and faced bullying as a Middle Eastern individual around the time of 9/11, which contributed to internalized racism and feelings of exclusion.
- Jo describes her early struggles with colorism in Lebanon (being the darkest in her family) and low self-esteem stemming from not fitting local or American beauty standards.
- She reveals that at age 16, she entered a grooming relationship with a man 10 years her senior (an Army veteran) who encouraged her to enter the adult entertainment industry.
- The relationship began as online work before escalating when she was 18, following an incident where her husband gave her a business card from a producer at age 20; she was encouraged by him to proceed.
- Jo entered the adult industry for a short duration (a couple of months) but was rapidly propelled to the top of the industry before realizing she did not want to continue.
- She left the industry and the relationship due to overwhelming feelings, moving from Miami to Austin to start anew, driven by a desire to align with her morals and establish boundaries.
- The period from 2019 to 2020 marked the peak of her anxiety and depression, triggered by major production companies publicly attacking her and re-releasing archived footage.
- Jo highlights the predatory nature of the industry contracts, specifically noting the "in perpetuity" clauses that she argues give companies permanent control over a young woman's likeness and prevent content removal.
- During her 2019–2020 crisis, she experienced severe depressive symptoms, including not showering, not eating, and being unable to leave her bed.
- Her recovery involved a combination of weekly therapy sessions, psychiatric medication (including Lexapro and beta-blockers), and the support of a new social circle in Austin.
- She attributes her current confidence to the "evidence" of accomplishing goals, contrasting with her past shame where mistakes led to spirals of self-hatred.
- Jo warns that the industry preys on vulnerable young women and argues that the standard age of entry (18) is inappropriate given the long-term legal consequences of such contracts.
- She anticipates future anxiety regarding AI and deepfakes, fearing a recurrence of the loss of bodily autonomy and control she experienced previously.
- She launched a new jewelry brand called "Shaitan," inspired by Arab women and focusing on affordable, delicate body jewelry and lifestyle items.
- In August, Jo will release a book titled The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws for Business Marketing and Life, which is the result of two years of writing and six months of research.
- The book will have 5,000 limited signed copies available on a first-come, first-served basis via a link in her bio.
- Her future goals include owning a home with a two-car garage, running three successful companies, and having a child, though she notes she is currently single and not actively dating.
- She outlines her "ingredients for happiness" as 70% alone time, 20% time with energizing people, and 10% acting on instinct.
- Jo identifies "unapologetic" as a core personality trait, inspired by Rihanna, marking a shift from the insecure, shriveled version of herself she was at age 18.
- She advises those struggling to seek help from professionals, noting that her therapist was the catalyst for her seeking psychiatric care during her lowest point.
- The interview concludes with Jo leaving a question for the next guest regarding whether the first seven years of life definitively shape a person, to which she responds that they are highly formative psychologically.