Bling in New York: Sparkle, Struggles & Why Dorothy Wang Carried the Whole Show

: Bling in New York: Sparkle, Struggles & Why Dorothy Wang Carried the Whole Show

Streaming Platform: Netflix
Review by Spencer Whitelow

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Let’s get into it.

Netflix’s Bling in New York had all the makings of a good reality escape—glitz, gossip, a fresh backdrop, and of course, a touch of bougie drama. But while the city lights were bright, some of the personalities were dim. I’m looking at you, Michael.

From the moment the show started, it was clear who the real star was: Dorothy Wang. Stylish, shady, and effortlessly funny, Dorothy gave us what we came for. She understood the assignment. The hair? Right. The shade? Precise. The confessionals? Chewed. Honestly, if producers had just followed her around for eight episodes, they might’ve struck gold.

Michael, on the other hand…

Whew. What a letdown.

There’s a difference between being soft-spoken and simply not being present. Every time the camera cut to Michael, the energy dropped like a bad Wi-Fi signal. He seemed distant, disengaged, and—let’s be real—possibly dealing with something deeper, like depression. If that’s the case, I genuinely hope he’s getting support and healing, but reality TV might not have been the right space for him. Watching him try to keep up with the group dynamics felt uncomfortable, and not in the juicy, "ooh what’s about to happen" way—more like watching someone who desperately needed a break.

And yet, the show shined when we weren’t focused on him.

The side cast brought enough NYC flavor to keep things spicy. The dinners, the petty fights, the luxury shopping trips that felt like scenes from a movie we couldn’t afford to star in—it all gave. There was just enough tension to keep the group scenes bubbling, especially when Dorothy was in the mix navigating friendships and fashion with her signature snark.

Final Thoughts:

Bling in New York had potential, and when it leaned into its stronger personalities, it delivered. But dragging along a cast member who clearly wasn’t mentally checked in dragged down the pacing and vibe. This isn’t a therapy session—it’s a reality show. Let’s not forget that.

Here’s hoping that if there’s a Season 2, it comes with a recast and a tighter focus on those who know how to bring it. And by “those,” I mean Dorothy Wang and whoever can keep up with her.

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Rating: 3.5/5 stars — Sparkled in places, but some scenes were straight-up snoozes.

Would you watch a Dorothy-only spin-off in NYC? Drop your thoughts!