Christine Chiu, star and producer of Netflix’s hit series Bling Empire tells us what her in-laws thought of the show, how she almost made it onto The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and her fondest fashion week memory so far
When Tatler spoke to Christine Chiu from Netflix’s hit Bling Empire for the June issue, it was nearly impossible to squeeze all the juicy details into the magazine. Here are 11 new things we discovered about the reality TV star that didn’t all make the cut in print.
Related: 'Bling Empire' Star Christine Chiu On The Netflix Hit And The Importance Of Asian Representation
1. On the importance of speaking out about her fertility issues:
“I was compelled to share the struggles and triumphs of my fertility journey, which were compounded with very traditional Asian expectations and pressures. I hoped that by opening up about the otherwise taboo topic, it would encourage dialogue and specifically, ignite encouragement, empathy and support for those struggling. I hoped that my struggles and eventual success would bring comfort to those currently undergoing treatment.”
2. On her relationship with her conservative in-laws:
“I would like to make a formal apology to my in-laws for my inadvertently dragging them into this global series without their consent. While I was considered the black sheep of the family for not ‘carrying my weight’ and providing a male heir prior to my son [Gabriel Christian Chiu III, known as “Baby G” by the family], I have not been treated poorly since his birth. I may not agree with their expectations and would not impose those on Baby G’s future wife, but I do understand that there were centuries and generations of pressure that was then transferred onto me. I often wonder if my mother-in-law experienced similar treatment when she married my father-in-law. I respect their familial and cultural traditions, and by marrying into the Chiu family, I implicitly agreed to comply to the best of my abilities. Regardless, I am hoping and praying that their Netflix account is somehow deactivated and malfunctioning. I have worked hard for over a decade to earn their trust and acceptance, and I hope that they are able to see that I’ve come from a good place, that I do love and respect their son [husband, Dr. Gabriel Chiu], and that I am—regardless of our troubled history together—very proud to be part of their family.”