Nicki Minaj Stiletto Challenge Lands Mom Influencer in Hospital with Spine Injury — Who Is Mariana Barutkina?

A viral social media stunt turned serious when a mother's attempt at Nicki Minaj's popular 'Stiletto Challenge' led to a spinal injury. Mariana Barutkina, a 32-year-old influencer from Russia, sustained a compression fracture to her spine during the attempt.

Barutkina gained attention as a mother sharing her life online, often posting about her family and personal experiences. On 1 August 2025, she posted a video on Instagram showing her attempting the TikTok trend known as the Nicki Minaj stiletto challenge. Less than two months after giving birth, she decided to try the challenge, which involves balancing in high heels on precarious objects while mimicking a pose from Minaj's 2013 'High School' music video.

Her attempt involved balancing on a saucepan and a canister of baby formula stacked on top of each other on her kitchen counter. The setup was designed to replicate Minaj's squat stance but ended with Mariana falling backward off the elevated surface. She shared the clip with a caption about starting her blogging journey, mentioning her diagnosis of a Th9 compression fracture.

The Rise and Risks of the Nicki Minaj Challenge

The Nicki Minaj stiletto challenge is a popular online trend that has gone viral, in which participants try to balance on different objects while wearing high heels. The challenge draws inspiration from Nicki Minaj's famous stance in her 2013 music video for "High School," where she balances elegantly in stilettos beside a swimming pool.This trend has quickly gained traction across social media platforms, with many sharing their attempts to imitate the singer's iconic look.

The challenge gained momentum on TikTok in July 2025, with over 1.3 billion views under the hashtag #nickiminajchallenge. Participants attempted the pose in various risky setups, often using household items like cookware, soda cans, or weights.

Some, like singer Ciara, performed the stunt on stacked gym equipment, while others pushed further, climbing pyramids of bottles or stacking beauty products in stores. The challenge's appeal lay in its visual impact and demonstration of balance, but safety was often sacrificed.

Experts and viewers acknowledged the danger, with some sharing failed attempts and injuries. The stunt's physical difficulty combined with the risky arrangements made it a popular but hazardous trend.

Mariana's Injury and Public Response

On 31 July 2025, Mariana posted her attempt on Instagram, capturing her balancing act. The following day, she revealed her injury, describing it as a 'compression bending uncomplicated fracture of the body' in her back. She explained she was following medical advice and was optimistic about her recovery.

Her post also addressed concerns about her infant, confirming he had two nannies and was cared for while she recuperated. Mariana's incident is among the most serious cases linked to the viral challenge, drawing widespread media attention. Despite the injury, she expressed a sense of humour about the situation, saying, 'the irony? Karma? Or just life, which always tests our strength at the most unexpected moment.'

Recovery and Reflection

Since her fall, Mariana has focused on her recovery, sharing updates about her progress with followers. She expressed gratitude for the support she received and stated she was adapting to her condition. Her openness about the injury and her recovery process has resonated with many, sparking conversations about safety on social media.