A 32-year-old Russian woman, identified as Mariana Barutkina, has suffered a severe spine injury after attempting the trending Nicki Minaj stiletto challenge, just a few weeks after giving birth to her baby.
In a now-viral video that she posted online, Mariana, an aspiring content creator, was seen balancing precariously on top of unstable household items — including a baby formula container placed on a sauce pot, all set up on her kitchen counter.
Wearing high heels, Mariana attempted to execute the squat-like pose made popular by the challenge. However, she lost her balance during the stunt and fell off the counter, landing hard on her back.
Following the incident, Mariana was rushed to the hospital where doctors diagnosed her with a Th9 compression fracture — a painful spinal injury that could take months to fully heal.
Barutkina, who had recently started building her online presence, spoke out about the ordeal, explaining how unpredictable life can be and reflecting on the risks people take in the pursuit of internet fame.
The stiletto challenge, which draws inspiration from a signature pose in Nicki Minaj’s “High School” music video, has taken over social media. Participants often wear high heels and attempt to strike challenging poses on narrow, elevated, or unstable platforms — often in kitchens or on counters — for the sake of going viral.
Mariana’s incident has sparked fresh concerns online about the dangers of viral internet trends, particularly among postpartum women and amateur content creators trying to break into influencer culture.
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@unoemenoticias
🤬🫣El 5 de agosto de 2025, Mariana Barutkina, influencer rusa, se viralizó tras fracturarse la espalda intentando el Stiletto Challenge, balanceándose en tacones sobre una barra de cocina. El challenge, popularizado por Nicki Minaj, involucra posar en tacones en lugares peligrosos. Barutkina, semanas después de dar a luz, admitió que valió la pena por la fama. Hoy, críticas a la cultura de likes y la peligrosidad de trends virales. viral_video influencer retochallenge
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