Unpacking Netflix’s Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing
Netflix’s latest docuseries, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, delves into the complex lives of Tiffany Smith and her daughter, Piper Rockelle, following the fallout from a notorious scandal. Directed by Kief Davidson, known for his Oscar-nominated work on Open Heart, this three-part series shines a light on the rise of Piper as a child influencer, alongside a group known as The Squad, initially curated by her mother, Tiffany. This captivating docuseries not only traces the origins of the “kidfluencer”phenomenon but also uncovers the myriad challenges faced by its young stars behind the scenes.
Piper Rockelle’s Rise as a Kid Influencer
Piper Rockelle embarked on her journey in the digital space at just eight years old, collaboratively creating content with her mother, Tiffany Smith, and her partner, Hunter Hill. She quickly attracted a significant audience across various platforms. Piper’s popularity surged with the formation of The Squad— a collective of young content creators who frequently collaborated with her on a variety of engaging videos. However, interviews from the docuseries reveal a more complicated reality; former members describe a toxic workplace under Tiffany’s management, contrasting with the cheerful façade presented in their videos.
The Lawsuit Filed Against Tiffany Smith
Details of the 2022 Lawsuit
In 2018, Tiffany Smith assembled The Squad to enhance her daughter’s content. The videos featured scripted scenarios, relationships, challenges, and pranks intended to engage viewers. In the first episode of the docuseries, Sawyer Sharbino, a former member of the Squad, noted that their content followed a formula akin to that of older internet groups, albeit with children. As The Squad’s fame grew, so did concerns regarding Tiffany’s parental style, which former members and their families described as “questionable”(as highlighted in a TIME article).
In 2022, 11 ex-members of The Squad initiated a substantial $22 million lawsuit against Tiffany Smith and Hunter Hill. They reported grave instances of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse during their tenure making content with Piper Rockelle (according to Netflix). Inside the docuseries, Sophie Fergi, a former member, portrayed the grueling demands they faced, revealing that the group often filmed up to 15 videos in a single day, extending their work hours to over 13 without appropriate breaks. Another participant, Sawyer, recalled being treated like a puppet, constantly instructed on what to do, while Fergi discussed the excessive house-cleaning demands imposed on them post-filming.
The lawsuit included allegations that the young creators received inappropriate and explicit instructions during their shoots, often without proper compensation for their contributions. In response, Tiffany Smith filed her own counter-lawsuit for $30 million, accusing the mothers of the petitioners of extortion through fabricated claims, although this was soon dropped due to lack of evidence. Ultimately, the case reached a conclusion before a trial, resulting in a settlement of $1.8 million (per The Independent).
Current Status of Piper Rockelle
Piper’s Response to Allegations Against Her Mother
Despite the controversies, Piper Rockelle continues her influence career, maintaining an active online presence without participating in Bad Influence. Alongside Tiffany and Hunter Hill, she issued a statement in 2022 refuting the allegations, expressing feelings of betrayal by former Squad members. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Rockelle remarked, “These people, they just don’t love me. If they did love me, they wouldn’t be doing this”(cited in People). She categorically denies any abuse claims against her mother, dismissing the accusations as “mean, untrue and honestly all about money”(as reported by USA Today Entertainment).
Piper Rockelle retains an impressive following: 14.7 million on TikTok, 6.1 million on Instagram, and 12.1 million on YouTube. Following the allegations against her mother, YouTube demonetized her channel (referenced in NME). The docuseries reveals concerns expressed by former Squad members and their parents regarding Piper’s wellbeing, suggesting that her recent content has raised red flags. While Rockelle continues to reject allegations of abuse, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing vividly illustrates the troubling realities faced by many young influencers encompassed within her Squad.
Sources:
YouTube,
TIME,
Netflix,
The Independent,
People,
USA Today Entertainment,
NME