Influencer Mum’s Viral TikTok Challenge Turns Nightmare—Spine Broken in Shocking Twist

So, here’s the thing—when a Nicki Minaj music video from 12 years ago suddenly sparks a viral TikTok challenge, you might expect some wild dance moves or fashion recreations. But breaking your spine? That’s a plot twist nobody saw coming. Enter Mariana Barutkina, a Russian influencer who took the ‘stiletto challenge’ a wee bit too literally, balancing on kitchenware eight weeks postpartum, only to take a spectacular fall straight into a hospital bed. Now, I can’t help but wonder: Is the internet dream worth a vertebral compression fracture? Or is this just another cautionary tale of chasing clout in killer shoes? Either way, though Minaj herself recently demonstrated the pose—with both feet firmly on the ground—thousands are still risking it all for a viral moment. Curious to see how it all went down? LEARN MORE.

A new internet trend inspired by a Nicki Minaj music video has caused a Russian influencer to break her spine.

If you’re on TikTok at all, you’ll probably be aware of the Nicki Minaj ‘stiletto challenge’ that is doing the rounds on the video-sharing platform.

At first glance, it looks incredibly dangerous – and you’d be right.

Unfortunately, this hasn’t stopped thousands from trying to recreate the near-impossible pose. In fact, even Minaj herself has now spoken out on the trend, after a pose she did 12 years ago seemingly inspired the videos.

32-year-old Mariana Barutkina, from Russia, is the latest to try her hand at making one of the trending videos, but it had disastrous consequences after she went absolutely flying and broke her spine.

The influencer had it all planned out (Instagram/@mariana_vasiuc)

What is the Nicki Minaj stiletto challenge?

If you head back to Minaj’s 2013 ‘High School’ music video, you’ll be able to see the rapper sporting the pose which started it all.

It’s gained traction 12 years on, though as social media users tend to do, more layers have been added to the already difficult pose.

People have been trying to balance in stilettos on a range of items, including a dumbbell, stools and even kitchenware.

Minaj herself tried to recreate her iconic pose in a video posted on Tuesday (5 August )on Instagram, though said that her ‘dress was a tad shorter’ than she thought and that she’d try it again later.

Minaj also clarified that it’s not about balancing on one leg.

“Both feet on the ground tho. Ten toes,” she concluded. “Ima put on a diff outfit that won’t show so much skin & do it again for you guys later. Love.”

How did an influencer break her spine during the challenge?

Russian mother Barutkina tried to carry out the challenge by balancing on a saucepan and baby formula on her kitchen island.

Barutkina sported stilettos and decided to try her luck just eight weeks postpartum.

The 32-year-old could then be seen in pure panic as she slipped off the baby formula, falling backwards off the island for her 1,300+ followers to see.

Unfortunately, she would end up in hospital as a result of her injuries, breaking her spine in the process.

She ended up breaking her spine (Instagram/mariana_vasiuc)

She wrote in the caption: “I decided to start blogging, the first content shooting – and here I am leaving the doctor diagnosed with ‘Th9 compression bending uncomplicated fracture of the body’.”

This is also known as a vertebral compression fracture.

“The irony? Karma? Or just life, which always tests our strength at the most unexpected moment,” she added.

Barutkina then said she’d be happy to share more details in future videos, signing off by saying that she is here for ‘life, happy motherhood and motivation to move only forward!”

Adding in a later post that she was alright, Barutkina concluded: “I’m doing great, following the guidelines and now living in ‘star’ status.”