Kelly Mi Li is suing Jeff Jenkins for taking her concept of Bling Empire and not giving her credit.

On April 28, 2022, Li, Bling Empire star, filed a complaint against Jenkins, producer of well-known shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Total Divas, in a Los Angeles district court.

According to PEOPLE, Li claims that she came up with idea for Bling Empire; a reality show that features an all Asian-American cast living the luxurious life in LA. It stars her own social circle. Li exclusively shared with E! News, «Hopefully, with the success of Crazy Rich Asians, we’re going to be able to create more roles behind the camera and in front of the camera.»

Kelly Mi Li was driven to create more Asian representation. She told Jenkins about her Bling Empire concept in 2018. Season one of the Netflix reality series endured three years of development. It wrapped in 2019 and aired in January 2021. Season two premiered in May 2022.

They entered a one-year agreement in May 2018. The clause for extension required Jenkins to begin negotiations with a buyer before May 2019. Jenkins was in talks with Netflix before his contract with Li expired, however she claims in her lawsuit that defendants «failed and refused to perform» the terms.

Li and Jenkins worked together for months to develop the show. Li’s complaint states, «leading to the successful sale» to Netflix. It included that Jeff Jenkins Productions and Bongo, LLC «took and exploited Plaintiff Li’s concept and materials, and entered into agreements creating obligations.» Allegedly, Jenkins didn’t fulfill his agreement to pay and credit Li executive producer of Bling Empire.

The court documents state Li is «entitled to» an episodic fee of 25 percent and 100 percent of Jenkins’ executive producer fee for each episode she produced with him and a 5 percent annual increase. Currently is she credited as a producer on some episodes.

 «Additionally, Plaintiff Li was to receive contingent compensation in the amount of 20 percent of 100 percent of the Modified Adjusted Gross received and retained from Jenkins for the Project or from any derivative work,» the claim added.

Li is also asking for damages (money) with an accounting of the funds that were borrowed and invested.