YouTube Influencers v. Piper Rockelle Inc.
Popular Social Media Creators Sue Former Manager for Sexual Battery, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Civil Conspiracy, and more.
A groundbreaking lawsuit brought by the Dhillon Law Group (@DhillonLaw) on behalf of 11 young content creators against Tiffany Rockelle Smith, mother of YouTube star Piper Rockelle, alleging years of emotional, verbal, and physical abuse and exploitation behind the scenes of their popular channel, has been settled.
The plaintiffs, all minors, were part of a group known as the “Squad,” appearing in content that generated significant revenue and millions of views. The lawsuit accused Smith of not only profiting from the minors’ work without compensation but also subjecting them to emotional manipulation, verbal harassment, and sexualized abuse.
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Allegations included forcing the children into humiliating scenarios and fostering a toxic environment. Smith was also accused of leveraging her influence to sabotage the minors’ own YouTube channels as they attempted to break free from the “Squad.”
“My youth was stripped away at a very young age because of Tiffany Rockelle,” said Sophia F., one of the plaintiffs. “This lawsuit was never about money—it was to make sure she couldn’t do what she did to me to another kid.”
“We didn’t pursue this lawsuit to change the industry, but to bring awareness that predators can be found in any field,” said Angela Sharbino, a parent of one of the plaintiffs. “This was about holding the person who harmed our kids accountable.”
The plaintiffs described a damaging work environment, where they were coerced into inappropriate content and subjected to psychological abuse. The lawsuit claimed Smith often made the children feel their self-worth depended on their on-camera performance, while also discouraging independence and dissent.
“I want to publicly commend these 11 kids. They’re smart and brave,” said Matt Sarelson (@MSarelson), a partner at Dhillon Law Group and lead attorney on the case. “What they went through was grotesque. I look forward to watching them thrive as young adults.”
The settlement, nearly three years after the complaint was filed in January 2022, allows the plaintiffs to begin a new chapter.
“This was never about the money—it was about holding an individual accountable, telling the truth, and taking a step toward healing,” said Sharbino. “All of these kids have now moved on from the ‘Squad’ and are closing this chapter of their lives.”
As the digital influencer world continues to grow, the plaintiffs hope their case will raise awareness about the potential dangers for minors in this industry and serve as a warning to others.
