Podiatrists warn about dangers of ‘Barbie Foot Challenge’
We can all be Barbie girls — but doctors are warning not to take it too literally.
The new “Barbie” movie has taken the internet by storm, inspiring culture and fashion, dubbed “Barbiecore,” and even contributing to a pink paint shortage.
But one scene, in particular, has become infamous, with people obsessing over it since the trailer first dropped: Margot Robbie’s now-iconic arched foot scene.
The shot shows the 33-year-old actress’s legs walking down a bright pink hallway in sparkly, furry high heels, which she slips out of and enters relevé, rising on the tips of her toes while her heels remain in the air — an ode to the way the Mattel doll’s feet are designed.
Director Greta Gerwig notably refused to CGI the foot scene, saying it would’ve been a “nightmare.”
“Everyone said, ‘Are you going to CGI all the feet?’ And I thought, ‘Oh God, no! That’s terrifying! That’s a nightmare.’ Also, Margot [Robbie] has the nicest feet. She has these beautiful dancer feet. She should just . . . do it,” Gerwig, 39, told the hosts of Australian talk show “The Project.”
People on TikTok have taken their amazement by the scene to the next level, recreating it for what’s being called the “Barbie Foot Challenge.”
The hashtags #BarbieFeet and #BarbieFeetChallenge have garnered a combined total of over 80 million views on the platform, and search interest for “Barbie Foot Challenge” increased 2,950% over the course of one week, Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center reported.
The originator of the trend, TikToker Shanna Scribner, posted the first video — which has over 192,900 views — saying the trailer inspired her to create a new challenge.
Even Chrissy Teigen joined in on the trend, stepping out of her pink heels and re-creating the positioning of the legs and feet of the Mattel doll.
However, the massive interest in the trend has podiatrists concerned.
“Although the Barbie Arch makes a woman’s legs appear longer and toner, it is not without risk. If someone attempts the pose once or twice, they will likely be ok and produce a great TikTok video,” Dr. Jodi R. Schoenhaus, DPM, RPhs, FACFAS and board-certified podiatrist at Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center, told The Post by email.
“However, if attempting the pose and stride over long periods, there are some risks involved. The ankle is unstable, which can lead to ligament sprains and injuries, commonly seen with high heel use.”
Dr. Schoenhaus added that the high-arched position of the Barbie foot can lead to muscle and spine issues since it strains the lower back — and it can also damage growth plates, a warning to younger girls who are still growing.
Many think this foot position is similar to simply wearing high heels, but Schoenhaus points out that there’s a big difference: support.
The foot may be in the same position both when wearing heels and when standing in the Barbie arch, but the heels add support to the heel and rear of the foot while Barbie Foot has no support at all, placing more strain on the body.
“To walk on your toes without heels isn’t sustainable, and, in fact, the reality in the movie is that Barbie actually has flatfeet, along with 30% of the population,” Schoenhaus explained. “Considering we aren’t trained ballerinas en pointe, let’s keep the fad to movie stars who have props and multiple takes to make it look perfect.”
Another trend revolving around heels that was sparked by Barbiecore is “Barbie-foot heels,” which happen to simply be clear heels.
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