The story of Miranda Derrick, formerly known as Miranda Wilking, and her family’s allegations against 7M Films and Shekinah Church has captured widespread attention, culminating in the Netflix docuseries “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.” The series explores claims that this organisation controlled and isolated Derrick and other dancers, which blends religious practices with talent management.

Background

Miranda Derrick and her sister Melanie Wilking gained fame as the Wilking Sisters, performing together on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. However, in early 2022, Melanie and her parents made a public plea on Instagram Live, claiming they had lost contact with Miranda. They alleged that Miranda had been influenced by a “religious organization” and was no longer in control of her own life. This organization is linked to 7M Films, a talent management company founded by Robert Shinn, who also leads the Shekinah Church.

Key Players

– Miranda Derrick (Wilking): Continues to post dance content with her husband, James Derrick (BDash), and maintains that she is not in a cult.

– James Derrick (BDash): Miranda’s husband and fellow dancer, involved with 7M Films.

– Melanie Wilking: Miranda’s sister publicly voiced concerns about Miranda’s involvement with 7M Films and Shekinah Church.

– Robert Shinn: Founder of Shekinah Church and 7M Films, accused of exerting control over his members for financial gain.

– Former Members: Kevin “Konkrete” Davis, Aubrey Fisher, and Kylie Douglas, who have filed a lawsuit against Shinn and his entities.

Allegations

The docuseries features testimonies from former members who describe manipulative practices by 7M Films and Shekinah Church. These practices allegedly include encouraging members to sever ties with their families and financially exploiting them. The series asserts that Shinn and his wife enriched themselves at the expense of church members and talent managed by 7M Films. First-hand accounts and recordings of Shinn’s sermons reveal how he asked members to “die to” their families, meaning they should cut off contact to ensure their loved ones’ salvation in the afterlife.

Current Situation

– Lawsuits: Several former members, including the Lee sisters and dancers previously represented by 7M Films, are engaged in litigation against Shinn, accusing him of fraud, forced labour, human trafficking, and sexual battery. The case is scheduled for trial in July 2025 in Los Angeles.

– Public Statements: The Shinn family and the Derricks have denied these allegations, framing the situation as a personal family dispute. Miranda Derrick has stated on social media that she is not in a cult, while BDash described 7M Films as a secular company run by people of faith.

Cultural Impact

This case underscores broader trends in the music and social media industries, where digital platforms offer both opportunities and risks. It highlights the influence of talent management companies and the precarious line between professional guidance and exploitation. The situation also reflects the increasing complexity of digital fame and the potential for manipulation within these spaces.

 Twin Stories, Broken Families

“Dancing for the Devil” largely follows the parallel stories of two pairs of sisters who were allegedly separated by Shinn’s organizations: Wilking and Derrick, and Melanie and Priscilla Lee. The latter two joined Shekinah as young immigrants in 1999 and became dependent on it for housing and work (Priscilla has since changed her last name to Leigh). They lost contact for years when Melanie left the church — with the help of a friend — and Priscilla stayed.

“For (Melanie Lee) to come forward — I’m just so appreciative of her strength and trust in us,” said the documentary’s executive producer Jessica Acevedo, explaining that she was initially wary. “She expressed that she has her sister still in there, and (she) feared for her.” Throughout production, Priscilla left Shekinah, too, and shared her story.

Priscylla and Melanie Lee joined Shekinah Church when they were young — Priscylla spent 23 years on and off in the church, and Melanie lost contact with her when she left.

The Lee sisters are now in litigation with Shinn and are still coming to terms with how their lives were impacted by the church.

The Shinn family and the Derricks did not participate in the docuseries, though Miranda has stated on social media that she is “not in a cult.” BDash described 7M as a “secular for-profit company run by people who have faith in God,” in his statement. “It is their job to manage/control our bookings or schedules… That is not a cult activity, it’s called doing business.”

“Is it wrong for Christians to be involved in a non-faith-based entertainment business?” he continued. “If 7M was run by (an) unbeliever, then is it no longer a cult?”

The Derricks and a lawyer for Robert and Hannah Shinn did not return CNN’s request for comment.

 Legal Battles and Public Perception

Miranda and James “BDash” Derrick at the Grammy Awards last year. They have maintained through social media posts that Miranda’s issues with her family are a personal dispute.

The Derricks have also previously refuted claims that she is being kept from her family, framing the situation instead as a personal family dispute. In 2022, a lawyer for 7M Films told Rolling Stone: “It is pathetic and contemptible to try to turn her (Miranda’s) private family matters into a tawdry public scandal for clicks and clout.”

In 2022, Shinn filed a lawsuit claiming defamation and trade libel against several former church members, including the Lee sisters, that alleges the defendants made “false statements” referring to Shinn’s organizations as a cult and launched a campaign to “cancel” Shinn “through flagrant, defamatory attacks on social and other media.” The following year, Davis, Fisher, and Douglas, among others, joined a cross-complaint with the former church members against Shinn, his wife, their entities, and other affiliated individuals. The claims accuse them of fraud, forced labour, and human trafficking, as well as Robert of sexual battery. The case is scheduled to go to trial in July 2025 in Los Angeles; to date, no criminal charges have been filed.

Today, Derrick is back in contact with her family, occasionally documenting their holidays together on her social media accounts — though the docuseries alleges this is mostly for optics, and that she is still close to Shinn. Derrick did not return CNN’s request for comment about this allegation.

For members who do leave Shinn’s organizations, the documentary makers learned it’s not an easy path, as they follow Priscylla’s struggle to adapt to a new life outside of the church and her pursuit of justice.

“You don’t come out healed; you don’t come out necessarily disavowing many of the teachings,” Doneen said. “That was a bit of a learning curve for me to understand. Once you’re out, it is day one of a very long journey — a very long road to recovery.”

“Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult” is available on Netflix on May 29.

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