Mia Khalife
BEIRUT — Lebanon is a small country with a population of just four million people, so when one of its own achieves success on the world stage it’s usually a cause for celebration.
But it appears there may be exceptions to the rule. The country that reacted with an outpouring of national pride when human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin (now Clooney) became a household name last year is not quite sure how to deal with the news that a Lebanese-American has become one of the most popular porn stars in the world.
Twenty-one-year-old Mia Khalifa, who was born in Lebanon but now lives in Miami, Florida, recently became the most searched for adult performer on the website PornHub.
Khalifa’s achievement has caused a bit of a stir in Lebanon, becoming a main topic of conversation on social media in the past few days. Some didn’t approve.
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Others were uncomfortable for different reasons. Juliana Yazbeck, writing for NOW Lebanon, said she worried what effect Khalifa’s newfound fame might have for women in Lebanon.
For someone who has struggled so much to assert their presence as a human being with a working, thinking brain, I cannot deny that I felt a pang of despair when Mia erupted across social media and entertainment news. It never even crossed my mind to think, “she doesn’t have the right.” What did cross my mind was: “Really? Of the very few Lebanese women who are making global headlines, it had to be a porn star?” It felt like I had traveled for months, and just as I was nearing my destination, someone used my passport to wipe their ass, undoing all my hard work and sending me back to square one.
Of course, she was not without her supporters.
Nemr Abou Nassar @NEMRCOMEDY Follow
I followed @miakhalifa on twitter so now all of Lebanon can too! You’re welcome! Mia we love you! I hope to high five you soon one day!
ibrahim harkous @IHarkous Follow
@miakhalifa i personally have no issues and dont mind with whatever ur doing, just dont generalize, if many insult , they dont represent us
Gino Raidy, a Lebanese blogger, wrote:
I think it’s pretty great that at a time when the Lebanese government and authorities are following in the footsteps of our ultra-conservative Arab counterparts and banning porn sites in Lebanon, one of our own topped the charts of the biggest names in online porn.
Then there was this guy.
@miakhalifa when you have to watch in 240p so that the video can load #LebaneseProblems
The fuss didn’t appear to bother Khalifa too much.
Mia Khalifa @miakhalifa Follow
Doesn’t the Middle East have more important things to worry about besides me? How about finding a president? Or containing ISIS?
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/lebanon/150105/lebanon-reacts-pornhub-most-popular-pornstar-Mia-Khalifa
Mia Khalifa Is Now PornHub’s Biggest Porn Star – But Her Lebanese Compatriots Are Less Than Impressed
A popular free porn website has unveiled its number one ranked star as Lebanese-born Mia Khalifa, sparking outrage in her home country.
Khalifa usurped PornHub‘s former reigning champion Lisa Ann, who last month announced her retirement from the industry.
But Khalifa’s accolade – after just three months in the business – has been overshadowed somewhat by fascination with her Middle Eastern roots – and criticism from her fellow Arabs.
The Lebanese Examiner cites “natives… upset and offended by her work, especially because she often boasts her Lebanese heritage on Twitter and Instagram, posting photographs of her Arabic tattoo that reads ‘Koullouna lil-watan, lil’oula lil-‘alam.’ [the opening line of the Lebanese national anthem.]
“She also has another tattoo of the infamous Lebanese Forces cross on her wrist. When questioned about it, she replied: “I was born and raised there, I’m entitled to an opinion on the politics just like everyone else.”
The 21-year-old now lives in Miami, Florida, and describes herself on her Twitter account as the “unofficial mascot of the Florida State Seminoles and a pornstar in the off-season.”
Responding to the criticism on Twitter, Khalifa wrote: “Doesn’t the Middle East have more important things to worry about besides me? How about finding a president? Or containing ISIS?”
Mia Khalifa @miakhalifa Follow
Doesn’t the Middle East have more important things to worry about besides me? How about finding a president? Or containing ISIS?
She also retweeted some of the abuse she has received including descriptions of her work as “shameful” and the comment “you do realise that you’ll be the first person in Hellfire right?”
@miakhalifa You do realize that you’ll be the first person in Hellfire right?
Mia Khalifa @miakhalifa Follow
“@Muhammaad11: @miakhalifa You do realize that you’ll be the first person in Hellfire right?” I’ve been meaning to get a little tan recently
Despite the haters, Khalifa is getting some support, including from Beirut-based blogger Gino Raidy.
He wrote: “I think it’s pretty great that at a time when the Lebanese government and authorities are following in the footsteps of our ultra-conservative Arab counterparts and banning porn sites in Lebanon, one of our own topped the charts of the biggest names in online porn.
@miakhalifa am a Palestinian patriot and Palestine Ante and what you are doing is shameful
“@tumezey: @miakhalifa am a Palestinian patriot and what you are doing is shameful” aren’t you not even supposed to be on my page?? Haram.
Despite the haters, Khalifa is getting some support, including from Beirut-based blogger Gino Raidy.
He wrote: “I think it’s pretty great that at a time when the Lebanese government and authorities are following in the footsteps of our ultra-conservative Arab counterparts and banning porn sites in Lebanon, one of our own topped the charts of the biggest names in online porn.
“I don’t really care what any of you think about her career choice, after all, it’s her body to do whatever she wants with.”
In a Facebook post British-Lebanese author Nasri Atallah added: "The moral indignation… is wrong for two reasons. First and foremost, as a woman, she is free to do as she pleases with her body.
"Secondly, as a sentient human being with agency, who lives halfway across the world, she is in charge of her own life and owes absolutely nothing to the country where she happened to be born.
"For the record, I don’t think we should be particularly proud of Mia Khalifa, we should just be indifferent. She’s doing a job she chose, in a regulated industry, no different to banking.
"Actually, it’s probably more regulated than banking. I certainly don’t think she’s our last frontier against ISIS as some have suggested. She is a 21-year old in Florida who has made a decision for herself, with absolutely no wider implications."
Lebanese news site Ya Libnan points out in September that a subsidiary of Lebanon’s Ministry of Telecommunications issued a decision requesting six porn sites be blocked.
It writes: “The said decision has sparked a series of comments from critics on social media; some considered the decision as a violation of their personal freedoms, deeming it as part of the series of rulings issued by ministries and other directories imposing censorship.”
