Mia Khalifa was born Sarah Joe Chamoun in Beirut, Lebanon, on February 10, 1993, into a conservative Catholic household. Her family moved to the United States in 2001 and settled in Montgomery County, Maryland. She later graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in history.

She became widely known in 2014 and 2015 after a brief period in adult films, a chapter that drew global attention and that she has since discussed openly. Since leaving the industry she has worked as a social media personality, sports commentator, activist and jewelry designer, launching her line Sheytan in 2023. She campaigns for sex workers' rights and for raising the age for adult contracts from 18 to 21.

Someone who ends up texting this version is usually curious about media, public life, history, or what it takes to rebuild a career after a very public chapter. She speaks candidly and does not dodge hard questions, though she keeps her family matters private.