If you haven t fallen down the glamorous rabbit hole that is Netflix s
Bling Empire, you re missing out on some juicy drama. The reality show follows a group of super wealthy Asians living in Los Angeles (think
Crazy Rich Asians IRL) as they navigate their close-knit social scene and find extravagant ways to spend their fortunes.
The first episode sets up an intense rivalry between Anna Shay, the daughter of a weapons billionaire, and Christine Chiu, whose husband is a direct descendant of the Song dynasty. During Christine s over-the-top Chinese New Year party where she shuts down Rodeo Drive (casual), the two spar over jewels, parties, and hotel suites. As castmate and fellow millionaire heir Kane Lim points out: Fuck, there can t be two queens!
Bling Empire shows the extravagances of LA s ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ – and I can t stop watching it
Epic rivalries, self-serving philanthropy, couture and major spending power – it s a whole new world
Kelly Mi Li
Credit: Netflix
I thought I couldn’t stand reality TV, yet in the most dispiriting moments of lockdown I found myself turning on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Atlanta and New York in a bid for relief, half paying attention. There are some cracking episodes, but mostly it turns out to be filled with petty arguments invented for airtime.
All that changed when I lost last weekend to a new show: Bling Empire. Charting the extravagances of the real-life ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ of Los Angeles, it is a kaleidoscope of diamonds, couture and power. And its stars exhibit the kind of spending muscle Real Housewives can only dream of.