Mia Khalifa on Curiosity vs Desire and the Toxicity of Shame | Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud

Sarah Joe AKA Mia Khalifa is a Lebanese-American media personality, activist, and entrepreneur, known for her charismatic presence online and her bold advocacy work. She first rose to public attention in 2014 aged 21 when she was involved for just 3 months in the adult film industry. She has since transformed her platform into a powerful voice for body autonomy, immigrant rights, and breaking stigma around personal reinvention. Born in Beirut and raised in the U.S., Mia Khalifa brings a unique perspective shaped by her Middle Eastern roots and Western upbringing. Mia has been vocal about reclaiming her narrative, using her experiences to speak out against exploitation, online harassment, and the complexities of fame. Today, she’s built a strong presence on social media where she engages millions with her unfiltered commentary, humour, and insight. Mia is a businesswoman herself, founding her jewellery brand Sheytan in 2023. Her story is one of resilience, transformation, and redefining success on her own terms.  In this episode of Fashion Neurosis Bella Freud and Mia Khalifa discuss curiosity versus desire, reading the dictionary at night, and how fashion can be a liberation from body shame.