Mia Khalifa, the former adult film actress, has recently disclosed her total earnings from her brief time in the adult industry, amounting to $12,000, which is approximately Rs 8.5 lakhs. Despite her short three-month stint, she remains one of the most searched names in the industry, even topping the list in 2018. Khalifa faced significant controversy in 2014 when a film she featured in showed her wearing a hijab, resulting in death threats from ISIS.
In a recent interview with Megan Abbott, Khalifa clarified misconceptions about her past, stating, "A lot of things online are wrong. Many still think I do porn. I haven’t done it in five years." In a Twitter video, she explained that her time in the adult industry was not financially rewarding, stating, "People think I’m making millions from porn—completely untrue. I made around $12,000 total and never saw any more after that." This brings her monthly income during her adult film career to just about Rs 2.83 lakhs, which raises questions about the financial prospects of the industry.
Khalifa also mentioned the challenges she faced in finding a regular job after leaving the adult film scene. She expressed frustration over misconceptions regarding her earnings, emphasizing that while she didn’t expect to make millions, the misunderstandings about her income were bothersome. Now pursuing a career as a sports presenter, Khalifa believes in second chances, stating, "Everyone deserves a second chance."
In contrast, other industry figures have reported significantly higher incomes. For instance, Johnny Sins, a top male star, is said to earn around Rs 3.8 crore per month, largely from adult films, sponsorships, and his YouTube channel. Sunny Leone, who transitioned from the adult film industry to Bollywood, has an estimated net worth of around $2.5 million, attributing her success to her past experiences.
Another notable figure, Renee Gracie, switched from race car driving to the adult film industry, where she now earns about $25,000 weekly from her subscription-based website. Gracie gained considerable attention when she revealed that she made $24,000 in her first six days in the adult industry, leading to over 5,000 subscribers and earnings as high as $65,000 in just three days. Despite some backlash regarding her career change, Gracie remains confident, stating, “It has put me in a financial position I could never have dreamt of, and I really enjoy it."
