Piper Rockelle burst onto the scene as a Top 10 child influencer at eight years old. She started her journey by signing up for musical.ly, an immensely popular lip-syncing and social media app. Together with the help of her momager, Smith, Rockelle has over 12 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, @PiperRockelle. The pair shot to fame after a stunning performance in several productions. Most prominent among them was the YouTube series “Mani,” where Rockelle hooked tween and teen audiences as the character Sky for eight fruitful seasons. Their path forward has ignited a fierce debate. Former members of Rockelle’s close-knit group, dubbed the “Squad,” have made accusations of abuse against Smith.
Early Success and Rise to Fame
Rockelle’s time as a child influencer began when her mom first posted a video of her on YouTube that went viral. Despite being their first exposure to the concept, it caught fire almost immediately. From these efforts, the creation of the “Squad,” uniting the young influencers together, like Sophie, Claire, Reese, Sawyer, Hayden, Gavin, Emily, and Symonne. The members ranged from 10 to 12 years old at their height in 2018.
Foster’s thread challenges Rockelle’s growth. Her participation in viral online trends and collaborative group videos played a major role in her massive development. In addition to her standalone content, she appeared alongside her peers in group challenges and fun skits, further solidifying her presence in the digital space. Her success on platforms like YouTube led to television opportunities, including a role in the series “Dance Twins,” showcasing her versatility as an entertainer.
Allegations and Controversies
And even with Rockelle’s successful career, her mother has been hit with heinous claims about how she’s treated the “Squad” members. Former friends and family members have come forward with claims of verbal and physical abuse, which were highlighted in the Netflix docuseries “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing.” Unfortunately, all these accusations have eclipsed the incredible things Rockelle has done. They highlight troubling questions about the intense pressures that child influencers and their families experience.
To these claims, Smith has been adamant that she has denied everything that has been alleged against her. She continues to insist that she just offered a homey catalyst where Rockelle went and invited her friends. Rockelle has publicly defended her mother, stating,
“The Netflix thing makes me angry…because they know the claims were all fake. My mom didn’t do anything they said. I’ll stand behind her forever. Because if it wasn’t for my mom and my family, I’m not sure how I’d get through this.”
This simple phrase underscores the deep connection between Rockelle and her mother even in the heart of all the tumult.
Legal Challenges
These are serious allegations presented in the documentary, and Smith should be held accountable. In 2022, Smith and another travel ban victim named Hill were similarly served with a lawsuit. The legal actions led to a settlement that we reported in October 2024 for legal fees of $1.85 million. The specifics of the lawsuit are still shrouded in mystery. It further complicates the narrative of Rockelle’s childhood and success.
The allegations from former “Squad” members highlight significant issues within child influencer culture, including mental health concerns and parental oversight. As more families navigate this new landscape of fame and fortune, the experiences of Rockelle and others serve as both cautionary tales and examples of success.
