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Three Generations of Strength, Spice, and Legacy: A Mother’s Day Moment with Kelly Mi Li
Interview by Aleksandar TOMOVIC
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the incredible power of legacy through three generations of women: Kelly Mi Li, her mother Emily, and her daughter Mili. Known for her work as a producer and entrepreneur, Kelly has gracefully stepped into a new role, motherhood, while continuing to innovate with purpose, heart, and a whole lot of flavor. In an exclusive conversation following a stunning three-generation photo shoot, Kelly opens up about the bonds that shape her, the lessons passed down, and the joy of watching her daughter take her first bite of caviar. This is a story of tradition and transformation, one meal and one moment at a time.
This Mother’s Day, you’re celebrating with your mom, Emily, and your daughter, Mili. How does it feel to share this special day with three generations of women in your family?
It’s honestly hard to put into words, it feels like a real-life girl gang spanning three generations! There’s something so special about seeing your daughter in your mother’s arms and realizing, Whoa, this is what legacy looks like. It’s a full heart, a full house, and yes, always a full table of food.
You’ve mentioned that your relationship with your mother has grown stronger over the years, especially after Mili’s birth. Can you share how motherhood has influenced your bond with your mom?
Becoming a mom flipped a switch in me. I suddenly saw my own childhood through a different lens, and I realized how much my mom gave up and how hard she loved me, even when it didn’t always come with hugs and “I love yous.” Now, we talk more, laugh more, and yes, disagree on baby food less… most days.
During our recent photo shoot, Mili tried caviar for the first time. What was that experience like for you, witnessing her explore new tastes?
Oh, it was hilarious and adorable. I wasn’t sure if she was going to like it or not. I gave her a tiny taste, and she paused… then asked for more. Before I knew it, she grabbed the whole spoon and scooped a giant bite right into her mouth. That’s when I realized… I’m in trouble. My toddler has fancy taste buds!
You’ve spoken about the traditional Chinese practice of postpartum confinement and how your mother supported you through it. How did that experience shape your approach to motherhood?
Postpartum confinement was actually a really beautiful experience for me, and I’m so grateful I had that time. It taught me the value of slowing down and allowing others to care for you, which definitely doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m used to doing everything myself, so surrendering to rest was a big lesson, and it completely shifted how I view recovery, support, and self-care. Now, I try to bring that same level of care and presence into how I show up for Mili, minus the boiled ginger pig’s feet soup, of course.
Balancing your roles as a producer, entrepreneur, and mother must be challenging. How do you manage to maintain that balance, and what advice would you give to other working mothers?
Let’s be real, some days I’m a boss, and some days I’m just trying to keep the tiny human fed and remember where I put my phone. I live by my calendar, lean on my village, and have learned that “balance” doesn’t mean doing it all at once. I’ve had to learn to prioritize what really matters in the moment and give myself grace when things don’t go as planned, because honestly, they rarely do. My advice? Embrace the chaos and give yourself gold stars for the small wins, like drinking your coffee while it’s still hot.
Your hot sauce brand, Hot Jiang, is a collaboration with your mother, featuring her homemade recipes. What inspired you to turn a family tradition into a business venture?
It started with friends constantly asking for jars of my mom’s chili oil after trying it at our house. I realized nothing in stores ever came close. But more than just sharing our family recipes, I wanted a project we could work on together, something meaningful that would bring us closer. That’s how @HotJiang was born. Our chili oil is just the beginning. It’s the foundation for a full food brand rooted in authentic flavors, healthy clean ingredients, and everyday convenience, all inspired by tradition and built with love between mother and daughter. And yes, my mom loves it when people come up to her and tell her it’s the best sauce they’ve ever tasted. She’s not wrong.
Your cooking talk show, Stir the Pot, combines culinary arts with meaningful conversations. How did the idea for the show come about, and what do you hope audiences take away from it?
Stir the Pot was born out of my love for hot pot and meaningful connection. Growing up, hot pot wasn’t just dinner; it was how my family came together, shared stories, and bonded. I wanted to recreate that same warmth and energy on screen, especially with this being my first big project after maternity leave. Each week, I invite a celebrity guest over for a cozy, home-style hot pot dinner, and as the broth and spice level heat up, so does the conversation. My hope is that audiences feel like they’re pulling up a seat with us, laughing, learning, and maybe even seeing themselves in the stories being shared.
Food seems to be a central theme in your family, from your mother’s recipes to Mili’s first caviar tasting. How does food play a role in your family’s traditions and connections?
Food has always been our love language. It’s how we say “I’m sorry,” “I love you,” and “you’re too skinny,” sometimes all in the same bite. It’s how we show care, celebrate milestones, and stay connected through generations. It’s the one thing that constantly brings us back to each other, no matter where we are in life.
As someone who has transitioned from reality TV to entrepreneurship and hosting, what have been the most rewarding aspects of your career evolution?
Taking control of my narrative has been everything. I’ve gone from letting other people decide how to shape my story to really owning who I am and building platforms I truly believe in. Whether it’s building Hot Jiang with my mom or launching Stir the Pot, everything I do now feels more intentional and aligned with who I am. The most rewarding part is creating things with meaning and seeing people connect with it. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about visibility, it’s about purpose, impact, and staying true to your voice. Also, not having to deal with as much drama, off camera and on camera? Big plus.
Motherhood often comes with unexpected lessons. What has been the most surprising thing you’ve learned since becoming a mom?
That I can function on three hours of sleep and still remember the lyrics and dance to Baby Shark. But seriously, the most surprising lesson is how deeply instinctual and humbling motherhood is. You think you’re the teacher, but these little humans show you who you really are, and then throw Cheerios at you.
Your mother once advised you not to be as hard on Mili as she was on you. How has that advice influenced your parenting style?
That moment really stayed with me. It made me reflect on how much pressure past generations carried and how some of that got passed down without question. I took her words to heart. With Mili, I try to lead with more patience, softness, and understanding. I still believe in boundaries and structure, but I’m also learning to let her be her own person, even if that means she insists on wearing her duck Halloween costume to the grocery store. My mom’s advice reminded me that breaking certain cycles is a form of love too.
Looking ahead, what values and traditions do you hope to pass down to Mili as she grows up?
I want Mili to grow up proud of where she comes from, both culturally and emotionally. I hope she values kindness, resilience, and the importance of showing up for the people she loves. I want her to embrace her voice, trust her instincts, and know that it’s okay to take up space. And of course, I hope she carries on the tradition of gathering around food as a way to connect, whether that’s making dumplings with her grandma or giggling over snacks at the kitchen counter with me.
Kelly Mi Li @kellymili Photo and Interview Aleksandar Tomovic @alekandsteph Styling Alexandra Tuil Maison Privée PR Showroom Hair Kelly Zhang @kellyzhangstudio Makeup Erik David @theglamjew Retouching Production BELLO Media Group @bellomediagroup
