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Anna Shay, star of Netflix reality show “Bling Empire,” has died at 62.
Shay’s family confirmed her death in a statement Netflix shared with USA TODAY.
“It saddens our hearts to announce that Anna Shay, a loving mother, grandmother, charismatic star, and our brightest ray of sunshine, has passed away at the early age of 62 from a stroke,” Shay’s family said. “Anna taught us many life lessons on how not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the finer things. Her impact on our lives will be forever missed but never forgotten.”
The Netflix series, which started streaming in 2021 and has run for three seasons, follows a group of wildly wealthy Asian American socialites in Los Angeles, who introduce viewers to their luxurious lifestyles filled with Botox parties and private jets.
The first season covers the petty rivalry between wealthy heiress Anna Shay and international fashionista Christine Chiu, as well as the then-love triangle between self-made entrepreneur Kelly Mi Li, model Kevin Kreider and her ex-boyfriend, “Power Rangers” actor Andrew Gray.
Shay didn’t anticipate the show’s success or the notoriety that would come from her time on “Bling Empire.”
“I wasn’t even expecting to be in front of the camera,” Shay told People in 2021. “I’m very shy and I went along with whatever situation was happening. I was just being me.”
Prior to her “Bling Empire” fame, Shay held a private life.
She was born in Japan to American industrialist Edward Shay, who founded Pacific Architects and Engineers, and to Ai Oizumi Shay, who was Russian and Japanese. Shay and her brother sold their father’s company in 2006 for $1.2 billion, according to Tatler, which profiled Shay last year.
Shay was married four times but kept her ex-husbands’ identities out of the public discussion. She had one son named Kenny Kemp, according to Variety.
“Bling Empire” co-star Kevin Kreider took to Instagram to share a tribute to Shay.
“You never know when your last goodbye will be,” he wrote. “So unexpected and wished when I saw you last for lunch I would have taken a moment to smell the roses and had one last adventure with you.
And “Bling Empire” co-star Kim Lee told Variety in a statement that Shay’s death was a “huge shock.”
“I have so much love for Anna. I know that we had issues on the show but in real life, I had such a great connection with her outside of the show,” Lee said. “We saw eye to eye, and she gave me so many words of wisdom I will never forget. There’s no one like Anna Shay; she’s an incredible and unique person who was beloved by so many people. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.”
Kelly Mi Li posted a carousel of photos with Shay on Instagram to pay her respects. “RIP @annashay93 💔💔💔 you are truly one of a kind and we will miss you forever.”
Contributing: Jenna Ryu, Naledi Ushe
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