Netflix’s Dancing for the Devil explores the story of the 7M TikTok dance cult, of which Melanie Wilking’s sister, Miranda Wilking, is a part. The three-part docuseries looks into allegations around the 7M talent management company that works with TikTok dancers and the Shekinah Church. It also follows the Wilking Sisters and their journey with 7M as it helped them garner millions of followers and sponsorships on their TikTok channel.
According to TODAY, Melanie Wilking talked about her sister Miranda Wilking, now Miranda Derrick, and her involvement in the supposed cult. 7M’s founder, Robert Shinn, who is also a pastor, faces accusations that he runs a religious cult. People have also associated the Los Angeles-based talent agency with the Shekinah Church. Melanie and her parents first spoke about Miranda’s alleged involvement in the 7M TikTok dance cult in a 2022 Instagram video. They claimed the alleged cult isolated her from their family and strained their bond.
Where are Melanie and Miranda Wilking now after Dancing for the Devil’s Netflix premiere?
TODAY reported that Miranda Wilking had moved to Los Angeles after high school, and her younger sister, Melanie Wilking, soon joined her. The two had gained millions of followers on TikTok through their Wilking Sisters channel. While living together in LA, Miranda stopped appearing in Melanie’s videos sometime in early 2021. In a video, Melanie revealed that Miranda was taking a “break from the Wilking Sisters brand.” She claimed her elder sister was pursuing different “opportunities.”
In the meantime, Miranda Wilking met James (BDash) Derrick in April 2019. Miranda eventually became involved in Robert Shinn’s 7M TikTok talent management company. Shinn is a pastor and also the founder of the religious group Shekinah Church. Melanie Wilking claimed that after joining the 7M agency, Miranda became distant from her and their family. Several former members of the church and 7M have called it “a cult operating under the disguise of a religious institution.”
According to The Independent, Melanie Wilking and her parents released a 2022 Instagram live expressing their concerns about Miranda. In the video, they accused 7M of being a TikTok dance cult because of its association with the Shekinah Church. The family also hoped to get in touch with Miranda. 7M has denied having a connection with the church, reported Screen Rant. Cosmopolitan reported that the agency’s former members and dancers have also accused Robert Shinn of financial and sexual coercion. He has denied all allegations.
Miranda Wilking, who now goes by Miranda Derrick, married James (BDash) Derrick in 2021, per Cosmopolitan. She also continues to be a part of the 7M management agency and is on a path without her sister, Melanie Wilking. Screen Rant reported that she reconnected with her family. However, there was a condition that they wouldn’t discuss Robert Shinn’s 7M agency or the Shekinah Church with her.
The Independent stated that Miranda has not commented on the Netflix documentary. But, in a previous statement, she maintained that she is “not held against my will.” The TikTok dancer claimed she has “never been a hostage. I go to church and I have faith in God. If one day I wish to pursue my faith elsewhere, I will and feel completely free to do that.”
In the statement, she added, “As far as my career, my time at 7M Films has been one of the most exciting years ever and if one day I wish to partner with a different management company or start my own company, I will. No one is forcing me to do anything.”
Meanwhile, TODAY reported that Melanie Wilking married NFL star Austin Ekeler, and Miranda was present for the ceremony earlier this year. Ekeler is a runner back for the Washington Commanders. Melanie also continues to pursue her journey as a professional and TikTok dancer.
Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult is now streaming on Netflix.
