Is Bling Empire real or scripted? This cast member just confirmed the truth

Bling Empire became an instant hit after dropping on Netflix back in 2021. But as we watch all the glitz, glam and drama unfold, many begged the age-old question we always have when it comes to outrageous reality TV shows—is Bling Empire real or scripted? 

Now that Bling Empire season 2 is coming  our way on Friday May 13, we're ready for our next dose of the fabulous lives of the Asian-American elites in Los Angeles and of course, all the drama that comes along with their lavish lifestyles. But is it all real?

Is Bling Empire real or scripted? 

Despite what we've seen from all the shows like Bling Empire, the Netflix series is actually not scripted at all, you'll be pleased to know - or at least that's what the cast and creators of Bling Empire claim. 

Last year, cast member Kevin Kreider spoke out on the topic after much speculation from fans, telling E!: "To me, it's 100 percent [real]. I know for what I went through, that was so real.

He added: "I even talked to the producers, and I said, 'Does this happen often in reality?' They said they pray for stuff like this because it's gold. It's real."

And Kevin is probably right. As we know, most reality TV shows are formed by producers who throw a group of people together and expect them to become friends, though of course, that doesn't exactly go to plan—not without plenty of trials and tribulations at least. But Bling Empire differs slightly as this cast is actually all familiar with one another. 

The rich Asian-American community in LA is small and tight-knit, as we were told in the very first episode. So it doesn't come as a surprise that many of the cast members either have some sort of relationship off-camera (like Anna Shay and Christine Chiu who are the show's frenemies, and Kane and Kevin who seem to have a genuine friendship) or have at least come across one another in a previous social setting. Naturally, that adds to the authenticity of the show. Why? Well, it's a lot easier to believe the drama between the cast is real if their relationships are real. 

Speaking of the cast in an interview with Oprah magazine (opens in new tab), showrunner Brandon Panaligan said: "We tapped into the energy of a group who already know each other and are invested in each other's lives. That's the magic in starting a show like this - it's not forced. We brought our cameras into a world that was already there."

While Bling Empire does include the typical reality TV elements we often see in shows like The Real Housewives franchise—such as catty drama at fancy events, gossipy hearsay, and bickering among the cast—some viewers have praised it for tapping into more touching storylines. For example, in season one, cast member Christine Chiu opened up about her potential surrogacy, while DJ Kim Lee embarked on a journey to track down her estranged biological father.

Kevin's honest account of his upbringing and struggle with identity is another element that made the show feel 'real'. The model shared his background on the show, explaining that he is of Korean descent but doesn't know much about the Asian community and culture as he was adopted and raised by white parents in Pennsylvania. 

"I really hope people give this show a chance and look beyond the fancy stuff, the bling because underneath all of that are real Asian-American stories. It's not just about making money and spending it," Kreider told Newsweek (opens in new tab) when season one dropped. "These are real human stories—people trying to find their identity and connect with others, getting over insecurities and abandonment, finding their past and their family, and finding their place in the world." 

Season two is set to dive even deeper into the personal lives of the cast, according to Panaligan. "There are so many layers to all of them. So the second season, I’d expect to see more parts of their lives that we didn’t see before, meet more of their friends, meet more of their family and just kind of broaden it out so we can know them a lot more," he said in an interview with Yong Chavez on YouTube. 

What do fans of Bling Empire think?

The topic has been a conversation on Twitter and Reddit since the show premiered, with many struggling to wrap their hands around the fact that people actually live with the level of luxury we're shown on the show. 

"Is Bling Empire real or is it a mockumentary like The Office? It has mockumentary vibes," one viewer tweeted. (opens in new tab) Meanwhile, another wrote (opens in new tab): "People are this rich like rich rich? how are you getting money from everything Anna? Also all that jewellery is real? !#BlingEmpire". 

On the other hand, despite the show creators and cast insisting that everything is real, some viewers simply weren't convinced after watching. "On my first episode of Bling Empire and it feels painfully scripted," someone tweeted (opens in new tab). 

Similarly, another viewer tweeted, referencing Kelly and Andrew's troubled relationship: "Has anyone watch Bling Empire on Netflix? It has to be scripted, cause that Red Power Ranger Guy has to be acting. He hella manipulative. He got crazy eyes too," and plenty others agreed.

But whether it is scripted or not, one thing is for sure: it's incredibly entertaining and super binge-worthy which are the two key elements we need in a decent reality show. Bring on the season two viewing party!