One of the stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been accused of ‘endangering’ her baby after involving the newborn in a risky internet challenge inspired by Nicki Minaj‘s High School music video.
Mikayla Matthews, who lives in the US state of Utah, rose to fame as a ‘Mormon influencer’, amassing more than two million followers on TikTok even before she appeared on Hulu’s reality TV show Mormon Wives in September 2024.
The 25-year-old mother-of-four and husband Jace Terry welcomed the latest addition to their family, Lottie June, on July 17.
In a short clip published on TikTok and Instagram earlier this week, Mikayla is seen attempting a viral challenge that requires someone to balance on the narrow heel of one of their stiletto shoes.
Mikayla, however, complicated the already precarious challenge by attempting it from atop a platform while wearing a blindfold and cradling Lottie June in her arms – and has faced a backlash as a result.
In the video captioned ‘How it feels balancing postpartum and four kids with being the breadwinner’, the influencer managed to balance for a few seconds before losing her footing and coming off the platform.
While Mikayla does not fall to the ground – and little Lottie June remains peaceful in her arms – many viewers appeared to be alarmed by Mikayla’s clip, with several criticising her for compromising her baby’s safety.
One person wrote: ‘Why does everyone think this is ok… If she fell her newborn would be seriously hurt… Bizarre behaviour just for the clicks’.
Mormon infleuncer Mikayla Matthews (pictured) attempted the viral challenge inspired by Nicki Minaj’s video – while holding her newborn
Mikayla loses her footing and comes off the platform – but her baby remains in her arms
Mikayla rose to fame as a Mormon influencer before appearing on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
She was criticised for ‘endangering her new born baby – but other social media comments were more divided
Another added: ‘Girl this ain’t it. Don’t put your newborn baby in a position to get hurt privately, or socially…’
While a third weighed with: ‘I’d rather see someone doing a dance about their baby in a hospital than endangering their baby in any way. Wtaf?!’
A fourth social media user said: ‘Don’t you care for your baby’s safety? He’s two weeks old for G-ds sake. You are more concerned about a trend and likes than your baby. Outrageous!’
And a fifth added: ‘Someone just broke their spine doing this. Please be careful.’
Others, however, were more forgiving, with one person praising the stunt as ‘massively impressive’.
Another joked: ‘Please don’t do this – the newborn will start expecting a new trick for every feed and you will have a mini diva on your hands!!’
The Daily Mail has attempted to reach Mikayla’s reps for comment.
Only yesterday it was reported that a mother broke her spine after attempting the same challenge just weeks after giving birth.
Mikayla Matthews, who lives in the US state of Utah , rose to fame as a ‘Mormon influencer’, amassing more than two million followers on TikTok even before she appeared on Hulu’s reality TV show Mormon Wives in September 2024. Pictured left to right: Miranda McWhorter, Jessi Ngatikaura, Layla Taylor, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Taylor Frankie Paul, Jennifer Affleck, Whitney Leavitt and Demi Engemann
Mariana Barutkina, from Yekaterinburg in central Russia, was trying to film her first piece of content as an influencer when she suffered the painful injury while recreating a pose from the pop star’s High School music video.
Footage shows the 32-year-old beautician attempting to balance in sky-high stilettos on top of a jar of baby food, which had been placed on an upturned saucepan on her kitchen island.
As she posed, gripping a friend’s hand for balance, she suddenly loses control and tumbles backwards with a look of panic on her face.
The clip, which has since gone viral, ends with Mariana sprawled on the floor – and later being diagnosed with a compression flexion fracture in her spine.
She claimed she has now been told she must now wear a corset for three months.
The so-called ‘Stiletto Challenge’ has taken social media by storm, with thousands of users attempting to copy a scene from a 2013 music video in which Minaj poses beside a swimming pool, crouched in heels with one leg crossed over the other.
Recalling her horrifying ordeal, Ms Barutkina said she attempted the stunt just eight weeks after the birth of her son.
‘I decided to start a blog, my first content shoot – and here I am leaving the doctor’s with a diagnosis,’ she said.
Mariana Barutkina was trying to film her first piece of content as an influencer when she suffered the painful injury while recreating a pose from the pop star’s High School music video
The so-called ‘Stiletto Challenge’ has taken social media by storm, with thousands of users attempting to copy a scene from a 2013 music video in which Minaj poses beside a swimming pool, crouched in heels with one leg crossed over the other
‘Irony? Karma? Or just life, which always tests our strength at the most unexpected moment.’
The video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times and prompted a wave of online criticism, with many questioning the mother’s priorities.
One viewer wrote: ‘Irony? Karma? Stupidity and courage.’
Another added: ‘To live to 32, have children, but not gain intelligence – you have to try really hard.’
A third even cruelly said: ‘What kind of upbringing will a child receive from such a blogger?’
Responding to the backlash, Mariana insisted her baby was not at risk.
‘Because of one video, which was poorly filmed, I woke up as a popular person,’ she said.
‘People, thank you for the popularity, for your concerns and for your comments.
The clip, which has since gone viral, ends with Mariana sprawled on the floor—and later being diagnosed with a compression flexion fracture in her spine
The video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times and prompted a wave of online criticism, with many questioning the mother’s priorities
‘I am doing great, I am following the recommendations and now I live in the status of a “star”.
‘For those who are worried about my child, I will also reassure you, he has two nannies and while I was filming, one of them was with him.’
According to The Spinal Injuries Association, approximately 4,700 people are injured or diagnosed with a spinal cord injury every year in the UK.
This equates to someone becoming paralysed every two hours.
The organisation also estimates around 105,000 people across Britain are currently living with a spinal cord injury.
Under NHS guidance, the majority of spinal fractures are treated conservatively – which means allowing the bone to heal naturally and therefore without a specific brace or the need for surgery.
This healing process often takes three to four months but the majority of the pain settles by six to eight weeks.
Medics suggest taking regular pain killers.
When this isn’t an option, some fractures may be helped by a supportive brace or even surgery.
Over time, some people who suffer spinal fractures may also develop a stooped posture, as the spine struggles to support the weight of their body, which can lead to breathing difficulties.
