When I heard that Netflix was working on a reality show that follows a group of wealthy Asian and American friends in Los Angeles, à la Crazy Rich Asians, I was intrigued. Listen me love reality show. I’m an avid Real housewives observer and always will be but Bling Empire it just wasn’t for me. The problem was not entirely rooted in the fact that I didn’t find anyone in the cast pleasant (OK, except for Anna sometimes), but mostly, I just don’t think this is the energy we need to get in 2021.
If we learn anything about television in 2020, it is that people want programs with content.
The show stars Kane Lim, the son of a Singapore billionaire; Christine Alexandra Chiu, the founder of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery with her husband, Dr. Gabriel Chiu; fashion influencer Jaime Xie; the “superfame DJ” Kim Lee; model Kevin Kreider; the heir to the “denim empire”, Cherie Chan; socialite Anna Shay; producer Kelly Mi Li; and actor Andrew Gray, also known as the Red Power Ranger. It features the group participating in exaggerated parties, making expensive purchases and traveling the world and, of course, there is a lot, a lot of drama. Although I understand that this is a common basis for a reality show, the timing couldn’t be more wrong.
If we learn anything about television in 2020, it is that people want to watch programs with content. They want content that will help them escape their daily lives, make them feel real emotions and solve important real life problems head on. So why do programs like The Queen’s Gambit, Schitt’s Creek, and The Umbrella Academy received so much praise last year. Bling Empire does none of those things. I’m sorry, but who honestly wants to watch a show about wealthy people who spend money frivolously and fight each other to be rich (see: #necklacegate) while dealing with a global pandemic? Please read the room.
Bling Empire it is also another example of the normalization of toxic relationships on TV. From the first episode, the producers paint Kelly and Andrew as a clearly dysfunctional couple who are in an emotionally abusive relationship, but they just can’t seem to give up on each other. We see Andrew constantly manipulating Kelly to believe that he really loves her and wants the best for her, although his actions prove otherwise. At one point, he even berates Kelly for discussing his problems with his friends and says to her, “Because whatever happens between you and me, nobody needs to know.” Viewers are expected to sympathize with Andrew when he is shown praying dramatically on his knees in the therapist’s office (after the therapist throws him out so she can talk to Kelly alone, by the way) and we learn about his childhood trauma.
If we are demanding that celebrities do more to support and talk about important causes, we must hold TV networks and streaming services accountable as well.
This manipulation and emotional abuse continues throughout the season, and yet, at no point in the show do producers or Netflix warn viewers about potentially triggering content. This is totally irresponsible socially. I understand that reality shows should reflect things exactly as they are, but the producers could have used this opportunity as a teaching moment. Rather than highlighting Kelly and Andrew’s relationship in favor of the happily ever after ending, this could have been a real opportunity to educate viewers on a subject that is rarely addressed on TV, which is much more important, if you ask me.
After all, it is 2021 and if we are demanding that celebrities do more to support and talk about important causes, we should hold TV networks and streaming services accountable as well.
If you or someone you love is in danger, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799−7233 or review the list of resources available online.