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.

Congrats @MiaKhalifa currently the #1 ranked pornstar on Pornhub taking the crown from Lisa Ann 》》 pic.twitter.com/f2ppCtD0tP — Pornhub Katie (@Pornhub) December 28, 2014

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.

@miakhalifa This will be so funny when you die and find out there is a God hahahahahaha — Muhammad Khalaf (@Muhammaad11) January 3, 2015

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.

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! — Nemr Abou Nassar (@NEMRCOMEDY) January 2, 2015

@miakhalifa i personally have no issues and dont mind with whatever ur doing, just dont generalize, if many insult , they dont represent us — ibrahim harkous (@IHarkous) January 4, 2015

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 — (@marcnims) January 5, 2015

The fuss didn’t appear to bother Khalifa too much.