Kris Jenner attends the #BoF500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week at Shangri-La Hotel Paris on September 30, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for The Business of Fashion)
Getty Images for The Business of Fashion
Kris Jenner has gone viral on Chinese social media, as droves of users switch their profile pictures to images of the Kardashian matriarch, sparking a tsunami of Jenner-themed posts.
The meme is expanding and evolving, with participants customizing their Jenner to create variants, editing the photographs to change Jenner’s outfits and headgear.
Why Did Kris Jenner Go Viral In China?
According to TikToker Marcelo Wang, who explained the phenomenon to Western internet users in a viral clip, the Jenner trend is all about manifestation.
In China, Jenner is viewed as an extraordinarily hard worker and powerful woman, nicknamed “Tai Hou” (mother of the Emperor), granting her a level of respect that has transcended into a semi-ironic meme.
On platforms such as RedNote, Jenner has come to symbolize wealth and good fortune, with Chinese social media users hoping to channel some of her legendary drive and career success.
Wang described the trend as somewhat tongue-in-cheek, saying, “Cosplaying Kris Jenner is like a Gen Z funny way to manifest success.”
Wang went on to emphasize that Jenner’s image was spreading far and wide, like a patron saint of material success.
“Chinese Gen Z are not just using Kris Jenner as a profile picture, but she is on all of our iPhone, iPad wallpapers, laptops … literally everywhere,” he said.
Wang’s video explainer has been viewed more than two million times on TikTok, and shared on other social media platforms.
According to Business Insider, more than 99,000 Jenner-themed posts can be found on RedNote, attracting more than 52 million views.
Eventually, the trend spread far enough to come to the attention of Kris Jenner herself, who responded to Wang with her iconic catchphrase, writing: “You’re ALL doing amazing, sweetie!!!!”
Oddly enough, a similar trend spread through Chinese social media during February’s Lunar New Year celebrations, as images of Draco Malfoy went viral as a symbol of good luck for the upcoming year.
Kris Jenner Has A Powerful Online Reputation
Kris Jenner is the mother of Kourtney, Khloé, Rob, and Kim Kardashian, as well as Kendall and Kylie Jenner.
Jenner is jokingly referred to as her children’s “momager,” having helped her family transcend into titans of the media landscape, boasting both maternal wisdom and business acumen.
Speaking to Forbes in 2022, Jenner said that she takes a 10% commission from the gross revenue of her children’s businesses.
“I said to my kids, ‘Look, I’m going to put my heart and soul into this—I’m going to work hard. And I’ll take 10%, because that’ll make it worth my while,’” Jenner said.
On Western social media platforms, Jenner is viewed with a similar reverence by Kardashian fans, even if she hasn’t transcended into a literal good luck symbol.
Comments containing the phrase, “The devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder” can often be found under Kardashian-related news and posts, satirizing Jenner’s legendary work ethic.
