Heart Evangelista treated to Filipino meal in 'Bling Empire' cameo

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 6) — Filipino actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista ended all speculations and finally appeared in the Netflix reality show "Bling Empire."

She showed up in the ninth episode of the series' third season released on Wednesday. Socialite Kane Lim hosted a special dinner with other "Bling Empire" mainstay, film producer Kelly Mi Li, to celebrate Evangelista's Filipino roots. The table included a fancy mango cake and a meal served on a coconut shell.

Evangelista was introduced in the show as Lim's "celebrity friend." The real estate mogul also gushed about her by describing her as "one of the most influential influencers in the world."

During the party, Evangelista — who is rumored to be facing marital woes with her husband Chiz Escudero — was also asked questions on the advantages of dating Filipino men.

Hours after the season streamed on Netflix, Lim celebrated the release by thanking Evangelista for gracing the reality series that gives a glimpse of the lives of rich and famous Asians.

"Bling Empire" is hailed as the first American reality television series with a main cast who are all East and South East Asians living in the United States — basically a TV version of the film "Crazy Rich Asians" but real life.

Fans first speculated that Evangelista might appear on the show after Lim posted a video with the actress and Mi Li in August 2021.