Mia Khalifa, despite being one of the most recognized names in the adult film industry, did not earn nearly as much as one might expect during her brief tenure. As of 2018, Khalifa maintained her position as the second most searched adult film star on Pornhub, even three years after exiting the scene. Her involvement in the industry lasted just three months, during which she participated in about 12 shoots.
These few videos have garnered hundreds of millions of views, suggesting substantial earnings. Surprisingly, however, Khalifa disclosed that she received minimal financial compensation for her efforts. The reality of her earnings starkly contrasts with the general assumption that porn stars receive lucrative pay. Derek Hay, the founder of LA Direct Models, shared insights with The Sun, stating, “I don’t think that adult stars make as much money as the general public perceives them to make. I don’t think there’s anybody, even the biggest stars, who are making more than half a million a year.”
Hay elaborated, “But if some of the top stars are making £240,000 ($308,301) to £320,000 ($411,068) per year, by most people’s perception that would still be a lot of money I think.” Although these figures are impressive by conventional standards, they pale in comparison to the revenue and viewership that actors drive for adult websites.
Khalifa herself revealed that she earned a mere $12,000 from her adult film career—about $1,000 per shoot. She emphasized in a 2019 Washington Post interview that she receives no residuals from Pornhub or any other platforms where her videos continue to circulate.
Khalifa’s fame globally soared due to her pornographic work, but she has since advised against entering the industry. In a 2020 Instagram video, she described her stint in adult films as “the lowest, most toxic, most uncharacteristic three months of my life.” She continued, “Those 11 videos will haunt me until I die, and I don’t want another girl to go through that – because no one should.”
Khalifa’s final words of advice were resonant and clear: “Long story short: don’t do porn. And if you do, don’t do it with a company. Do it for yourself, on your own terms.” This statement underscores a significant shift in her stance on the industry, prioritizing personal autonomy and well-being over quick fame and short-lived financial gains.