Young people across China are turning to an unlikely source of inspiration Kris Jenner, as they look for luck, confidence and success in an increasingly competitive environment.
Gen Z social media users have begun using images of the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch as a kind of digital good luck charm, channeling her signature “momager” energy to manifest prosperity during a challenging economic period. The trend has spread rapidly across platforms like Weibo, Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote), and Douyin.
Images of Jenner, 70, are commonly used as profile pictures or phone wallpapers. In many cases, they are digitally altered to depict her as a CEO in a sharp suit, a doctor in a white coat, or even a Ph.D. graduate reflecting the ambitions of users who want to succeed in various fields.
These visuals are often paired with dollar bills or motivational English captions like “Let’s manifest” and “Keep rich, stay slay.” On Xiaohongshu, a hashtag translating to #KrisJennerManifestation has already reached nearly 2.7 million views.
For many users, the trend is both playful and deeply personal. Chichi Xu, a university student in Shanghai, said using Jenner’s image gives her confidence in academic settings.
“Using her photo as my profile picture gives off this ‘I’m a force to be reckoned with’ vibe,” Xu explained. “The look in her eyes is sharp — it feels like a powerful woman who’s sizing you up. I want that image to make people take me seriously.”
Despite the humorous tone of the memes, the motivation behind them reflects a serious reality. Young people in China are navigating a highly competitive job market and economic slowdown, prompting many to seek psychological boosts and symbols of success.
The trend also contrasts with the previously popular “lying flat” mindset a movement where young people disengage from intense societal pressures and do the bare minimum to get by. Instead, Jenner’s image represents ambition, drive and the belief that opportunities can be attracted through mindset and effort.
George Zhao, a 23-year-old student from Shandong province, said the idea of manifestation plays a role in how he approaches challenges.
“For me, manifestation is really about believing in the power of belief itself,” Zhao said. “People joke about wanting Jenner’s nine-figure assets, but I think it’s also a kind of positive self-guidance.”
Although Jenner has never visited China, she is widely recognized there as the strategist behind her family’s global empire. Social media users have even nicknamed her the “Empress Dowager,” referencing a powerful female figure who ruled through her son during China’s Qing Dynasty.
Chinese influencer Marcelo Wang, who creates content explaining Mandarin and Chinese pop culture, noted that Jenner’s appeal lies in her work ethic.
“She is one of the hardest-working businesswomen in the U.S., and Chinese people really respect hard work,” he said in a recent video.
Jenner herself has acknowledged the viral trend, commenting “You’re ALL doing amazing, sweetie!!!!” on one of Wang’s Instagram posts a nod to her famous catchphrase from Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
The Kardashian-Jenner family’s presence in China has also been strengthened by viral clips from their shows and business ventures. Kim Kardashian, for example, actively engages with Chinese fans on Xiaohongshu, where her brand SKIMS continues to gain traction.
Still, Jenner is just the latest figure in a long tradition of symbolic “luck boosters” among Chinese youth. Other practices include using phone cases featuring the Chinese god of wealth, reposting images of golden fish associated with prosperity, and visiting temples to pray for success in careers, studies and relationships.
Cultural wordplay also plays a role. During the Year of the Horse, some people decorated their homes with images of Draco Malfoy a character from Harry Potter, because his name sounds similar to “lucky horse” in Chinese.
Jenner is not the first foreign woman to gain admiration in China for business success. Maye Musk, mother of Elon Musk, has also built a strong following.
For Danica Lu, a 23-year-old computer science student from Guangzhou, Jenner represents ambition and possibility as she searches for a job.
She acknowledged that luck alone isn’t enough. “You still have to rely on your own hard work. As we say in Chinese, iron only becomes strong after it’s hammered,” Lu said.
Even so, for many young people, the first step toward changing their fortunes might be as simple as switching their profile picture to Kris Jenner.