A mom of four is standing her ground after facing criticism for doing a viral dance challenge while holding her newborn baby. Mikayla Matthews, 25, took part in the popular Nicki Minaj stiletto challenge on social media, but her version included holding her daughter Lottie during the pose.
The stiletto challenge involves doing a cross-legged squat while wearing high heels. Many social media users have tried this difficult balancing act, following the pattern of viral TikTok challenges that spread rapidly across the platform, but Mikayla’s decision to hold her newborn while attempting it sparked debate online. The video was meant to be fun and lighthearted, but it quickly drew critical comments from viewers.
When faced with backlash, Mikayla fired back with a clear message. “I think it’s cause it’s my body and I know what I am capable of doing,” she wrote in response to critics on Instagram. This direct reply came after a commenter questioned her choice, calling it “bizarre behaviour just for the clicks” and worrying about what could happen if she fell.
Mom defends viral video with photo comparison
Mikayla didn’t stop at just one response. She took to her Instagram Stories on Saturday, August 9, to further defend her actions. She shared a photo showing herself balanced on a step stool that was only 5 inches off the ground. She captioned it “What actually happened…”
Right after that photo, she posted the same image but edited it to show herself on a burning tightrope with sharks swimming below. This dramatic comparison was labeled “Vs. what everyone saw..” The side-by-side images were meant to show how people had blown her stunt out of proportion.
The stiletto challenge has become a major trend on TikTok recently. However, it has also raised safety concerns after some attempts went wrong, adding to the list of dangerous TikTok trends that have concerned parents. Influencer Mariana Vasiuc recently fell while trying the challenge as a postpartum mom and ended up with a spinal injury. This incident brought more attention to the potential dangers of the balancing act.
Mikayla and her husband, Jace Terry, 30, just welcomed baby Lottie on July 17. The couple already has three other children: daughters Tommie, 3, and Haven, 5 and a half, plus son Beckham, 8. As a MomToker with four kids, Mikayla is no stranger to sharing her family life online, but this particular video brought more attention than usual.
The debate over Mikayla’s video shows the ongoing tension between personal freedom and safety concerns on social media. While some people support her right to make her own choices, others worry about the message it sends to other new moms who might try similar stunts.
