Why is Kris Jenner trending in China as a symbol of wealth and ambition

Kris Jenner has found an unlikely new fanbase — and identity — on Chinese social media, where she is being reimagined as a symbol of wealth, ambition and what users describe as “manifestation energy”.

Across platforms such as RedNote, images of Jenner have been widely shared, edited and repurposed by users, particularly among Gen Z audiences. The trend involves digitally altering her appearance with different outfits, hairstyles and accessories, effectively turning her into a flexible, almost customisable representation of success.

These images are not just being shared for entertainment. Many users are using them as phone wallpapers, laptop backgrounds and profile pictures — often paired with punchy captions such as “keep rich, stay slay” or “let that sh*t go”.

The messaging reflects a broader online culture centred around self-belief, aspiration and a certain “boss mindset”. For many young users navigating academic pressure and early career challenges, Jenner’s polished public image appears to align with this aesthetic of control, confidence and upward mobility.

According to reports by Business Insider and International Business Times, the trend has gained significant traction. Jenner has even been given a nickname by Chinese Gen Z users — “Tian Hou”, loosely translated as “Mother of the Emperor”, signalling a figure associated with power and authority.

Data cited in these reports suggest that there are over 99,000 posts related to Jenner on RedNote alone, generating more than 52 million views — indicating the scale at which the trend has spread.

Content creator Marcelo Wang, who broke down the phenomenon in a viral Instagram video, explained that many users are engaging with the trend playfully. His video, which has garnered over 1.5 million views, suggests that the edits are part meme, part aspiration.

Users, he noted, are not necessarily idolising Jenner in a traditional sense but are instead using her image as a visual shorthand for success — a way to “manifest” goals in a light-hearted manner.

Reacting to the viral moment, she reposted one of the edited visuals on her Instagram Stories, responding with her characteristic humour. “Are we booking appearances for Kris Jenner? Should I be your manager? LOL,” she wrote.

Her response further amplified the trend, bridging the gap between the original cultural context in China and her global audience.