When the newest hit reality series Bling Empire made its debut, we were all expecting the interpersonal dramas and frenemy fakery we've come to know and love. It's synonymous with reality shows about the rich. However, the cast of Asian and Asian-American and über wealthy friends living in Los Angeles surprised us. They often get along remarkably well. Their emotional authenticity with one another stood out. Kane helped Cherie walk through the grief of losing her mother. Kane helped Kevin work through his feelings when coming to terms with his identity as an adopted Korean-American. Even though Kevin once asked Kelly, "Were you raised by wolves?!" in response to Kelly's incredibly immature choice to stand by as a penis pump was thrown out of the window of Anna Shay's home, both he and Kane were there for Kelly on her search for her long-estranged father. Each and every one of this cast has a softer side. That's what the show does so well. Despite the ostentatious wealth displayed by these fabulous elites, their emotional journeys are still relatable, even, when it comes to the show's so-called villain.
Christine Chiu was immediately cast as the villain when she showed up at Anna Shay's dinner party wearing the same Louis Vuitton high jewelry necklace that Anna owned. She and her husband, celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Gabriel Chiu, were cast down to the opposite end of the dinner table for the faux pas. All night, Christine talked smack about Anna's paperweight party favor, which was apparently no match for her own Lunar New Year party favor (sponsoring a Chinese orphan). She made snide remarks about how she'd love to teach Anna better ways to utilize her ingenuity and money. She told the viewers Anna was no match for her, younger, flawless self. With every defensive remark she made, viewers' hatred grew. Who was this woman who needed to attack the character of our Queen Anna Shay?
As the season continued, Christine revealed how difficult it had been for her to get pregnant with her son, Baby G. She talked about how hard it was for her to bear her in-laws' (who are supposedly descendants of Song Dynasty royalty) very obvious disappointment in her. Her pregnancy was painful and nearly cost her her life. When Dr. Gabriel approached Christine about wanting a second child, we understood why she would be more than hesitant to go through it all over again. When Dr. Gabriel suggested surrogacy, we understood Christine's fear of withstanding even more of her in-laws' judgment and disapproval. However, at the end of the day, she was still portrayed as the catty woman who tried, desperately, to compete with everyone, particularly the incomparable Anna Shay. As it turns out, there is a whole other side to this much-maligned TV show villain.
Christine isn't the housewife walking around in couture and high jewelry that the show depicts her to be. Rather, Christine is a businesswoman who walks "around in sweats and Uggs" taking care of business. Her "husband's" famous plastic surgery med spa, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery? Christine founded the company and Dr. Gabriel was her first employee. She sits on the board of 27 non-profits. What is perhaps most interesting is that she and her husband do military training with an ex-SWAT team member to ready themselves for everything, from a home invasion to a fire.
There is more to this woman than meets the eye. As for Bling Empire season 2, Christine says her planned plotline is "going to be an, 'Oh my god' first." We can't wait!
Bling Empire is now streaming on Netflix