Subjects Of Netflix ‘Dancing For The Devil’ Doc Tell Their Sides
Netflix recently released Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, which follows an alleged Los Angeles–based cult run by Robert Shinn, a pastor at Shekinah Church and the founder of 7M Films management.
In video recordings from church services included in the docuseries, Shinn can allegedly be seen influencing Shekinah Church members and 7M clients to cut ties with family members who do not belong to the organization. He’s also accused of taking financial advantage of his clients, in some instances allegedly suggesting that they donate up to 70% of their earnings to Shinn and Shekinah. Shinn is also accused of sexual assault by multiple women in the documentary, allegations he has previously denied.
More Background: Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult on Netflix
Vanity Fair reported that dancer and influencer Miranda Derrick (Wilking) has been a member of the church since 2020. She and her husband, James Derrick have been linked since 2021 and are managed by 7M. Before Mirand’s involvement with 7M, she and her sister, Melanie Wilking, were popular social media dance influencers, sharing the handle @WilkingSisters with over 3 million followers on TikTok.
In the docuseries, Derrick’s parents and sister claim that Miranda cut ties with her family after getting involved with Shinn and 7M. An Instagram Live video from February 2022 featured in the film shows Derrick’s family alleging that Miranda has become a victim of a cult, and sharing they had no idea she got engaged to James Derrick in 2021. After the Wilkings posted their video, other families came forward raising allegations against Shinn, 7M, and Shekinah church.
Miranda Derrick Tells Her Side
After the newly released Netflix docuseries Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult insinuated that she was involved in an alleged cult, Miranda took to her Instagram story on Tuesday (June 4) to tell her side.
“Hey guys, I hope you’re having a wonderful day! I just wanted to hop on here really quick and first of all, say thank you so much to everybody who’s been so supportive during this time,” she began in a video shared to her Instagram Stories.
In the two posts that followed, Derrick shared screenshots of her lengthy statement.
“I want to start by saying that I appreciate the concern that has been expressed for my well-being. Due to pending litigation, in which I am a plaintiff in a defamation lawsuit, it’s not appropriate for me to comment on specific allegations. Though I will state that I do not condone abuse in any way,” the influencer wrote.
“I love my Mom, Dad, and Melanie and they will forever be a part of my life. The truth is, we just don’t see eye to eye at this time. I believe that this documentary is a one-sided story,” she said, adding, “I gave my life to Jesus Christ in 2020 and asked my family for some space in the very beginning to collect my thoughts and process my new walk I wanted to take with God.”
7M Films has also made a statement. In a statement emailed to Vanity Fair, 7M Films denies any and all wrongdoing. “The Netflix docuseries is a slanderous work of fiction, born from a failed extortion attempt, and invented for the sole purpose of gaining fame and fortune,” said the statement. The outlet mentioned that the statement had been sent anonymously. It goes on to accuse two former Shekinah Church members of conspiring against Shinn and his associates after an alleged failed extortion attempt.
The full statement has also been posted to 7M Films official Instagram page. The sole other post on the 7M Films Instagram page is a statement from 2022 pledging allegiance to Shinn while simultaneously separating 7M Films from Shekinah Church.
