"Bling Empire's" Christine Chiu Hopes Her In-Laws Don't Watch the Show
Christine Chiu is one of the cast members on the new Netflix reality show Bling Empire, which looks into the lives of wealthy Angelenos of Asian descent.
Speaking to OprahMag.com, Chiu opens up about her marriage, her in-laws, and drama with fellow cast member Anna Shay.
"The greatest misconception is that we just roll around in money and laugh and drink champagne and caviar all day," she says of her lifestyle.
Bling Empire begins, as so many great works of pop culture do, with a party. The cast of the Netflix reality series, a multigenerational group of wealthy Angelenos of Asian descent, gather for Christine Chiu's annual Chinese New Year fête.
A year after the sequence was filmed, Chiu and her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Gabriel Chiu, had to skip the gathering for obvious reasons (read: a global pandemic). But speaking to OprahMag.com, Christine says there were still festivities.
"I always find a way to celebrate. I think that's a very important part of life and keeping a positive outlook," she says. In 2020, she hosted an outdoor birthday party for her two-year-old son, attended by a Maroon 5 band member; an anniversary dinner in which she flew out an East Coast chef to cook out of an Airstream; and a bake-along with friends held over Zoom. "Even during shutdown, I think we can still celebrate so many things."
Now, she's rejoicing in Bling Empire. Once rumored to be joining the cast of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Chiu is officially a reality TV star—and looking at the specifics of her lavish life, it's no surprise.
Chiu, who was born in Taiwan and raised in Beverly Hills, married Dr. Gabriel Chiu, a direct descendant of the Song Dynasty, in 2006. Together, they run the successful Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery and raise a son named Gabriel—better known by his nickname, Baby G.
The couple's difficulty conceiving Gabriel, as well as her life-threatening pregnancy, are explored in the series as the Chius consider growing their family. According to Chiu, Gabriel's family shut her out for the nine years she was unable to bear a son, without knowing Gabriel was the person with fertility issues. Chiu reveals the twist during an interview. "When those words came out of my mouth I was in shock because I held it in for so long," Chiu tells OprahMag.com.
There's more to Christine than Bling Empire, though. The Chius are also active philanthropists—Chiu tells OprahMag.com she was on the board of 27 nonprofits. She also approaches haute couture the way Olympians approach their sport of choice. Her fashion week routine was given its own write-up in Harpers Bazaar. According to the piece, Chiu attends 30 fashion shows a year and buys something from each—her most expensive piece costs as much as the average American home.
Speaking to OprahMag.com, Chiu opens up about friendships (and rivalries) with cast members, like Anna Shay, with whom she bickers about Boucheron and high jewelry; the greatest misconception about her life; and her season 2 plotline. Hint: She already knows what it's going to be.
I saw you have pet llamas on Instagram. Why weren't they in Bling Empire?
I don't own them. It's a program that rescues llamas and other farm animals. We met them at a friend's home. Baby G was naturally drawn to them.
Unfortunately, during COVID and the pandemic, I think his social skills are diminishing. So rather than just being around books and toys and talking to himself, which he does quite often now, um, and to the few adults around, I thought it would be helpful to also have some llamas around. Scientifically, I don't know if you've had time to look into it, but llamas have antibodies against the virus. It's insane.
What made you interested in really sharing your life with the world through the show?
There was a growing interest in diversity on the big and small screens. We thought this posed an incredible opportunity to be a part of this movement. When Bling Empire was developed, it was poised to be the first ever all Asian ensemble cast in American television. That in itself was groundbreaking. The original version wasn't necessarily focused on the wealth, but rather on the cultural pressures and expectations that confront successful Asian Americans of varying ages in Los Angeles. I appreciate what the producers have done in hooking audiences in and cultivating this conversation through a little bit of controversy.
At one point, you reveal a secret you'd been keeping from your in-laws regarding your husband's fertility.
That was completely unscripted and really came out in the moment. There's something to be said about the right timing and the things happening for a reason. It was a surprise. When those words came out of my mouth I was in shock because I held it in for so long. I know my husband is supportive. Clearly now we have a boy—not only a child, but a boy, which is a very important thing in the Chinese culture. I would hope that my in-laws are a little bit more forgiving.
Are you hoping that your in-laws hear you through the show, and that impacts your relationship with them?
Absolutely not. I hope that they do not have Netflix and that they do not watch. I don't think I singlehandedly, in a couple of episodes, even on a global platform like Netflix, can change the thousands of years of expectations that were impressed on them and that were passed down to me. I don't endeavor to change Chinese history and expectations. But I do hope to open it up to conversation and shed a different perspective.
Part of the reason we're having this conversation is the success of Crazy Rich Asians. Did you see the movie or read the book?
I saw the movie, like millions and millions of people around the world. Aside from that beautiful backdrop and cinematography, which I was really drawn to, it was a proud moment for all Asian Americans. I think for a lot of American audiences, the storylines in Crazy Rich Asians seemed very fantastical and jaw-dropping. But for me, it was very much like, Yeah, that is the way that it is. It told the truth I've been living in a very beautiful way.
What is the biggest misconception about your life?
The greatest misconception is that we just roll around in money and laugh and drink champagne and caviar all day. I have to admit I'm a big fan of champagne and caviar—but you know, everything in moderation. We didn't get to touch on the charitable philanthropy part of our life in Bling Empire, which is a huge part: We invest 50 percent of every net dollar that comes into Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery back into our community.
Personally, people often think that I married into wealth—which is not the case. I come from a financially sound background. Or people think I sit around the house and I'm so lucky I'm married a plastic surgeon, and I don't have to do much. In fact, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery was something that I founded. Dr. Chiu was my very first employee. We've been partners ever since. My husband and I were taught to really work hard—not necessarily for the dollar, but for personal satisfaction. To wake up every day and be proud of accomplishing something.
What Bling Empire does touch on is your rivalry with Anna Shay. The two of you play games with each other. Who would you say won?
Winning is a tricky word. It depends on how you define winning. How I would define winning is being happy in life. Being happy with yourself. I would say that both can win. Only Anna can answer whether or not she feels that she won in relationship to that definition. I think we're both extremely blessed. We have health. Wealth in friendships and family. Laughter and safety. For that, we're both winners.
That was a beautifully diplomatic answer. But I'm curious how you felt when you arrived to Anna's party later than everyone else because your invitation had been altered.
Well, you know. The fun part of Anna is that she has a lot of time on her hands. She has time to come up with games. That brings her pleasure. Maybe sometimes at other peoples' expense. But if that gives her a little chuckle, that's okay. I can arrive late. I'm a big girl. I have a lot of other priorities in my life than to be bothered by a party.
And the pandemic has given you time to think of revenge plans.
Plenty of time. But the pandemic, like with everyone else, has taught us so many lessons on slowing down and reevaluating. My mother passed away during the pandemic. I was able to reflect on how I'd like to better spend my time with family and friends.
The show is about community. Would you consider the other cast members part of your inner circle?
I really enjoy the company of the other cast members and production team. There was a natural budding friendship that occurred. I think that we're all closer now than we were two years ago. In fact, I was going to host over 60 production crew members on a vacation to Cancun for Cinco de Mayo. Then, of course, COVID occurred and we couldn't go.
With regards to the other cast members, Cherie has become a really good friend of mine. We are plotting the marriage of our children. Of course, I need someone to pass my couture down to, because I don't know if Baby G is into it right now—he's very much into garbage trucks right now.
I've known Kelly for a decade. She was in another line of business before. She's very entrepreneurial. Kane, I adore. He's a fun plus-one anywhere. Kevin cracks me up. Anna, I've even had a couple of dinners with without claws coming out. I do genuinely adore the cast.
Would you be open to filming a second season?
Of course. Isn't that always the goal? To tickle, tease, and invite people back for more?
What will your plot line be for season 2?
Oh, if you thought I dropped a big bomb in season 1, you have no idea. There's something even greater. It's going to be an, Oh my god first. That I hope will touch many people on many levels that is also timely in our climate.
Do you go about your daily life thinking, This will be good for the show?
No, I wish my capacity were there. As we speak, I'm installing 30 more security cameras around the house. I've lit up my house like it's the Empire State Building. I'm adding more guns. Both my husband and I have been training with ex-SWAT trainers. I can stop, drop, roll, and run with guns in both hands now. I can shoot while running on both hands.
Why have you taken this up?
I know I seem like a girly girl because of my love for fashion and all things sparkly. But I'm actually quite adventurous. I'll try anything. I've always shot guns. In the past I've done archery.
But you're getting military training.
Yeah, we are. We have the ex-SWAT trainer come into the house. We role-play different, uh, points of intrusion. We have guns strategically placed everywhere in the house and we know what to do and how to react in different circumstances.
Yesterday I put my entire household staff through a fire drill. I've been evacuated twice in the last month-and-a-half. Both my Malibu and Bel Air property due to the California fires. This time, I know it sounds terrible, but I dropped emergency ladders out of different windows and I timed them going down, um, carrying a big teddy bear and luggage. It's one thing to be able to do it—but they have to do it quickly if there's a fire.
Do you not feel safe?
I almost never feel safe. You have to always be on your guard.
What is your zodiac sign? I was trying to guess.
What is your guess?
Sagittarius.
Yes, I am a Sagittarius! My husband is a Leo. My son is a Cancer.
Is there anything else that you want people to know about you that the show doesn't address?
Contrary to perception, I really do feel a strong responsibility to have meaning in my life in a way that helps others and to give back. If I die today, I want to make sure that I've impacted people positively and their lives positively. Above personal achievement and accomplishment, beyond adding zeroes in my bank account, even past collecting more couture, and even past making my son the most successful boy in history. My greatest and sole priority is to leave a positive footprint on this world.
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