“Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing” is a three-part documentary series that premiered on Netflix on April 9, 2025. It explores the troubling realities behind the world of child influencers, focusing on Piper Rockelle, a popular YouTube star, and her mother, Tiffany Smith, who acted as her manager—or “momager.” Tiffany Smith played a central role in building Piper’s career. Under Tiffany’s guidance, Piper’s social media channels grew rapidly, amassing over 12 million subscribers with content that evolved from simple kid-friendly videos to more scripted, attention-grabbing collaborations with The Squad, which Tiffany orchestrated starting in jelly2018.
At TV Acute, we’re diving into her story—what she’s up to now, the drama that shook her world, and how she’s still steering her daughter’s career through the chaos. Buckle up, because this tale of kidfluencing, lawsuits, and resilience is anything but boring!
Tiffany Smith: The Mom Who Built a Digital Empire
Tiffany Smith isn’t your average mom—she’s the mastermind who turned her daughter Piper Rockelle into a digital superstar. Hailing from Georgia, Tiffany’s own story is a rollercoaster. She’s opened up about a rough childhood, with her parents splitting up, getting back together, and an allegedly abusive dad thrown into the mix. Still, she crushed it in school, snagging first-chair flute in her orchestra—a little hint of the determination that’d define her later. After high school, she chased modeling gigs, but life had other plans. By 2007, she was a single mom, welcoming Piper Rockelle on August 21 while working as a dog groomer. Her partner bolted before Piper was even born, leaving Tiffany to figure it all out solo.
Tiffany spotted Piper’s star power early. At the tender age of 4, Piper was eager to perform, and Tiffany eagerly embraced the opportunity. She started small—baby pageants and local shows—fueling Piper’s dreams with a mom’s fierce love. Fast forward to 2016, and Piper, then 11, was posting on YouTube, racking up views with her bubbly vibe. She even scored a breakout role in Mani, a web series that put her on the map. Tiffany didn’t just cheer from the sidelines—she became Piper’s “momager,” calling the shots and building a brand from scratch.
In 2019, Tiffany made a bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles in pursuit of greater opportunities. She teamed up with Hunter Hill, her boyfriend and Piper’s on-screen “big brother,” to churn out content that hooked millions. From cute vlogs to viral challenges, Tiffany crafted a digital empire, turning Piper into a household name. It wasn’t just luck—she had grit, vision, and a knack for the online game. Love her or not, Tiffany’s hustle built something massive, one video at a time!
The Squad: A Dream Team Gone Wrong
Tiffany Smith didn’t just stop at making Piper a star—she built “The Squad,” a crew of young influencers like Sawyer Sharbino, Sophie Fergi, and Corinne Joy, all orbiting Piper’s YouTube channel. It started as a genius move: a bunch of kids, mostly Piper’s pals, filming at Tiffany’s LA home. Think silly pranks, daily life vlogs, and those flirty “crush” videos that tweens eat up. The Squad was a hit, pulling in billions of views and turning Piper Rockelle Inc. into a cash machine—some estimate it hauled in $300,000 to $625,000 monthly at its peak. Tiffany managed the show, establishing schedules and generating ideas, while Hunter Hill took care of the camera and editing. Some kids even moved in, making it a full-on content factory.
For a period, it appeared to be the perfect job—friends interacting, creating videos, and experiencing the ultimate life. But cracks formed fast. By 2021, parents started yanking their kids out, whispering about shady vibes. What went south? Allegations piled up: long hours, no pay, and a vibe that felt more like work than play. The situation intensified when Tiffany’s parents alleged that she had crossed both emotional and physical boundaries. The Squad transformed from a close-knit group to a volatile situation, with a messy fallout imminent.
The Lawsuit That Rocked the Rockelles
In January 2022, 11 parents of ex-Squad members hit Tiffany and Hunter with a $22 million lawsuit. They claimed Tiffany exploited their kids—emotionally, physically, and financially. No contracts? No pay? They claimed Tiffany had no issues, accusing her of treating the children as employees without adhering to child labor laws. The accusations got darker: harassment, inappropriate comments, even molestation. One bombshell? A deleted livestream purportedly showed Tiffany kissing a 17-year-old boy. Parents also said she trashed their kids’ YouTube channels with hate campaigns after they left, tanking their views.
The fallout was brutal. YouTube demonetized Piper’s channel in 2022, slashing their cash flow. Former collaborators, including some who had lived with Tiffany, also voiced their opinions, stating that Piper prioritized filming over his education. They accused Tiffany of copying trends to keep the channel hot, all while keeping a tight grip on everything.
Tiffany Fights Back: “It’s All Lies!”
Tiffany Smith didn’t back down when faced with the $22 million lawsuit in January 2022—instead, she responded forcefully. In a December 2022 interview, Tiffany Smith sharply criticized the allegations, claiming they were untrue. “Employer? Me? No way,” she said. “These kids were just filming at my house with a phone—it wasn’t a job!” She also addressed the hate campaign claims, dismissing them. “Their channels tanked? That’s what happens when you ditch Piper’s star power,” she argued, painting it as a natural drop, not sabotage. To Tiffany, the whole thing smelled like a cash grab by bitter parents.
She didn’t stop there. In 2023, she reversed the situation by initiating a $30 million countersuit against the plaintiffs, accusing them of fabricating false allegations to coerce her. She pointed fingers at their “conspiracy,” especially the sexual abuse claims, saying it was all a smear job. That suit fizzled—she dropped it later—but it showed her fight. In October 2024, a $1.85 million deal was reached, significantly less than the initial demand. Tiffany remained silent after the deal, offering neither a victory lap nor an apology. Her stance? She’s a mom, not a monster, and she’s sticking to it, regardless of what the haters say.
Where’s Tiffany Smith Today?
Tiffany Smith remains in Los Angeles, continues to serve as Piper’s “momager,” and is likely still in a relationship with Hunter Hill. Following the 2024 settlement, Tiffany Smith has subdued public discourse, but her journey is far from over. Piper, now 17 years old, is dominating TikTok with 14.7 million followers and Instagram with 6.1 million, sharing dance videos and fun moments with her boyfriend, Capri. Tiffany is the driving force behind all of this, leading the way even after YouTube’s demonetization reduced their previous revenue stream. She now holds a permit to work with minors, adhering to the new regulations.
Tiffany’s also flexed some creative muscle lately. She’s popped up in Piper’s music videos and racked up credits on the Piper Rockelle TV series—nine on-screen roles, plus writing two episodes and producing one between 2020 and 2023. Is she hinting at a bigger Hollywood move? Could be! For now, though, her main gig is keeping Piper’s brand alive. The lawsuit left scars—$1.85 million isn’t insignificant—but Tiffany isn’t giving up. She’s adapting, hustling, and betting on Piper’s next big win. Love her or hate her, she’s still in the game, proving she’s tougher than the drama.
Read More: Where Is Piper Rockelle Now? The Kidfluencer’s Latest Update in 2025
