Mariana Barutkina, a 32-year-old social media influencer from Yekaterinburg, Russia, fractured her spine while attempting the viral "stiletto challenge" inspired by Nicki Minaj's 2013 song High School. The incident occurred just eight weeks after Barutkina gave birth to her son in mid-June 2025. The challenge, popular on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, involves balancing in high heels while striking a pose, often using unstable props to increase difficulty.
In a video posted on Instagram on August 1, 2025, Barutkina attempted the challenge in her kitchen. She balanced on a jar of baby formula placed on a saucepan, which rested on a countertop. While performing a one-legged squat in stilettos, the setup collapsed, causing her to fall backward off the counter. The fall sent her crashing from a height of approximately 5 feet, resulting in a Th9 compression fracture, as confirmed by a medical diagnosis she shared in the video's caption. She was left temporarily unable to walk and had to be carried to the hospital, according to reports.
Barutkina noted that the incident marked the start of her blogging journey. Despite the injury, she reported no regrets, stating in a follow-up Instagram post that the video gained significant attention, with over 50 people sharing it across various platforms. She mentioned following medical guidelines and recovering well, with two nannies assisting with her newborn during this period. In one post, she wrote, “I fell hard, broke my spine, and woke up famous. I’m not even mad.”
The video sparked mixed reactions online. Some users wished Barutkina a speedy recovery, while others criticized the challenge's risks, noting that Minaj's original pose in the High School music video did not involve unstable props. Minaj was seen posing in high heels on the floor in the music video, but the online trend has amplified the risk by incorporating balancing acts on objects like jars, pans, or countertops to mimic or exaggerate the look.
Dr. David Lauzurique, DPT, CSCS, shared in his Instagram reels that, "As a physical therapist, I mostly treat sports injuries but every now and then, I get someone who got a little too ambitious with a viral trend. 😅"
The stiletto challenge continues to gain traction on social media, with participants attempting increasingly risky setups. TikTok users have even coined the term “Nicki Minaj Challenge” for these videos, despite the singer having no direct involvement in promoting the trend. Barutkina’s case highlights the potential dangers of such trends, particularly for individuals in vulnerable physical conditions, such as postpartum recovery. Health experts have warned that these social media stunts could result in serious, long-term injuries, urging users to think twice before attempting them.
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