Influencer Breaks Spine Doing Viral Stiletto Dance Just Weeks After Giving Birth

7 August 2025

Influencer BreeAnne Clowdus, known for her spirited dance videos and candid motherhood content, is now recovering from a serious spinal injury sustained during an attempt at a viral TikTok challenge. The 29-year-old content creator was just three weeks postpartum when she attempted the Nicki Minaj Stiletto Challenge, a daring dance trend inspired by the rapper’s high-heeled choreography. What was supposed to be a bold and empowering return to the online spotlight quickly turned into a traumatic experience that left her unable to walk and dependent on a back brace.

The challenge itself had been gaining momentum online, with dancers and influencers attempting dramatic moves in stilettos to the beat of Minaj’s latest song. BreeAnne, who had already earned a devoted following for her transparency around pregnancy and body image, saw it as an opportunity to reconnect with her audience. But as her video began, she knew something was wrong. She tried to mimic a backbend move while wearing six-inch heels when she heard a loud crack and collapsed onto the floor. Her husband, who was watching nearby with their newborn, immediately rushed her to the hospital.

Doctors quickly diagnosed her with a spinal fracture. She had broken a vertebra in her lower back and torn several ligaments in the process. The injury was so severe that she required spinal injections to manage the pain and is now forced to wear a supportive brace at all times. BreeAnne later admitted in an emotional video update that she had underestimated the physical strain her body was still under after childbirth and had ignored the warnings from her physical therapist about overexertion.

What has made BreeAnne’s story resonate so widely is not just the shocking nature of her injury but also the brutal honesty with which she’s sharing her recovery journey. She posted a follow-up video from her hospital bed, showing the aftermath of the failed challenge. The video, which has already racked up millions of views, includes footage of her struggling to sit up and details about the long road to healing ahead. BreeAnne explained that she could not pick up her baby or bend down to change a diaper, something that has made her feel both physically helpless and emotionally devastated.

In a tearful message to her followers, BreeAnne emphasized that she felt immense pressure to bounce back quickly after giving birth. “I wanted to feel powerful again,” she said. “I thought if I could do this challenge, I’d prove to myself and others that I was still strong, still me.” She now realizes that her body needed more time and grace and that strength sometimes means knowing when to rest rather than push forward.

The incident has also sparked a broader conversation online about postpartum recovery and the unrealistic expectations placed on new mothers. Many fans and fellow creators have praised BreeAnne for her vulnerability and warned others not to be lured into dangerous trends that can risk serious injury, especially after childbirth. Some have even called for social media platforms to implement clearer disclaimers on challenge videos that involve high-risk physical stunts.

Despite the trauma, BreeAnne is determined to heal and return to her platform with even more honesty. She’s begun documenting her physical therapy, sharing both the highs and lows with her followers. She’s also been vocal about the emotional toll of not being able to care for her newborn in the way she had envisioned. “There’s guilt, and there’s grief,” she said. “But there’s also hope. I know I’ll get there eventually. And if sharing this helps even one mom give herself permission to rest, then it’s worth it.”

The Nicki Minaj Stiletto Challenge, while not inherently dangerous for trained dancers, has now come under scrutiny for how it’s interpreted by everyday users. BreeAnne’s story serves as a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong and why postpartum bodies, no matter how strong, require patience and care.

As she continues her journey back to health, BreeAnne hopes her story can empower others in a different way not through physical feats or viral trends, but through the quiet bravery of healing and asking for help when it’s needed most.