Summary:
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Bad Infuence: Eleven former squad members sued Tiffany Smith in 2022 for alleged abuse.
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Netflix’s Bad Influence (released April 9, 2025) focuses on these members and the influencer industry.
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Most continue content creation, while others have stepped away following the lawsuit settlement.
The Netflix docuseries Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing shines a light on the young creators who made up Piper Rockelle’s content squad. Eleven of these former collaborators filed a lawsuit against her mother and manager Tiffany Smith, alleging abuse and exploitation. As the spotlight intensifies, questions arise about who these influencers were and what they’re doing now.
Who Were the Squad Members in Bad Influence?

The central figures in Bad Influence are 11 former squad members who filed a lawsuit against Tiffany Smith, alleging an abusive and exploitative environment. The suit, originally filed in January 2022 and settled for $1.85 million in October 2024, became a focal point of the docuseries released on April 9, 2025.
The following influencers were identified through court records and documentary features as part of the lawsuit:
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Sophie Fergi
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Sawyer Sharbino
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Symonne Harrison
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Donald Dougher
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Ayden Mekus
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Connor Cain
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Hayden Haas
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Walker Bryant
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Corinne Joy
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Claire Rock Smith
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Reese Rock Smith
These creators were central to Piper Rockelle’s YouTube channel from 2018 to 2021, participating in prank videos, challenges, and scripted series. The lawsuit described the production environment as “emotionally, physically, and sometimes sexually abusive,” a claim investigated in detail in the three-part Netflix series.
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What Are the Former Squad Members Doing Now?

Following the legal battle, many former squad members have chosen diverse paths. Some remain prominent in entertainment, while others have withdrawn from the public eye. Here’s a breakdown of each member’s current status (People):
Name | Left Squad Year | Current Status |
Sophie Fergi | 2020 | Co-hosts “GIRL TALK,” shared Bad Influence experience |
Sawyer Sharbino | 2021 | Shifted to music, active on social media |
Symonne Harrison | 2021 | Active on social media, launched “The Friendzone” podcast in March 2025 |
Donald Dougher | 2021 | Shares updates, recently traveled to Africa |
Ayden Mekus | 2021 | Over 13 million TikTok followers, active content creator |
Connor Cain | 2021 | Appears to have stepped away from influencer career |
Hayden Haas | 2021 | Stopped posting on YouTube and Instagram since September 2024 |
Walker Bryant | 2021 | Stepped away from YouTube, shares workout videos on Instagram |
Corinne Joy | 2019 | Pursuing acting and pro-wrestling, active on social media |
Claire Rock Smith | 2021 | Active content creator, starred in “WHO’S CLAIRE” |
Reese Rock Smith | 2021 |
Youngest member, featured in documentary alleging abuse, likely under guidance
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How Did the Squad Lawsuit Reshape Their Careers?

The 2022 lawsuit and subsequent media attention significantly altered the trajectory of these young influencers. According to Los Angeles Times and People, the lawsuit accused Tiffany Smith of:
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Inappropriate physical contact and emotional manipulation
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Failure to comply with child labor laws
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Financial exploitation
The $1.85 million settlement in October 2024 did not require an admission of guilt, but it acknowledged the claims’ gravity. Several of the litigants described ongoing trauma in the docuseries, with Bad Influence offering a detailed look into their collective experiences and how the pressures of child stardom took a personal toll.
While many squad members remain visible online, the frequency and tone of their content have changed. For example, creators like Claire Rock Smith and Symonne Harrison have taken more personal approaches, while others such as Connor Cain and Hayden Haas appear to have retreated entirely from public view.
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Were There Other Squad Members Not Involved in the Lawsuit?

Yes. Bad Influence focuses on the 11 members involved in the legal action, but Piper Rockelle’s broader social circle once included several additional creators, some of whom were not featured in the lawsuit. Notable names include:
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Lev Cameron: A longtime collaborator and rumored romantic interest of Piper, he was not named in the lawsuit and has remained publicly supportive of her.
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Jentzen Ramirez: Previously part of the squad but has not commented publicly on the lawsuit.
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Gavin Magnus: Maintains a strong online presence as a rapper and influencer. He was not involved in the lawsuit and continues creating music content.
These creators represent a broader group who either left before the lawsuit or remained uninvolved. Their continued activity demonstrates the fractured nature of Piper Rockelle’s content collective and the varying outcomes for former collaborators.
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What Does the Docuseries Reveal About Child Influencing?

Netflix’s Bad Influence highlights not just the allegations against Tiffany Smith but also the larger systemic issues within the influencer industry. Through interviews with former squad members, parents, journalists, and child labor advocates, the series addresses:
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The absence of legal oversight in social media entertainment.
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The risks of unsupervised production involving minors.
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The psychological effects of early fame and online exposure.
The show features commentary from experts like Taylor Lorenz and legal analysts who push for reform in content creation involving minors. In response to cases like Rockelle’s, California passed new laws tightening regulations around monetized child labor on digital platforms.
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The former squad members of Bad Influence have taken varied paths since their time under Piper Rockelle’s brand. While some have reinvented themselves in music, podcasting, or acting, others have chosen to exit the spotlight altogether. The 2022 lawsuit and resulting 2024 settlement reshaped not just their careers but also the conversation around child safety in digital media.
Source: Cosmopolitan
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