Behind the “Starving Baby” Experiment: How One Woman Used TikTok to Challenge the Church

What happens when faith meets a test of compassion? For TikTok creator Nikalie Monroe (@nikalie.monroe), that question became the heart of a bold and controversial social experiment now known across social media as “The Starving Baby.”

In the video, Nikalie, who does not have a child, calls a series of churches pretending to be a young mother in distress. Her story is simple but gut-wrenching: her baby hasn’t eaten since the night before, and she’s desperate for help. Over the course of the experiment, Nikalie reached out to 42 churches. Only nine offered tangible assistance. Thirty-three said no, including Joel Osteen’s church (Lakewood Church), one of the largest megachurches in the country. 

The numbers stunned viewers, and soon, the internet had something to say.

“The pastor of this church, Joel Osteen? His net worth is over $50 million. Let that sink in”, one commenter wrote. 

“Lakewood... The one that locked its doors to people during a hurricane”, another user replied. 

“Joel Osteen would NEVER! He didn’t get a mega mansion & multiple high end sports cars by doing the Lord’s work”, another person commented. 

A Test of Faith–Not a Real Baby

Nikalie clarified early on that the baby in her story wasn’t real. The goal wasn’t to deceive but to reveal—to see whether institutions built on compassion and service were still living by those values. The “starving baby” became a symbol–a mirror reflecting the state of modern faith-based outreach.

The Power of the Social Experiment

In an age where digital activism often gets dismissed as “performative,” Monroe’s experiment did something rare: it sparked action. Comment sections filled with debate, empathy, and even apologies from churchgoers who admitted they hadn’t realized how inaccessible their congregations had become to those in crisis.

Others defended the churches, suggesting limited resources or policies may have prevented them from helping. But for Monroe, the larger point wasn’t to shame; it was to start a conversation about accountability and compassion.

Social media, at its best, can serve as a mirror to the systems that quietly fail us. And in this case, that mirror revealed how the modern church may be losing touch with the very people it was meant to serve.

When the Internet Becomes a Pulpit

It’s no secret that more and more people are turning away from traditional institutions and toward digital spaces for community, purpose, and truth. Creators like Nikalie are filling the gaps by using platforms like TikTok not just for education, exposure, and empathy.

What makes Monroe’s approach powerful is that it doesn’t rely on lectures or judgment. It relies on storytelling that goes beyond religion; it’s about humanity. And in today’s attention economy, that distinction matters.

Beyond the Views

While millions watched the videos, Monroe’s conversation didn't stop at the screen. In fact, 42 million Americans were left without SNAP benefits for November due to the government shutdown. Food insecurity is still a daily reality for millions of families across America. Churches, along with community organizations and nonprofits, can all play a crucial role in meeting those needs.

What the “Starving Baby” experiment shows us is that awareness is only the first step. The true measure of faith, compassion, and community lies in what we do next.

In the end, Nikalie Monroe didn’t need a real baby to prove her point. She just needed us to listen.

HER Lounge | PVMmag.com

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