The risks of Nicki Minaj's 'stiletto challenge': influencer's TikTok stunt leads to spinal injury

Ever tried to walk a mile in Nicki Minaj’s heels? Russian influencer Mariana Barutkina did and paid a high price for it.

What started as a playful attempt to join a viral TikTok trend ended with a fractured spine and a powerful lesson for us all about social media, safety, and why chasing likes shouldn’t mean risking your life.

When virality turns dangerous

If you’ve scrolled through TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen it: people balancing precariously in sky-high stilettos, recreating Nicki Minaj’s iconic “High School” pose.

The Nicki Minaj Stiletto Challenge has swept through social media feeds, with users taking the dare to new (and dangerous) heights, balancing on everything from dumbbells to wine bottles to kitchen counters, all for those viral views.

Mariana Barutkina, a 32-year-old mommy blogger from Russia, became an unexpected cautionary tale in this trend. Just weeks after giving birth, she attempted the challenge, balancing in stilettos on a pot and a canister of baby formula atop her kitchen counter, reported "TMZ".

The result? The pot slipped, Barutkina toppled backwards, and, suddenly, a fun video turned into a worrying trip to the ER.

The anatomy of a spinal fracture: What happened to Barutkina?

Mariana was diagnosed with a T9 compression fracture, a break in the ninth thoracic vertebra of her spine. To put it simply, this is one of those injuries you never want to experience.

The thoracic spine, located in the middle of your back, plays a crucial role in protecting your spinal cord and supporting your body’s weight.

According to the National Health Institute, a T9 fracture can, in severe cases, lead to chronic pain, loss of movement or sensation below the injury, and even paralysis. While Mariana’s fracture was described as “uncomplicated”, meaning she avoided permanent nerve damage, the situation could have been much worse.

In the most critical scenarios, a T9 spinal fracture can cause:

• Loss of mobility below the waist.
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction.
• Chronic back pain and lifelong physical therapy.
• Mental health challenges due to sudden disability.

In her own words: “I’m doing great, following the guidelines and now living in ‘star’ status… Whoever worries about my child is also calm. He has two nannies, and while I was filming, one of them was with him.”

Her upbeat attitude is refreshing, but it’s easy to see how this could have ended much worse.

Why are we risking it all for likes?

What’s driving us to attempt stunts that, deep down, we know aren’t safe? Social media rewards risk-taking.

The more outrageous or impressive the feat, the more engagement it gets. This creates a feedback loop that encourages ever-riskier behaviour, especially among young people and aspiring influencers.

Mariana herself joked about her “karma” on Instagram, quipping, “Because of one video, which was unsuccessfully filmed, I woke up a popular person.”

She later assured followers that she and her newborn were fine, but admitted that her newfound fame came at a cost. It’s easy to see why these trends are so compelling.

They’re fun, visually impressive, and let us connect with a global audience. But as Barutkina’s story shows, there’s a thin line between creative self-expression and real danger.

A 2022 study published in JAMA Network Open found that social media-related injuries have surged in recent years, especially among young adults and teens.

The study’s authors warn that “the pursuit of viral content can sometimes override basic safety considerations, leading to preventable accidents and injuries.”

Taking to Instagram to explain how to correctly do the challenge, the "High School" singer said."Dear Barbz, about that pose…. Ummm 😩 this Chanel dress was just a tad shorter than I thought & the thongs definitely didn’t help.

"Didn’t want to make it explicit.😃 Both feet on the ground tho. Ten toes. Ima put on a diff outfit that won’t show so much skin & do it again for you guys later."

How to stay safe and still have fun.

The good news is that you don’t have to ditch social media to stay safe. Here are a few tips for trend-hoppers and content creators:

• Assess the risk. If a challenge involves heights, sharp objects, or anything physically risky, think twice.
• Know your limits. Just because someone else did it doesn’t mean it’s safe for you.
• Get creative safely! There’s no shortage of fun, viral trends that don’t put your health at risk.
• Remember your impact. Your followers may try to copy you. Model safe, responsible behaviour.

Barutkina’s story is a wake-up call for all of us: Going viral should never come at the expense of your health.

Before you hit “record”, ask yourself, is this really worth it? Let’s make safety the real trend. Because no amount of likes is worth a broken back or worse.