Celebrity3 min(s) read
Mia Khalifa shares 'never before seen X-ray of naked body' to ‘reclaim’ image after quitting adult films
Mia Khalifa has offered a striking new take on nudity after sharing a series of X-ray images of her body on Instagram. The former adult film star collaborated on the unusual shoot as part of a project with SHOWstudio, presenting images that reveal her body in a completely different way.
Khalifa, whose real name is Sarah Joe Chamoun, first rose to global attention during a short but highly controversial period in the pornographic industry. She later left the business after only a few professional shoots and has since spoken openly about the pressures she faced during that time.
Today, Khalifa has shifted her focus toward activism and business. She now works as a fashion entrepreneur and jewellery brand owner while continuing to speak publicly about her experiences and the impact her brief career had on her life.
X-ray shoot offers a new take on nudity
The images were created during a peculiar photo shoot with SHOWstudio, which captured Khalifa’s body using X-ray technology in several different poses. In the images, she also wears jewellery from her own brand, Sheytan.
SHOWstudio shared the photos online and explained the idea behind the concept.
"Icon and activist @miakhalifa reinterprets the power of the body with her SHOWstudio Boxset contribution. ‘Never-before-seen’ nudes, offer a witty and personal take on the concept of nudity, reclaiming her own image with X-Rays, wearing jewellery from her brand Sheytan."
The project presents nudity in a way that avoids traditional imagery while still allowing Khalifa to take control of how her body is shown publicly.
How a controversial video launched her fame
Khalifa originally became famous after appearing in a controversial video where she posed in a hijab and spoke Arabic. The clip sparked global attention and later led to threats from the terrorist organisation ISIS.
Speaking to The New York Times, Khalifa explained how quickly the situation escalated after entering the industry.
"I became infamous by accident. I entered the adult industry in October of 2014, and very quickly I was pressured to perform in a video where the context was that I was an Arab veiled woman," she said.
She continued: "The intent was to exploit the fact that I was Arabic and spoke Arabic, and I went through with it.
"Not long after, I would say maybe a couple hours after it premiered, the avalanche started.
"Every news outlet picked it up, and everybody had an opinion. I was completely out of control of my image, my reputation."
Although she left the industry after just a few weeks, Khalifa later said the attention made it difficult to return to a normal job because she was still being recognized and judged.
Life after the adult industry
Despite the difficulties she faced after leaving porn, Khalifa has built a successful career online and in fashion. She joined OnlyFans after quitting the industry and reportedly earned well over $6 million per month from her account.
However, she has said that controlling how she appears online is extremely important to her now. Khalifa avoids explicit nudity and sets clear boundaries for the content she shares.
She told The New York Times, "I don’t do nudity past what I’ve done in a fashion magazine, which is like a see-through shirt or something.
"So I feel secure, and the audience that I’ve cultivated on that platform knows what they’re in for."
Her latest X-ray images appear to continue that approach by presenting a creative interpretation of nudity while allowing her to shape how her image is seen.