William Ma and Kelly Mi Li (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Cover William Ma and Kelly Mi Li (Photo: Lucas Rossi)

As her due day approaches, what are some of the emotions and concerns coursing through this businesswoman, fashion icon and reality TV star?

It’s an exciting time for Kelly Mi Li, the powerhouse entrepreneur and mother-to-be who quickly became a fan favourite when season one of Netflix’s Bling Empire premiered in 2021. There is less than one week to go before the arrival of her baby girl, which will be her first child with her partner, and last month she had a beautiful baby shower to celebrate!

With a new life on the way, Li’s life is about to change as she steps into the next chapter of her journey as a woman. Ahead of the big day, she talks to Tatler about what pregnancy has been like and how she feels about raising a daughter in a world that isn’t very kind to women and Asian Americans.

Read more: Kelly Mi Li of ‘Bling Empire’ on fashion and her style evolution as she navigates pregnancy

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Photo 1 of 7 (L-R) Kim Lee, Kane Lim, Kelly Mi Li, Mary Fitzgerald and Natalie Lee (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 2 of 7 (L-R) Tiffany Ma, William Ma, Kelly Mi Li and Emily Dong (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 3 of 7 William Ma and Kelly Mi Li (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 4 of 7 William Ma and Kelly Mi Li (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 5 of 7 Kim Lee (left) and Kelly Mi Li (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 6 of 7 Kane Lim (left) and Kelly Mi Li (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 7 of 7 (L-R) Chef Steve Benjamin and Chef Peleg Miron (Photo: Lucas Rossi)

What was your day like the day you found out you were pregnant, and what were your first thoughts and emotions upon finding out?
I was on FaceTime with my boyfriend when we found out the news! I had a rush of so many emotions: shock, excitement, nervousness, anxiety, gratitude and to be honest: fear.

My boyfriend, though, made all the negative emotions go away. He’s been so supportive of me, even before I was pregnant, with everything I do. We both know there’s no one else in the world we want to start a family with than each other, so having this certainty and stability wiped away all fears. 

So far, what has been the best part of your pregnancy, and what has been the most challenging?
The best part of pregnancy has been the support and love from my family and friends and also feeling those little kicks and moves inside of me. It’s so magical seeing my belly grow and experiencing firsthand how strong the female body is during pregnancy.

The most challenging part is having pregnancy brain and feeling extra tired and unmotivated some days, especially because I’ve always been an “on top of everything” type of person. All in all, I’m really surprised with how much I’m enjoying this process and so grateful I get to share this experience with my partner and loved ones. 

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Photo 1 of 7 Kelly Mi Li’s baby shower (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 2 of 7 (L-R) Moon Koo, Catherine An, Tinger Hseih, Deborah Zee (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 3 of 7 William Ma and Kelly Mi Li (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 4 of 7 (L-R) Kelly Mi Li, William Ma and Yasmine Tanres (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 5 of 7 Mary Fitzgerald (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 6 of 7 A performance by Katherine Ho (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 7 of 7 A performance by Katherine Ho (Photo: Lucas Rossi)

You are a proud advocate for gender equality and female empowerment. Will that influence your parenting style or how you will raise your child?
Yes, most definitely. I want to raise my daughter to be strong and confident, especially in moments of struggle and uncertainty. I plan to start teaching her at a very young age about the importance of self-love, knowing her worth, and empowering herself and those around her. 

You’ve also been vocal about Asian representation, the AAPI community, and racism and Asian hate. How do you feel about having a child who will grow up in a world with all that ugliness, and how will you prepare her for these challenges?
To be honest, I’m very worried about bringing my child into a society full of racism and hate. We’ve all seen the horrifying videos of our elders getting attacked or the frightening targeted armed home invasions; but knowing that our community is constantly fighting and speaking out against these hate crimes brings me hope.

That’s also why my boyfriend and I started our non-profit, Golden Voice Society, to educate people and make an impact on the habitual struggles the AAPI community has endured for many generations and is continuing to endure today. We’re hoping that the next generation can live in a society that is more equal, no matter what race or culture you are. We’ll teach our daughter about these issues, talk through emotions she might have about them, and encourage her to use her voice.

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Photo 1 of 7 Baby shower guests included Tinger Hseih and Catherine An (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 2 of 7 (Centre) Deborah Zee (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 3 of 7 Kelly Mi Li’s baby shower (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 4 of 7 Kelly Mi Li’s baby shower (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 5 of 7 Kelly Mi Li’s baby shower (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 6 of 7 Kelly Mi Li’s baby shower (Photo: Lucas Rossi)
Photo 7 of 7 Kelly Mi Li’s baby shower (Photo: Lucas Rossi)

What are you most excited about becoming a parent and what are some things you can’t wait to share with your child as they grow up?
I’m most excited about that unconditional love and bond that I’ll build with her. I’m also excited to watch her learn and explore the world and to be there to guide and support her in every way I can. I can’t wait to play dress up with her and include her in family traditions like dumpling making during Lunar New Year! 

Will becoming a parent affect your involvement in Bling Empire, and what do you think your child will think when they’re older and if they watch the show?
That’s something I’ll probably have to decide when the time comes depending on how my work life balance shifts. I think my child would be curious to see my younger self on television, and hopefully she’ll just have fun watching each episode and learn from my mistakes and success. 

Imagine this: your baby is now becoming a young adult and they stumble across this interview, what message do you have for them?
I would first tell my daughter that mum and dad are so proud of her and that she always needs to stay true to herself—even if it means going against the grain. Life isn’t always easy and there will be times when it's simpler to conform to the status quo, but it's moments like this where you need to be grounded and remember your values and beliefs. I would also tell her to stay curious and never stop learning because life is an ever-evolving journey. Lastly, I would tell her to be kind and compassionate. Those are two qualities that will serve her well in life. 

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