Get to know Piper Rockelle!
You may recognize the bursting-with-bubbliness 10-year-old Musical.ly phenom — who’s racked up nearly four million fans on the video sharing app — as bold and confident Sky on Brat’s “Mani,” but did you know she’s on the brink of a major music project that’s going to wow fans or that she owns 17 pet cats?!
Keep scrolling to get the 4-1-1 on all things Piper: from her best social media tips and tricks to behind-the-scenes “Mani” set secrets and everything in between! And catch her taking over our Instagram Story (@TigerBeatNow) for the rest of the day for fan Q&As, silly selfies, vlog-style videos and more!
How did you get started on Musical.ly? Do you remember your first-ever video?
Piper: We were just playing on it…I was just making some videos, and then my mom started to help me and then in a week, I got a feature. Two weeks, I got a crown and it kinda hit off! The ‘Make My Toy Real’ challenge was my first. It was the best video ever!
Where do you get your creative ideas from? Do you have a favorite Musical.ly?
Piper: Well my mom is amazing at creative stuff, so it’s kind of me and her working together like, “Oh, we should do this.” My favorite is probably the Wizard of Oz one. I did pageants and I had all these outfits that looked like The Wizard of Oz and I also had these little characters.
Do you have any tips or tricks for Musical.ly beginners?
Piper: When I first started, there were a lot of haters and it made me feel bad, but I kinda got over that because they’re just haters and I have a lot of other fans that are very loyal. Also, have good lighting, definitely be creative and have fun. And be different, be yourself!
You have the so many loyal fans! What’s that like?
Piper: I love it so much, but, when I’m with them, I don’t call them fans. I call them friends because they’ve been with me through all of it! I still don’t see myself as a social media star, I still see myself as this 10 year old girl. But, when they come up to me and they’re like, “Are you Piper Rockelle?” it just makes me so happy.
Have you always wanted to be an actress?
Piper: I’ve always wanted to be an actor. When I was a little kid, I’d always pretend that I’m in a show, and I love being an actor because it gets you out of your comfort zone! You can be different people and then come back to the same person.
What’s your favorite thing about being on “Mani”?
Piper: I love being on ‘Mani’ because it’s for all ages. It’s for older people and younger people. I just love it so much. It’s amazing. It’s so funny. I just love that set. It has such good vibes! When I’m having a bad day, I laugh so much.
How would you describe your character, Sky?
Piper: She’s very bold, and she says what she wants. She’s like, “Oh, I don’t like your shoes.” She doesn’t hide it, basically.
What’s it like working with the rest of the cast?
Piper: Very fun! You have your friends there. Sometimes they can bring me out of my zone, I have too much fun and I’m trying to act. I love my friends: Hayley [LeBlanc] and Txunamy and Coco [Quinn]! All the people there are really sweet, so, I’m glad I have those friends.
Is there anything fans would be surprised to know about the show?
Piper: When I had the kissing scene, every time we would get done with that, I would have to run and just scream. I would be like, “Can you just say cut?” It was so funny because I was just like, “Say cut!” It was super, super awkward but we didn’t’ actually kiss.
If you could tell your fans one thing, what would it be?
Piper: Be strong, ’cause there’s a lot of people that might not like you, but there’s a lot of people that will like you. There’s always someone out there that will be your best friend, and be happy with whatever comes and whatever goes!
In case you missed it, Piper recently brought fans along for a fun-filled screening party for Nickelodeon’s latest and greatest comedy, “Knight Squad”!
