Melanie Wilking, a well-known influencer, and her parents, Dean and Kelly Wilking, began filming the footage seen in the docuseries Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult before Netflix even gave the project the green light. The three-episode series showcases the family’s journey as they navigate becoming estranged from their daughter and sister, Miranda Derrick (née Wilking), after she joins an entertainment firm with alleged cult-like practices, founded by Robert Shinn, who is also the founder of Shekinah Church.
In an attempt to find Miranda, the Wilkings are seen in one scene driving around Los Angeles, where 7M dancers often filmed their TikTok videos. Interestingly, much of this footage was shot by the family themselves even before the Netflix project was conceived. The family started recording as a way to document their efforts to reach out to Miranda and to have proof of their attempts to reconnect with her.
“A lot of that footage was already shot by them. That was their personal footage that they shared with us,” Dancing for the Devil producer Jessica Acevedo revealed. “They started recording because they were actively reaching out to Miranda, but weren’t able to get through to her. They wanted to document their efforts and have proof that they were trying everything they could, including driving around town and looking for locations where 7M dancers filmed their videos.”
In February 2022, Melanie, Kelly, and Dean took to Instagram Live to publicly share their concerns about Miranda’s involvement with 7M, claiming that they hadn’t spoken to her in over a year, which was unusual for their close-knit family. They also accused 7M of operating like a cult and expressed their worry that Miranda was being held against her will.
During the Instagram Live, Melanie claimed, “We’re not allowed to contact her, and it’s really sad because we’re blocked on absolutely everything. It’s been hard to deal with, and we don’t know why.” In response to these claims, Miranda denied being involved in a cult and Shinn’s representative called the video a “pathetic and contemptible” attempt to create a public scandal.
However, Acevedo was intrigued by the family’s story and ended up speaking with them for three hours, which kickstarted a deeper investigation into the allegations. Dancing for the Devil, which premiered on Netflix on May 29, presents the Wilkings’ perspective on their strained relationship with Miranda and their concerns about Shinn, 7M, and Shekinah Church.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images Austin Ekeler and Melanie Wilking are a power couple that has captured the hearts of many. The NFL star and the dancer met in 2021 and have been dancing their way through life ever since. Their fun-loving social media presence and unique love story have made them fan favorites. But what truly sets this duo apart is their unwavering support for each other’s dreams and aspirations. Join us as we take a closer look at their relationship timeline and celebrate their love.
Given the family’s cautious approach to discussing 7M with Miranda, some viewers were surprised by their decision to participate in a docuseries that criticized Shinn and his organizations. However, director Derek Doneen explained that the family’s involvement was driven by their desperation to reconnect with Miranda, as they had tried every other avenue without success.
“My hope is that Miranda will watch this and understand that it was all done out of love,” Doneen expressed. “The experience that we had with her family was absolutely driven by their love and desperation. Of course, they were fearful of how she would react, and that fear is still ongoing.”
Miranda, who is married to fellow 7M member James “BDash” Derrick, has since responded to the series, calling it “one-sided” and asserting that she is “not a victim” and is not in any danger. She also stated that she and her family “just don’t see eye to eye” but that they will “forever be a part” of her life. Miranda attributed the distance between them to her newfound faith, explaining that she “gave [her] life to Jesus Christ in 2020” and asked for some space to process her new spiritual journey.
Miranda Wilking and James Derrick’s social media presence paints a picture of a happy and loving couple. However, Miranda’s family members, including her parents and sister, Melanie Wilking, have a different story to tell. In February 2022, they took to Instagram Live to share their concerns about Miranda’s involvement with a group that they believe is a cult targeting dancers. They claim that Miranda has been indoctrinated and is being held against her will. Join us as we take a closer look at Miranda and James’ relationship and the concerns raised by her family.
Melanie responded to Miranda’s comments in an interview with Access Hollywood, encouraging her sister to watch the documentary and understand that it goes beyond just their family’s concerns. “Educate yourself and know that we absolutely love you with all of our heart,” Melanie said.
The docuseries also features interviews with several former members of Shekinah Church and 7M, who make allegations of abuse, brainwashing, and sexual assault against Shinn. Shinn has denied these allegations, and a statement at the end of the final episode notes that no criminal charges have been brought against him. A civil lawsuit is currently ongoing, with Shinn and his codefendants denying the claims made against them. The case is set to go to trial in 2025.
Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering a glimpse into the complex and troubling world of cult-like organizations and the impact they can have on individuals and families.
