[5][6] Joya claimed to experience racism while growing up in the UK,[2][7] and became a "jihadi hardcore" soon after the September 11 attacks, associating with a group of fundamentalist Algerians.
[12] Joya claims she is committed to "reprogramming" extremists, and speaks at events in the US about countering extremism.
[3] On February 27, 2022, two days before the primary election for Texas's 3rd congressional district, right-wing media outlet National File posted an interview with Joya in which she discussed having a nine-month sexual affair in 2020 and 2021 with Van Taylor, Republican US Representative serving the 3rd district, who was married to another woman and was facing several primary challengers.
[10] On March 1, Taylor won a plurality but not a majority of primary votes, triggering a May 24 runoff election.
The next day, in an email to supporters, Taylor announced the suspension of his reelection campaign and admitted to an extramarital affair.
[16] The 2022 Discovery+ documentary A Radical Life presents the story of Joya and her ex-husband, John Georgelas.