A bridesmaid has left internet viewers in stitches for her creative dance routine to break in her wedding shoes.
Mady Macintyre (@mady_macintyre), 25, from Nova Scotia, Canada, shared a comical “Rasputin” dance routine, sporting her silver-heeled sandals with a pair of socks, as she tackled various activities such as walking on the treadmill, performing cartwheels, handstands, and even jumping.
The video, which has garnered over 192,000 likes and more than 2.4 million views on TikTok, showcases Macintyre’s commitment to making sure her heels were wedding-day ready.
“I was inspired to make the TikTok because I used to be a competitive dancer for 13 years, and I love to bust out some classic moves whenever I hit the dance floor,” Macintyre, who works as a recruiter, told Newsweek.
Macintyre performs her inspired routine at home. The bridesmaid impressed viewers with her energetic performance in heels.
@mady_macintyre/@mady_macintyre
“The Rasputin dance is a go-to, so it felt fitting to practice that in my heels for the big day. The heels were super comfortable and lasted through the entire wedding day, which was my best friend’s wedding where I was a bridesmaid,” Macintyre said.
The “Rasputin” dance, popularized by the video game Just Dance 2, became a viral challenge on TikTok due to its energetic choreography. The song and video “Rasputin” by Boney M, with its fast-paced rhythm and bold footwork, has inspired dancers to recreate the memorable moves. The routine often showcases impressive legwork, and it is not surprising Macintyre’s strong knees got attention.
“All the bridesmaids wore the same heels, and while I ended the night barefoot, which is pretty inevitable for me, it just means it was a great night!” Macintyre said.
When it comes to breaking in heels, she isn’t alone. The experts at Shoe Zero say that it is crucial to wear new heels around the house, ideally with thick socks, to soften the material and reduce friction. Other strategies include bending and twisting the shoe to loosen it up and using shoe stretchers or special sprays to make the fit more comfortable.
Reflecting on her experience, Macintyre said: “I’ve broken in heels before by wearing them all day while working from home, which my coworkers found hilarious. This time, I wanted to document it with a fun twist, so I turned it into a TikTok. I took a bit of inspiration from Christina Kirkman, who is such an icon.”
Christina Kirkman is an American actress and comedian who started out on Nickelodeon but since has gained a significant online following.
“Her confidence to be herself made me want to show a bit of my own personality in the video. I think it resonated with people because it’s something so relatable, and I love that it made people smile. It’s been amazing reading all the comments and seeing how others break in their heels too!” Macintyre added.
When choosing wedding shoes, expert Jenn Sinrich says you should consider comfort just as much as style. The right ones will have a sturdy heel, proper cushioning, and good arch support. Brides.com advises trying on shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are naturally a bit swollen, to ensure the fit will still be comfortable, even after hours of standing and dancing.
Commenters couldn’t get enough of Macintyre’s playful routine.
“How old are you? Your knees are great! (I could never),” posted Mariela.
“If they don’t play Rasputin for you I’ll be upset,” added Cassie Plunkett.
“Breaking them in wearing socks, that’s so simple yet GENIUS,” commented Kirby.
“Based on prep alone, this wedding is going to be epic, and probably a little dangerous,” wrote another user.
