Influencer Fractures Spine Attempting Nicki Minaj’s Viral Challenge
In recent years, viral trends have taken a darker turn, with more reports of serious injuries
Viral challenges on social media are nothing new—they’ve been around for over a decade. Think of classics like the Ice Bucket Challenge or the Harlem Shake. But in recent years, these trends have taken a darker turn, with more reports of serious injuries and even deaths linked to dangerous dares.
As—mainly—younger users continue chasing likes and views, many are jumping into trends without thinking twice. And now, more of these challenges are spreading not just on TikTok but also migrating to Instagram. Some go viral simply because of how the algorithm rewards repetition, while others are pushed by major content creators.
The most talked-about case recently involves the Nicki Minaj’s ‘high heel challenge’. Tragically, Russian influencer Mariana Vasiuc fractured her spine while attempting the pose.
Nicki Minaj hasn’t directly posted new pictures to the viral TikTok challenge, but her iconic pose from the 2013 music video «High School» has inspired a trend. The challenge involves balancing on one foot with legs crossed, often while wearing high heels and perched on objects pic.twitter.com/YnXWWzobw5
— Marco Watts (@MarcoWatts_) August 6, 2025
While the challenge blew up this summer, the iconic pose actually dates back to 2013, when Minaj struck it in her High School music video—squatting in heels with her legs crossed. Now, after Nicki revived the look on her platforms, it’s resurfaced with viral force—but not without risks.
A Trend Taken Too Far
While fans of Nicki Minaj have pushed the viral challenge to new extremes—balancing in heels on all sorts of surfaces—content creator Mariana Vasiuc, 32, wasn’t as lucky. Here are a few examples of the videos users are creating.
@rominacarancini Nichy Minaj challenge #challenge #nickiminaj #nickyminajchallenge #heels #heelschallenge ♬ original sound – highonika
@top.mel #nickiminaj #highheelschallenge #viralvideos #luiviton ♬ Originalton – top.mel
@wandertheblue Nicki Minaj Challenge circus edition 🎪 @Nicki Minaj #nickiminajchallenge #nickiminaj #balance #circus #heels ♬ High School – Nicki Minaj
Vasiuc—who gave birth just eight months ago—attempted the pose while balancing on top of her baby’s powdered milk can, which was placed on the kitchen counter. Unfortunately, the influencer lost her balance and slipped backward. Though she managed to grab onto her assistant’s arm just before falling, fractured her T9 vertebra.
Russian influencer Mariana Barutkina breaks her spine attempting the Nicki Minaj stiletto challenge.
She suffered a “Th9 compression bending uncomplicated fracture of the body.”
Barutkina could’ve done far worse. People, please stop doing this challenge.
(mariana_vasiuc on TT) pic.twitter.com/q4vBo05BNv
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) August 6, 2025
Her case is a sobering reminder, as we’ve seen before, that imitating viral challenges can come with real health risks—especially when pushed beyond safe limits for the sake of online attention.