Kris Jenner has become an unlikely symbol of wealth and good fortune in China, where fans displayed handheld fans printed with her face during the Kardashian family's recent visit to Shanghai.
The reality star and businesswoman has been embraced by some Chinese social media users as a 'Money Goddess,' with her image used as a playful lucky charm for those hoping to attract financial success.
The unusual tribute brought an internet trend into the real world as the family attended the China launch of NikeSKIMS, the activewear collaboration between Nike and Kim Kardashian's Skims brand.
How Kris Jenner Became China's 'Money Goddess'
Jenner's nickname reflects her reputation as the business manager behind the Kardashian-Jenner family's commercial success. Through reality television, beauty brands, fashion ventures and endorsement deals, the family has transformed its fame into a lucrative business empire.
For some Chinese social media users, Jenner has become an unexpected symbol of the wealth and professional success they hope to achieve. The trend has attracted attention on Xiaohongshu, the Chinese social media platform also known internationally as RedNote, as well as Douyin and Weibo.
Users have reportedly adopted Jenner's photographs as profile pictures and phone wallpapers, while others have edited her image into professional settings, portraying her as a successful lawyer, doctor or other high-achieving figure. These images are part of a broader trend in which people use visual reminders to express their ambitions and hopes for the future.
The nickname draws inspiration from the Chinese cultural association between 财神, commonly translated as the 'God of Wealth,' and prosperity. The traditional figure is associated with good fortune and financial success, while Jenner's modern celebrity image offers a humorous alternative for those hoping to attract similar luck. 'Money Goddess' is an informal description of the trend, rather than a literal translation of the Chinese term or a universally established nickname for Jenner.
Fans Bring the Internet Trend to Shanghai
The handheld fans featuring Jenner's face offered a striking physical expression of the online phenomenon during the Kardashian family's Shanghai visit in late September 2026.
The display coincided with the NikeSKIMS launch event, with Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Khloé Kardashian among those attending the Shanghai celebrations. The brand's first physical retail destination in China opened at HKRI Taikoo Hui on 29 September, following the launch preview the previous day.
Jenner's appeal lies partly in the contrast between her familiar reality television persona and her reputation as a formidable businesswoman. As the mother and manager of a family whose members have built careers across entertainment, beauty, and fashion, she has become associated with the idea of turning fame into financial success.
For social media users, her image can function as both a light-hearted meme and a symbol of personal ambition. Manifestation typically involves focusing on a desired outcome and using symbolic reminders to reinforce that goal.
In Jenner's case, the trend has been associated with aspirations ranging from securing a job or promotion to building personal wealth, although using her photograph is a symbolic gesture rather than a guarantee of success. Its popularity also reflects the appeal of internet humour that combines a recognisable celebrity with everyday financial ambitions.
There is no indication that the handheld fans were part of an official campaign by Jenner, and the display should not be interpreted as an endorsement by the reality star. Instead, the tribute highlights how social media users have repurposed her public image through a trend separate from the NikeSKIMS launch.
In Shanghai, Jenner's face served not only as a reminder of her family's fame, but also as a playful emblem of the prosperity some fans hope to manifest for themselves.
