The Dark Side of Kidfluencing: The Disturbing Truth About Piper Rockelle and Momager Tiffany Smith
In 2016, eight-year-old Piper Rockelle captured hearts online with her first YouTube video, making homemade slime. With help from her mother and self-styled “momager,” Tiffany Smith, Piper’s fame skyrocketed. Smith, fiercely devoted to her daughter’s stardom, began recruiting other young content creators to join what became known as “The Squad.” Their bubbly vlogs and prank videos racked up billions of views during the height of the influencer boom, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns. On the surface, it looked like a group of children living a dream, but behind the camera, a far darker reality was playing out.
The Squad’s Glamour Turned Nightmare
By 2022, that dream turned into a legal and emotional nightmare. Eleven former Squad members filed a $22 million lawsuit against Smith and her boyfriend, Hunter Hill, accusing them of fostering a toxic and abusive environment. The allegations included emotional manipulation, verbal and physical abuse, and shockingly, even claims of sexual misconduct. Former Squad members detailed being forced into suggestive and inappropriate situations, such as kissing games and being directed to wear revealing outfits, all under the guise of content creation. What was billed as “just for views” left long-lasting emotional scars.
Legal Battles and a Painful Settlement
Smith denied the allegations and countersued for $30 million, claiming she was being extorted. But her lawsuit was quickly dropped, and the parties eventually settled out of court for $1.8 million. Smith admitted no wrongdoing. According to former Squad member Sophie Fergi, the lawsuit wasn’t about the money, it was about protecting other children from experiencing the same treatment. The Netflix docuseries Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing gives voice to these young influencers and their families, offering a chilling look at what goes on behind the curated perfection of social media stardom.
Where Are They Now?
Now 17, Piper Rockelle continues to create content, though less frequently than in her peak years. Despite YouTube demonetizing her channel following the lawsuit, she still commands a massive audience: over 14 million TikTok followers, 12 million YouTube subscribers, and 6 million Instagram fans. Through it all, Piper has stood by her mother, calling the accusations “mean, untrue, and honestly all about money.”
