All the shocking and dangerous influencer challenges that have ended in complete disaster
One person ended up with a serious spinal fracture
If there’s one thing reality stars and influencers love, it’s a viral challenge. Whether it’s lip-syncing, dance routines, or wild stunts for the ‘gram, no trend is safe from the clutches of reality TV stars. But while some challenges blow up into cultural moments (remember the Ice Bucket Challenge?), others crash and burn in spectacularly messy fashion. And when influencers are involved, especially those fresh off a reality TV set, it’s almost guaranteed that chaos is coming.
The cinnamon challenge
Ah, the Cinnamon Challenge. What started as a silly dare to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon turned into one of the most notorious internet fails. Plenty of people tried it, but when TV stars jumped on board, things got extra chaotic. Games of Thrones’ Maisie Williams gave it a go, as well as YouTuber GloZell. Former Love Island contestants filmed themselves coughing up clouds of cinnamon, turning what was meant to be ‘sexy influencer content’ into a full-blown wheeze-fest. Some even ended up in hospital with breathing problems. Not quite the glamorous vibe they were going for. Moral of the story? Not every viral challenge needs a ring light and a hashtag.
The Kylie Jenner lip challenge
Back in 2015, when Kylie Jenner’s pout was the most talked-about feature in Hollywood, the infamous Kylie Jenner lip challenge took over social media. Countless people stuck their lips into shot glasses to mimic her look, and ended up with bruises, busted blood vessels, and, in some cases, a trip to A&E. To this day, the Kylie lip challenge remains one of the most ridiculous beauty trends influencers ever tried, and a reminder that plumped-up lips are best left to professionals, not glassware.
Milk crate challenge
One of TikTok’s most dangerous trends, the Milk Crate Challenge, involved people stacking milk crates into pyramid-shaped towers and trying to climb across them. Predictably, most ended up face-planting in spectacular fashion. The challenge was eventually banned by TikTok for promoting dangerous behaviour, but not before YouTubers milked it for all it was worth…
In My Feelings challenge
When Drake’s song In My Feelings went viral, influencers started hopping out of moving cars to dance alongside them. Loads of celebrities tried it too, and while some nailed the choreography, others ended up fumbling the moves. Police departments worldwide begged people to stop, and even Will Smith’s version (filmed on a bridge in Budapest) couldn’t distract from the fact that the challenge was basically an accident waiting to happen.
The Nicki Minaj stiletto challenge
The Stiletto Challenge, inspired by Nicki Minaj’s iconic pose in her 2013 High School video, became one of the most dangerous and glamorous viral trends of 2025. Influencers attempted to balance in high heels on unstable household items, everything from soup cans to traffic cones, while trying to recreate Minaj’s daring stance. Nicki herself joined the trend, issuing a playful warning to keep both feet on the ground, but not everyone was so lucky. Russian influencer Mariana Barutkina, just eight weeks postpartum, fell off her kitchen counter while attempting the stunt and suffered a serious spinal fracture, proving that this trend was far from harmless. Mikayla Matthews from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives also caused a stir when she endangered her three week old baby whilst doing the trend blindfolded. Meanwhile, celebrities like Ciara executed the pose flawlessly, showing off balance and grace while keeping it safe. The Stiletto Challenge became a viral reminder that clout and creativity can collide spectacularly, sometimes with shocking consequences.
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