Bling Empire season two will challenge anti-Asian prejudice: cast members Christine Chiu, Kevin Kreider, Kelly Li Mi and Kane Lim talk fighting hate and supporting the AAPI community

Apr 8 , 2021

Kane Lim, Kelly Mi Li and Kevin Kreider, cast members of Netflix’s Bling Empire, unite to tackle prejudice as the seconds series is set to focus on weightier issues. Photo: @kellymili/Instagram

Expect less bling and more issues in season two: Kelly Mi Li joined castmates Kevin Kreider and Kane Lim in a music video for The Hotel Lobby to #StopAsianHate

Tinger Hseih connected with social media outlets NextShark, Asian Hustle Network and Clubhouse, while Christine Chiu and Kane Lim encouraged community donations

With Netflix’s smash hit reality series Bling Empire renewed amid a time of unprecedented prejudice towards Asian people in the US, viewers can expect more attention on social injustice and charity work in the forthcoming second season.

The extremely popular show may feature a plethora of bling and Beverly Hills shopping, but being able to make a difference in the world and donating to numerous charities is of equal importance to the cast.

#StopAsianHate campaign. Photo: @kellymili/Instagram

“We’re making noise, speaking out, and starting conversations to spread love and hope in the face of hate,” cast member and executive producer Kelly Mi Li told STYLE. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to use my platform to speak out and support our AAPI community.”

In response to the rise in AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) hate crimes, Mi Li has partnered with Hate Is A Virus on a Community Action Fund to raise US$1 million for the AAPI community.

Bling Empire cast members Kane Lim, Kelly Mi Li and Kevin Kreider. Photo: @kellymili/Instagram

“Now more than ever, we need to unite and show our support to those in need,” she said. “As a human being, it is our duty to support one another and come together.”

Social media marketing expert Tinger Hseih, who appeared briefly during one of the Bling Empire episodes and is Mi Li’s close friend, is helping her to connect with Asian social media outlets like NextShark and Asian Hustle Network, and co-hosted rooms in Clubhouse to uplift the community.

“Kelly matched the first US$25,000 in donations to help kick-start the fund,” Hseih told STYLE. “Our #StopAsianHate initiative isn’t only for the AAPI community, it’s for all of us. Uniting against hate in any community shows our solidarity as a whole.”