The shocking tale of Ruby Franke, once celebrated as a family vlogger, has taken another twist with the upcoming release of the Hulu docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, set to premiere on February 27, 2024. Ruby, alongside her business associate Jodi Hildebrandt, was sentenced earlier this year for aggravated child abuse, leaving many to wonder how the facade of their seemingly idyllic family life crumbled so spectacularly.
The docuseries promises exclusive access to the Franke family, featuring candid interviews with Ruby's husband Kevin and their two oldest children, Shari and Chad. These intimate conversations aim to shed light on the devastating reality behind their social media presence, which at one time boasted millions of followers.
“For years, the Frankes’ YouTube channel had documented a wholesome, happy family life, with 2.5 million subscribers tuning in at its peak,” according to details released by Passion Pictures, the production company behind the series. This image quickly shattered when the truth of Ruby's parenting methods was revealed.
The family furor began on what appeared to be the surface of their lives. Ruby and Kevin Franke launched their channel, 8Passengers, back in 2014, aiming to share their unique brand of family life. But as the children grew, so did the concern among viewers about the strict parenting styles Ruby adopted.
Shari Franke, Ruby's eldest daughter, has recently opened up about the trauma she and her siblings endured, discussing her struggles with growing up under such intense scrutiny and strictness. “I’ve had my voice and agency taken for so long, and now, I’m putting my foot down,” she stated in a recent interview, referring to her decision to stop sharing her life publicly.
Shari's memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, released shortly before the docuseries, details her painful experiences within the family dynamic. She candidly reveals feelings of discomfort with the content they shared on 8 Passengers, along with her fears for her younger siblings. Following her mother's incarceration, she has taken steps toward advocating for child protection laws related to influencers.
Reflecting on the harrowing experiences, Shari expressed how the online exposure has stolen not only her privacy but also those of her siblings, saying, “I am stuck with the trauma of YouTube.” This stark statement echoes the sentiments shared by her sister Abby during the recent legislative hearing, where Abby stated, "Had the bill been law when my mother was vlogging, I would not have been able to withdraw all of my savings I had from doing YouTube." This speaks volumes to the blurred lines many face between personal lives and public personas.
The turning point came when Ruby's youngest son, Russell, escaped their home and alerted authorities, leading to the unearthing of severe neglect and abuse. Witnesses described Russell as malnourished and bearing visible wounds, prompting child services to step in and seize the children from Ruby's custody.
Kevin Franke, who has since filed for divorce from Ruby and requested custody of their children, conveyed his remorse at the legislative committee hearing, acknowledging the grave consequences of vlogging their family life. “If we, as adults, cannot understand the emotional and psychological impacts of sharing our lives to millions of strangers online, how can we expect our children to understand them?” he poignantly asked, addressing concerns about the ramifications of influencer culture on children.
The docuseries is expected to navigate the complex aftermath of the Frankes' fall, showing what really occurred off-camera. It will include never-before-seen footage from their YouTube channel, along with commentary from friends and family who were intricately involved.
The upcoming release is not just about Ruby’s downfall but also focuses on the urgent need for child protection legislation, particularly concerning family-oriented content creators making significant income from showing their children's lives. Indeed, the Utah legislature recently passed legislation to require content creators making over $150,000 to set aside funds for the protection of their children.
“The Frankes’ story exposes the perils of influencer culture and child exploitation,” Shari reflected as she emphasized the importance of her advocacy work. Her call to action asserts the pressing need for systemic change, illustrating firsthand the lasting effects of exposure at such young ages.
This timely docuseries serves as a cautionary tale of what goes on behind the scenes of the influencer lifestyle some parents chase, reminding viewers of the dire consequences when boundaries between private life and public persona become dangerously blurred.
With Ruby and Jodi serving time, the Franke family embarks on their own path to healing, as the world awaits to watch their story iron out through the lens of the forthcoming Hulu docuseries. It highlights not only the family's struggle for redemption and recovery but also reflects broader societal questions concerning parenting, consent, and visibility within the social media sphere.