If you’ve found yourself getting lost in a routine TikTok scroll recently, chances are it wasn’t long before you found yourself on the side of the app where manifestations and delusional mindsets flourish. From mantras to bring forth financial gain to affirmations that promise to have your greatest desires fall into your lap, Gen Z’s latest spin on the Law of Attraction has taken on a new form known as “Lucky Girl Syndrome.”
The term ‘Lucky Girl Syndrome’ was first popularized by creator Laura Galebe, who in a viral video, shared how one simple mindset shift allowed most things to work out effortlessly in her favor. "I just always expect great things to happen to me, and so they do," Galebe explained. As she continued in her video, repeatedly saying, “good things happen to me unexpectedly” for as long as she can remember, was the key to unlocking a life where opportunities were unceasing.
But what exactly is ‘Lucky Girl Syndrome’ and can you truly just think your way into getting everything your heart desires?
According to wellness and life coach Faith Hunter, Lucky Girl Syndrome is essentially the mental, emotional, and spiritual state of ultimate gratitude.
“Lucky Girl Syndrome is all about having a positive mindset, but more than just thinking positive, it’s also feeling it,” Hunter says. “It’s feeling that sensation in your heart and then intentionally moving through your day with that feeling of, ‘I am a blessed person’ and being open to seeing all the different ways the universe can bless you.”
Over the years, the theory behind the Law of Attraction has offered varying interpretations based on which generation is perceiving it. Whether you were raised with the influence of the prosperity gospel or found your way to the popular self-help book, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, the Law of Attraction/Assumption has a way of evolving from generation to generation.
So when it comes to the Law of Attraction, Lucky Girl Syndrome is to Gen Z as vision boards are to millennials.
“It is definitely the Law of Attraction because it's all about positive thinking,” Hunter explains. “If you're thinking negatively, in most cases, it's going to continue to ripple and happen to you. The same thing goes for thinking positively — the universe will naturally start to deliver opportunities and allow you to see creative ways that things can come into your life.”
Since growing in its popularity, Lucky Girl Syndrome has become as catchy as it is contagious. Women from all sides of TikTok attribute their positive thinking to receiving job offers, brand deals, free food, random heaps of money, and even love. However, when you take a closer look at the faces that make up the trend’s TikTok hashtag with nearly 600 million views, you may notice the faces of Black women missing from the feed.
“When I found out what Lucky Girl Syndrome was, I was very confused, to be honest,” says Diamon Hawkins, a creative futurist and the founder/CEO of Pothos Beauty, who was raised on the notion that if you ask, you shall receive.
“There's this whole delusional mindset right now, so I'm very cautious of how we use literary terms and practices and how the world does that differently now,” she says. When the trend began to surface on her For You page, it initially took the 29-year-old a week to delve into the research behind what it actually meant, only to find that it was a similar mindset to what she grew up with. “I was like, oh, this is just a Law of Assumption and that is how I live my life. That is how I've been raised,” she recalls. “If you believe it and if you can see it, then you can do it. I live my life through that lens.”
Having grown up in the inner city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Hawkins’ parents instilled in her the practice of not only speaking things into existence but putting the action behind her words. What some could argue is the very thing this latest take on the Law of Attraction via the Lucky Girl Syndrome fails to mention: privilege.
When trends like Lucky Girl Syndrome and “Being Delusional” ignore the systematic and structural inequalities that exist in communities of color and people who don’t come from wealth or means, it can lead to the perpetuation of toxic positivity. What starts off as an innocent trend can easily turn exclusionary when you don’t consider the mental hurdles it takes to overcome one’s daily circumstances. Life doesn’t always deal us a fair card, and to conflate luck with inherited privilege is dismissive. And sometimes, it takes a lot more than simply “thinking” your way out of adversity.
That’s why when it comes down to the trends that we consume via social media, it’s important to have people who look like us sharing their experiences. “I'm really excited to see this trend come to the mainstream. But I would honestly say, I've lived my life in the perspective of manifesting before I even knew the word manifestation.”
For Hawkins, Lucky Girl Syndrome coupled with the support of her communities was vital to helping her get out of a recent depression from balancing the loneliness of being an entrepreneur. “I was in a mental space of lack. Negativity is a parasite to my own mind. And once I started applying Lucky Girl Syndrome or Law of Assumption back into my life things have changed,” she says.
Her revenue streams have increased, career opportunities have come into her life, and she’s seen an overall improvement in her mental and physical health.
“Productivity is a medicine. I had to get back to the mindset of, ‘it will work out for me.’”
When starting on your path to positive thinking through Lucky Girl Syndrome, Faith Hunter says that starting with small doses of gratitude is the best approach. “In order for that mind shift to happen, you have to start small. The easiest and smallest step to take is to wake up every morning and feel a sense of gratitude. Say, ‘I am grateful that I awoke this morning. I am grateful that I have my body. I am grateful for the breath that I am breathing. I am grateful for the roof over my head,” she shares.
“What then begins to happen is that once you start to recognize and acknowledge those simple, basic things, over time you're going to think yourself into greater things.”
While reading the book, The Mastery of Self, Hawkins was drawn to a quote that read, “Negative thoughts are parasites. You need to be an ally to your brain.” This note, in turn, became a reminder that in order to truly embrace a positive inner voice that brings good into your life, you must first be a friend to yourself at every stage of your life.
“If you are someone who is hesitant about the Law of Assumption or Lucky Girl Syndrome, speak to yourself the same way you would speak to your younger self. Meet her in the middle. Pour into her. And tell her, ‘it's going to work out for us.'”
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Feature image by Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images
Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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Feature image courtesy
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image courtesy