Bling Empire star Leah Qin has paid a touching tribute to her late co-star Lynn Ban, who has died at age 52 just weeks after undergoing emergency brain surgery.
On December 30, Lynn revealed to fans that she had been rushed into surgery on Christmas Eve after she got into a horrific skiing accident.
After sharing details about the terrifying incident, the star revealed she was feeling ‘grateful and blessed’ to be able to see the new year following her ordeal.
However, her son Sebastian revealed in a new post on Wednesday that his mother had passed away on January 20.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, her former co-star Leah revealed she had been in ‘shock’ to learn of Lynn’s death.
‘I found out that Lynn had passed away online and I am in absolute shock,’ she explained. ‘All of the Bling family are really upset about this. No one knew about her accident.’
Bling Empire star Leah Qin has paid a touching tribute to her’genuinely sweet and happy’ late co-star Lynn Ban, who had died at age 52
Back on December 30, Lynn revealed to fans that she had been rushed in for emergency brain surgery on Christmas Eve after she got into a horrific skiing accident
She then shared sweet memories about her friend as she added: ‘Lynn was a genuinely sweet and happy person. Her persona was strong, and this is how she always presented herself and her image, but inside I know that she had such a soft heart.
‘She wasn’t the type of person to hide her feelings, and she said what she felt. A lot of the cast from Bling have grown apart since the show ended, but I kept in contact with her.’
The Netflix star continued: ‘She was a real human being. This shows me more than ever that life is so short. I enjoy every day and sometimes it is not always easy.
‘But you have to make the best out of it and this is what Lynn did. You never know what happens tomorrow.’
Noting that the sad news comes while others in the industry have also suffered devastating news this year due to the LA wildfires, Leah added: ‘Some of my friends lost homes in the Palisades and now some are losing their life.
‘If I can take anything from Lynn’s death it is to always tell your loved ones and friends that you care for them and love them. You just never know if it is the last time you will ever see them.’
The reality star noted that the incident has made her want to proceed with caution in the immediate future as she noted: ‘I am currently in St. Moritz, and I am about to go skiing tomorrow, so this makes me be very cautious.’
Sebastian revealed his mother’s death less than a month after her surgery and told fans: ‘To my mum’s followers… My mum passed away on Monday. I know she wanted to share her journey after her accident and brain surgery, so I thought she would appreciate one last post sharing the news to people who supported her.
Leah stated: ‘All of the Bling family are really upset about this… If I can take anything from Lynn’s death it is to always tell your loved ones and friends that you care for them’
Lynn’s son Sebastian announced her death on Instagram Wednesday morning, less than a month after his mother had undergone surgery for her injuries
Chart-topper Rihanna led fans and friends sending their condolences as she wrote: ‘2025 is rocking me at this point! This is too much!!!’
The singer and the New York based jewelry designer pictured together in 2017
‘Many of you followed my mum but never got the chance to know her or meet her in person. I would like to take the chance to share who my mum really was. She was and always will be my best friend, the best mother to me, and someone who cared for all.
‘She always had a smile on her face even when times were tough during her recovery process. She was a fighter until the end and is the strongest woman I know. She was the funniest and coolest mum I could ever ask for. She took care of me, my dad, and our entire family throughout her whole life.’
He continued: ‘Although she may be gone now, I will do everything I can to make sure she is never forgotten and for her life to be celebrated as it deserves to be.
‘As a final message to my mum, I would just like to say that I will miss you forever and to end in something she always told me “I love you more than life itself” mum.’
Chart-topper Rihanna led fans and friends sending their condolences as she wrote: ‘2025 is rocking me at this point! This is too much!!!
‘Lynn you will always be our fairy godmother! Love you forever and always! Can’t believe I’m writing this in a comment section rn! Thank you for all the joy you brought to us!’
Fellow Bling Empire star Dorothy Wang also commented: ‘Sebastian, we have never met but the way your mom lit up every time she spoke of you – I will never forget. I won’t forget so many wonderful things about your mother.
‘She was a true bada** yet the kindest ray of light at the same time. Yes she loved her fashion and her looks, but what truly mattered most to her was always you and your father, her tribe. We are all heartbroken.
Bling Empire castmate Dorothy Wang commented with a sweet message directed at Lynn’s son, while other stars flooded the comment section with words of condolences
Singer Kali Uchis sweetly wrote to the jewelry designer’s son: ‘My deepest condolences to you & your family, your mom looks at you with so much love, pride & joy. May her soul rest in peace knowing how loved she is by you too.
‘Though we are all strangers to you we all admired your mom greatly & will keep you in our well intentioned wishes always.’
RuPaul’s Drag Race stars also shared their condolences including Michelle Visage, Aquaria, and Detox.
Jennifer Tilly, Debi Mazar, Matthew Mazur, Brian Atwood, and Jill Kargman were also among those who paid tribute to the jewelry designer.
The debut season of Bling Empire dropped in January 2021 and the sophomore installment came in May 2022.
The third season – which had two more episodes for a total of 10 compared to the previous seasons – premiered in October 2022.
Inspired by the success of 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians, the unscripted docu-series followed affluent socialites as they partied and ran major businesses in Los Angeles.
Like any entertaining reality show, Bling Empire also had its fair share of drama, as the stars of the show kept and spilled secrets.
The reality had previously told fans that she had been on vacation in Aspen, Colorado, when she fell
It was then discovered that she had a brain bleed and needed to be airlifted to the trauma hospital for an emergency craniotomy
The debut season of Bling Empire dropped in January 2021 before the final season aired in 2022
Since its release, the show has received criticism for launching during the pandemic when an anti-Asian sentiment was at its peak in America.
Bling Empire also came under fire for perpetuating stereotypes about Asian Americans being wealthy and privileged.
On the other hand, many felt that the popularity of the series – and a spinoff show with the same premise but based in New York City – proved only heightened interest in the one percent of the Asian diaspora and was not representative of the community and identity as a whole.
Overall, the release was considered a radical move and praised for bringing inclusivity to an industry that largely lacked diversity at the time.
