Mia Khalifa Opens Up About Sex Work and Mental Health

In a recent podcast interview with Louis Theroux, Mia Khalifa opened up about her experiences in the adult film industry and the emotional journey she has undergone since leaving that world behind.

“I used to have a lot of trouble talking about it because I was extremely clouded by shame,” Khalifa revealed during the conversation. "I used to have a visceral reaction to even hearing the name Mia and knowing that if someone is calling me by that name, they are seeing me in a way that I don’t want to be seen in."

However, Khalifa clarified that the shame she once felt wasn't rooted in the work itself. “But that had a lot more to do with my mental health than it does about the bigger picture of things,” she explained.

Theroux then asked Khalifa if she would discourage others from entering the adult industry and, if so, why. In response, she emphasized the importance of emotional maturity and mental health. “I think that nine years of therapy is a lot, and it’s not because of what I went through in the industry. It’s what I had to go through to get to a point in my life where I feel like I am of a healthy state of mind to make decisions in my life,” she shared.

Reflecting on her youth, Khalifa added, “When you’re 19, 20, 21 years old… you don’t know what you’re going to want for your life or what you want out of your life. You don’t even know yourself that young. You should not make life-changing decisions when you’re that young.”

Khalifa's candid reflections highlight her ongoing journey toward healing and self-awareness, shedding light on the complex realities of her past and the growth that followed.