The Dark Side of Kid Influencing: Piper Rockelle’s Mom Criticizes Netflix

Outspoken momager Tiffany Smith is making her voice heard in response to the accusations thrown her way in the recent Netflix docuseries Down Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing. The show highlighted claims of misconduct by former members of her daughter Piper Rockelle’s YouTube “Squad” but Smith adamantly denies these allegations.

In an exclusive statement to E! News, Smith expressed the pain she and her daughter have endured due to these accusations and the subsequent Netflix series. She claims that the accusations are baseless and that her daughter is now being exploited under the guise of protecting kids. Smith urges viewers to see through the smoke and mirrors presented in the three-part series, which accuses her of creating unfit working conditions, harassment, and failure to properly compensate Rockelle’s YouTube collaborators who were minors at the time.

According to Smith, the accusers were mostly stage moms pushing their kids into the limelight, and money was the toxic motivator behind their actions. She reveals that none of the parents had issues with them until they felt their YouTube channel was outpacing their own in terms of earnings. Smith believes that a thorough investigation has already absolved her of any guilt, as evidenced by the fact that the claims against her were wild and untrue.

Smith emphasizes that the allegations regarding conduct, working hours, and inappropriate clothing are also false, stating that the flood of scrutiny and hate has taken a toll on Piper’s mental health. She calls out Netflix for producing the project, accusing them of putting kids at risk by using Piper’s performances, image, and likeness without permission or payment.

The docuseries, Down Bad Influence, premiered on Netflix on April 9, showcasing several teenage influencers describing the allegedly harsh working conditions they experienced while collaborating with Piper Rockelle on videos between 2017 and 2020. Influencer Sophie Fergi revealed that they were filming 10 to 15 videos a day, often working late into the night without breaks.

Following the release of the docuseries, both Tiffany Smith and Piper Rockelle have spoken out against the accusations, with Rockelle denouncing the show as mean, untrue, and motivated by money. Smith’s legal history and previous lawsuit settlements were also addressed, with her standing firm in her denial of any wrongdoing.

For more details on similar controversies involving influencers, stay tuned for more updates.