
11 former associates of Smith, collectively known as “the Squad”, filed a lawsuit against him in January 2022 seeking $22 million. They alleged that he had breached California’s child labor laws, failed to pay them, and most significantly, engaged in sexual misconduct. An investigation by The Times published later in the year presented a wealth of evidence including court records, emails, casting calls, talent releases, filming schedules, interviews with plaintiffs and parents, which revealed a pattern of dominating and abusive behavior by Smith. Following the filing of the lawsuit, Rockelle publicly defended her mother.