Russian Mommy Blogger Suffers Spine Fracture in Viral Nicki Minaj TikTok Challenge
Hey, I’m Riley Carter. So here’s the lowdown on a postpartum influencer gone wrong.
Mariana Barutkina, a 32-year-old aspiring mommy blogger from Russia, ended up in a doctor’s office with a broken spine just weeks after welcoming her newborn. The incident unfolded when she attempted the so-called Nicki Minaj “High School” TikTok trend that has influencers stacking precarious props while mimicking the rapper’s signature stiletto pose.
Barutkina’s stunt involved perching in pointed heels atop a baby formula canister balanced on a sauce pot, all set on a marble kitchen island. She posted video clips to Instagram, tagging the trend that kicked off with Minaj’s 2013 “High School” music video. Viewers watched in real time as the pot shifted, sending her tumbling backward off the island and toward the floor.
According to TMZ, the fall caused a Th9 compression bending uncomplicated fracture of the vertebral body. That diagnosis came courtesy of medical scans soon after the fall, forcing Barutkina into recovery mode instead of hammering out her next piece of content. She admitted on Instagram, “I decided to start blogging, the first content shooting – and here I am leaving the doctor diagnosed with Th9 compression bending uncomplicated fracture of the body.”
The irony was not lost on her. In the caption, she wondered if it was a dose of karma or simply life’s way of testing her mettle at the worst possible moment. Fans responded with a mix of concern and curiosity, reminding her to rest up and slow down before chasing the next viral sensation.
This isn’t the first time wannabe influencers have taken Minaj-inspired poses to extremes. Some participants in the challenge have risked their balance by stacking dumbbells, wine bottles, or even traffic cones, all in a quest for likes and reposts. What seemed like harmless fun quickly morphed into a cautionary tale.
Barutkina’s case highlights the pressure on new moms who pivot to content creation. She had just recovered from childbirth and was trying to ride a viral wave, only to discover firsthand how dangerous these DIY stunts can be. The online reaction has been split between sympathy for her injury and criticism of the safety risks inherent in such trends.
As social media algorithms reward extreme content, that incentive often outweighs basic caution. Mariana’s snap injury serves as a stark reminder that a slick kitchen island and a formula can are a risky combo when you’re wearing stiletto heels and chasing fame. Her experience has sparked conversations among influencer circles about prioritizing safety over sensationalism.
Whether Mariana’s spine will fully heal remains to be seen, but she’s already promising her followers that the show will eventually go on—just a bit slower. She’s using her recovery period to reflect on the upsides and downsides of viral challenges. Suffice to say, this high-stakes stunt left a lasting impact far beyond any like or share count.
Anyway, that’s the scoop from my end. We’ll see if this trend evolves into something safer or just fades away as another social media cautionary moment.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Instagram, New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
