They’re rich, they’re fabulous and they’re here to demonstrate Asian excellence. Season 1 of Bling Empire: New York follows a group of movers and shakers in the Big Apple, capturing their extravagant lifestyles, friendships and rivalries. This docusoap premieres on Netflix Jan. 20.
Born and raised in Beverly Hills, Dorothy is a socialite who hopes moving to New York will “roughen and toughen” her up and encourage her to take more risks. She’s eager to enter the dating scene and make new friends but is slow to warm up to others.
Contrary to how she and her friends might come off on camera, Dorothy tells Tudum: “In our normal life, we’re so fun and a pleasure to be around. We’re good energy.”
Dorothy previously appeared on the reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.
You can follow Dorothy on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Richard runs a medical group specializing in alternative medicine and describes his girlfriend, Vika, and himself as being “bling-adjacent.” He’s always hustling to build up his brand and court more high-profile clients. In his personal life, he feels he’s found his partner in Vika but is waiting for the right moment to move their relationship forward.
To others in the group, Vika seems timid and inseparable from her boyfriend, Richard, but she’s determined to show she’s her own person.
“I was once in a gang. I was in middle school, but we were still badasses. And it was mostly girls,” Vika says. “We didn’t beat anyone up. It was a way for us to hang out and pretend to be tough.”
The so-called “Blair Waldorf of Thailand,” Nam is used to getting whatever she wants. But now, as she’s finishing up graduate school, she finds herself at a crossroads: Either she returns home or stays in New York and faces being cut off financially.
Fashion influencer Tina is close friends with Dorothy and introduces her to her social circle in New York. Supporting herself financially, Tina must stay on top of the latest trends and build relationships within the fashion world. But don’t be fooled by her glitzy tastes — she’s also a connoisseur of junk food.
You can follow Tina on Instagram and TikTok.
Blake wouldn’t be caught dead working at a bank and finds he’s best able to express himself as a fashion magazine editor. He’s also exploring his sexuality and anxious about expectations to start a family from his Chinese relatives. While he loves the grittiness and glamour of New York, he still gets homesick.
“I grew up in Vancouver, so I really yearn for the ocean and the mountains, or just greenery in general when I’m in New York… I like to go along the East River even and sit underneath the FDR and have all the Chinese po pos and gong gongs doing their exercises ’cause it’s very nice and reminds me of home.”
Lynn is a couture jewelry designer with an edgy fashion sense who’s not afraid to give her opinion and pulls no punches. Her success leaves her husband, Jett Kain, feeling overshadowed, and she has to negotiate his desire to step aside from their business and pursue his own endeavors.
You can follow Lynn on Instagram.
Billionaire Stephen loves to lavish gifts on his wife, Deborah, and be out and about with her at a fashion or art show. He doesn’t care if others are put off by him being older than his wife and lives as he pleases.
You can follow Stephen on Instagram.
Stephen’s wife, Deborah, is from Mexico and was set to become a lawyer before they met. She doesn’t take insults lightly and clashes with Dorothy after their first encounter.
You can follow Deborah on Instagram.
