Piper Rockelle has broken her silence on social media multiple times to send subtle but strong messages about her views on Netflix's new docuseries, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kid Influencing – and to tell fans her future plans to address the film in more open terms.
Many were shocked and saddened by the abuse allegations put forward in the film against Piper Rockelle's mother, Tiffany Smith, from former members of a content creator 'Squad' that Tiffany and her boyfriend, Hunter Hill, commanded. The abuse accusations allege Tiffany did not properly pay other content creators who appeared in Piper's videos, that she and Hunter sabotaged any Squad members who stopped working with them (having an impact on their earnings), and in some especially dark instances, Tiffany is accused of inappropriately touching some underage girls.
Many of the ex-Squad participants say in the film they believe Piper is also a victim. One who has been shut off from the world by her mother, who pushed her into fame at a young age, and claim she is being forced to create overly sexual content despite being a minor, including wearing revealing outfits, when Tiffany knows older men are viewing it.
While Tiffany has denied any wrongdoing, shot down all allegations of abuse and has labelled those accusing her as 'jealous' and of being financially motivated, since both she and Piper declined to be involved with the Netflix film, fans have been waiting to hear their side of the story.
Here's everything Piper has seemingly said about Netflix's Bad Influence so far.
What has Piper Rockelle said about Bad Influence?
9 April 2025
On 9 April 2025, Piper posted an Instagram video in which she asks an app if it's worth clearing up rumours about herself with the caption 'Rumors are not fun, rumors hurt someone'. When the app responds by asking Piper if the rumour she's talking about has impacted her life, she replies, "This rumour unfortunately has kind of hurt my lifestyle in a lot of ways but I've just kept going as much as I possibly can. Is it worth trying to tell the truth to everyone who believes this rumour?".
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Later in the video, Piper also asks if the app believes karma is real and if people who do bad things are going to have it come back on them at a later date, hinting that this is how she feels about those who've spoken out against her mother in the Netflix show.
Elsewhere, USA Today reported that Piper sent across an email statement to the outlet which reads: "Honestly, I just want to move on from all of this because it’s really painful to deal with every day. And not surprisingly, my mental health has suffered more than anyone knows. [The rumours are] mean, untrue, and honestly all about money. My mom did not do any of those things that they said. And I’ll stand by my mom to the end."
12 April 2025
In a TikTok post shared on 12 April, Piper lip syncs to some telling lyrics (from 'I know, I know, I know' by ALINA) and shared the caption 'Can't wait to tell my own story and not have other people tell it for me'. It sounds like she's gearing up to speak out when she turns 18 on 21 August.
Cryptically, the lyrics Piper mimes to also seem to suggest she wants people to know she's smarter than she thinks, given many concerned fans are dropping worried comments and suggesting that she has been brainwashed by her mother: "Draw another line, say a quick goodbye. Never care to take the time, baby. Look at me like that. Are you feeling bad? Know you think I’m all attached, but I’m not an idiot".
13 April 2025
On 13 April 2025, Piper posted a 'Get Ready With Me' video in which she kicks off by saying "Get ready with me to go and hang out with my friends! Yeah, I don't think you guys have heard that in years because I have not had friends in a long time."
After running through a series of outfits, Piper then asks viewers to tag people in the comments that she could befriend and concluded, "People suck, people are awful and people lie. And people are just annoying."
She also responded to a comment on the video in which a fan compares her to another former child star, Amanda Bynes – who sadly dealt with mental health issues and a substance abuse problem after being propelled to stardom at a young age. Replying to this, Piper wrote "shhhhh". She hasn't responded to comments in a few days, so this is a break from the norm.
Is Piper Rockelle a victim?
Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK, the co-director of Netflix's Bad Influence, Jenna Kosher shared that she believes Piper is a victim. "Piper is the ultimate victim here, and this documentary is not in any way [meant] to target Piper," she explained. "We have tremendous compassion for Piper, and it's communicated through the interviews, through these kids who were very close to her at one time and still have much love for her and concern over her."
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
