Kelly Mi Li: Building an Empowered Empire
Photographer: Malik Daniels | @mdanielsphoto
Stylist: Venk Modur| @modur_style
Assisted by: Lawrence Williams | @lawowill
Makeup Artist: Amy Galloway | @amiigalloway
Hair and Makeup Artist: Brooke Tokar | @brooketokarbeauty
Bling Empire’s Kelly Mi Li talks about women empowerment, supporting the Asian community, philanthropy, and her latest business ventures!
Dress: Lynne Carter @lynne_carter_atelier
Ring: Maison Louella @maisonlouella
Bracelet: Maison Louella @maisonlouella
Earrings: Debora A. Malouf @dmjewelrydesigns
1. We’re so excited to see the new season of Bling Empire! Are there any sneak peaks or behind-the-scenes stories that you can share with us?
We can’t wait to share the new season and more of our culture with the world! Be ready for lots more glam and fun but also some very intimate and personal moments. We are so excited for the audience to get to know us more and even meet a couple new friends along the way. What I can promise you is a lot of O.M.G. moments, laughter, and tears. There’s definitely a lot to unpack this coming season!
2. What are some of your favorite places in Los Angeles?
What I love about LA is that there are so many different neighborhoods with their own personalities. There are an endless amount of activities you can do. Some of my favorites are hiking in Temescal Canyon Trail in Malibu with my dog, Sophia, eating at hidden gems in Koreatown and taking a sunset run on the strand in Santa Monica.
3. As someone who is passionate about women empowerment, what are the ways in which you empower other women? What are some ways in which you stay empowered yourself?
I do my best to help further the conversation and speak out on important issues, such as mental health and equality, that affect women every day. I’ve learned that using my voice and being a part of the change has been so empowering. Similar to the saying “empowered women empower women,” I have become so much more empowered by taking control of my own voice and surrounding myself with a group of inspiring women.
4. It is incredible that you are providing Asian representation in television! What does this accomplishment mean to you and why?
As an Asian American growing up, I didn’t have a lot of role models who looked like me in the media, so knowing that what I’m doing is helping add more representation truly means so much to me. With more diversity and representation, we can show the younger generation that anything is possible regardless of your ethnicity or where you come from. We can provide more equal opportunities and ultimately make a positive change together for future generations.
5. It’s amazing that you spoke out about the rise in Asian hate crimes and that you partnered with the Hate is a Virus organization on the commUNITY Action Fund! Why is this organization important to you? How did you help forward the initiatives against Asian hate crimes?
Supporting the Asian community resonates with me on many levels, so working with Hate Is A Virus on the commUNITY Action Fund to uplift AAPI voices and build solidarity with other communities has been an honor. In Asian culture, we are taught to remain silent and keep our problems private. However, with the rise in hate crimes, I knew it was an issue that we needed to talk about. The journey ahead to fight against all hate crimes is long, but speaking out to help raise awareness and start important conversations is the first step.
“So, when I started my self-discovery journey and embraced my mental health, my life completely changed. I believe that being vulnerable and open about my mental health journey and going to therapy helps normalize these issues.”
6. I absolutely love that you are passionate about mental health awareness! Why is this issue important to you? What have you done to help forward the agenda to help destigmatize mental illnesses?
In Asian culture, mental health isn’t a topic that is normally discussed, and it is often brushed aside. So, when I started my self-discovery journey and embraced my mental health, my life completely changed. I believe that being vulnerable and open about my mental health journey and going to therapy helps normalize these issues. At the end of the day, mental health affects all of us and is a topic that needs to be discussed more.
7. How do you take care of your own mental health?
I try to focus on my mental health by integrating daily activities that help me disconnect, self-reflect, and relax. Going on short outdoor walks throughout the day and not being on my phone right when I wake up and an hour before I go to bed allows me to unplug. I’ve also learned how important it is to have people that you can confide in whether it’s your therapist, friends, or family members. Taking care of your mental health isn’t a task you have to do alone.
8. What inspired you to invest in over 20 startup companies? Tell us about the new fund you have recently joined.
Being a serial-entrepreneur, I know how exciting and nerve racking it can be to have a startup. I’ve been in similar situations in my own career, so having the chance to help others with their startups is something that speaks to my heart. I have always done startup investments in the past through my incubator, but recently, I’ve become part of a new fund called Teja Ventures. This fund is dedicated to investing in female tech companies in Asia and bringing change to the tech industry. I believe that technology is constantly growing and evolving, influencing our entire world, and making a huge difference in our future.
9. What advice do you have for other entrepreneurial women who want to follow a similar path to yours? Do you have any career tips that have come from personal experience?
My advice to other entrepreneurial women is to walk in the room like you belong there. Be confident in your own abilities and what you bring to the table. I’ve learned from personal experience that every challenge is a learning opportunity, and how you value and present yourself in the face of adversity is what counts.
Dress: Kimia Arya @kimiaaryasilk
Earrings: Maison Louella @maisonlouella
Bracelet & Necklace: Amulet by D Jewelry @amuletbyd_jewelry
10. As someone who has worked in many different career fields, including producing television and film and being a managing partner at East West Artists, you are definitely an inspiration to so many people, especially Asian women. What are some accomplishments you are most proud of in your career and why?
I’m very blessed to have had a great career in different fields. However, I had my fair share of ups and downs. Through all of this, being able to build a career that speaks to so many of my passions, such as mental health, culture, and community, has made me most proud. Moving forward, I want to make sure everything I do is cause based and can positively impact our community.
11. Can you tell us more about your Michael Shannon film, Echo Boomers? What role did you have in the making of this film? What do you think makes this film special? What is this film about?
Yes, Echo Boomers is a crime drama based on a true story about a group of college graduates who decide to steal from the rich when faced with an unfair economy. This story was very interesting to me because it focuses on the struggles of economic status and privilege. As a producer on the project, I was drawn to the real-life stories portrayed and how it took place in Chicago, which is where I grew up. I love true stories and think it’s important to showcase these types of narratives.
12. Which of your philanthropic pursuits are you most proud of? What are some ways in which you have used your platform to change the world?
It is hard to say which one I am most proud of, but one of the most memorable work I did was with Pencils of Promise, a charity dedicated to building schools and providing better education to developing countries. I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala where I did hands-on work and witnessed firsthand the change in progress. With my platform, I try my best to be mindful of important issues and speak out whenever I can. By using my voice, I hope to encourage others to feel welcomed to do the same.
Dress: Temraza @temraza
Earrings: ADIBA @adiba.official
Bracelet: Georgina Jewelry @georginajewelryofficial
Ring: Veronica Tharmalingam @veronicatharmalingam