Piper Rockelle Shares Her Journey of Growing Up Online and the Struggles with Trust

Piper Rockelle.
Credit :

Piper Rockelle/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• Piper Rockelle, a former child YouTuber, discusses her upbringing in the spotlight and her recent debut on OnlyFans.
• The internet sensation gained fame at just 8 years old when her mother started posting videos of her on YouTube.
• Rockelle candidly shares, “I don’t think anyone takes my relationships or my friendships seriously, so I just don’t take most of them seriously either.”

Piper Rockelle is reflecting on her unique experience of growing up in the public eye.

Now 18, Rockelle’s life has revolved around the internet from a young age. Her mother, Tiffany Smith, began sharing videos of her on YouTube when she was just eight, quickly propelling her into the spotlight as part of the "Piper Squad," a group of young content creators.

However, in 2022, controversy struck when eleven teens involved in the project filed a lawsuit against Smith. They alleged that they were underpaid for their contributions and that they experienced "inappropriate, offensive, and abusive treatment," including "wildly offensive and sexually explicit comments."

Smith denied the allegations and settled the lawsuit in October 2024 for nearly $2 million, specifically disclaiming any liability. The public scrutiny intensified in April 2025 with the release of Netflix’s docuseries Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, which revisited the claims against Rockelle’s mother during her formative years online.

Nearly a year after the docuseries premiered and just months after her 18th birthday, Rockelle opened up to PEOPLE about her current life, her controversial decision to start an OnlyFans account, and the dynamics of her personal relationships.

Piper Rockelle.

Piper Rockelle/Instagram

On January 1, following weeks of speculation, Rockelle launched her OnlyFans account—an anticipated move she says dominated her conversations leading up to the launch.

Aware of the backlash she might face, she acknowledges the criticisms about her influence on a young audience but asserts, “I didn’t really care.”

“I thrive off of the hate,” she claims, asserting that criticism has contributed to her sustained relevance in the online space. “Honestly, I think hate has kept me around for a long, long, long time. I think, without it, I would have become a little bit irrelevant.”

Despite the controversy, Rockelle’s decision proved financially rewarding. Within 24 hours of launching, she reported earnings close to $3 million, revealing that her first purchase was a new car for her grandmother.

Nevertheless, when asked about her support network amidst online criticism, Rockelle expressed mistrust. “I don’t trust anybody,” she stated. “Each time I do trust someone, it just proves another reason why I shouldn’t.”

Rockelle detailed her perspective on relationships, stating, “I’m cool with what I have. I don’t think anyone takes my relationships or my friendships seriously, so I just don’t take most of them seriously either.”

Piper Rockelle.

Piper Rockelle/Instagram

Rockelle acknowledges that her public persona necessitates sacrifices in her personal life, particularly regarding friendships. However, she remains steadfast in her choices.

“This is all I’ve ever wanted, so I’m not gonna let anyone take it away from me,” she affirmed. Reflecting on the challenges of navigating her online life, she concluded, “This isn’t an addiction, but it is something that has literally made me who I am today. So, yeah, I’m not gonna just let go of it.”