The new Netflix docuseries "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult" investigates allegations that a management company with multiple dancers on its roster was a cult.
The series focuses on 7M, a talent management company founded by Robert Shinn, a pastor for Shekinah Church. 7M signed dancers in Los Angeles, but in the series, some former members allege cult-like practices. Friends and family members of those belonging to 7M at the time told Business Insider that they had observed dramatic changes in their loved ones since they joined.
TikTok and social media star Miranda Derrick (née Wilking) is at the center of the story. She and her younger sister, Melanie Wilking, are both dancers who previously branded themselves together as The Wilking Sisters. However, Miranda became involved with 7M via her boyfriend, James Derrick —and her family says in the series, distanced herself from her.
Here's where Miranda Derrick is today.
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Miranda moved to Los Angeles and became involved with 7M
Melanie and Miranda grew up dancing around Detroit. Their parents, Dean and Kelly, recount in the docuseries that the family was supportive of the sisters' passion. After she graduated from high school, Melanie says, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a professional dancer. Eventually, Melanie joined her there, and they built the Wilking Sisters brand to the tune of millions of followers.
In April 2019, Melanie says in the documentary, James "BDash" Derrick reached out to collaborate with them. Miranda and James became close, and eventually, she began socializing with his group of friends — including videographer Isaiah Shinn, Robert Shinn's son. Eventually, former 7M member Aubrey Fisher says, Robert decided to form his own management company to manage the dancers.
Melanie says that in the fall of 2020, she was invited to have dinner at Robert's home.
"At that time, Miranda was in. Like, she was committed," Melanie says. "She did tell me that they read the Bible at dinner and they kind of go around and share different experiences and whatnot."
Melanie distanced herself from the church and company. But as Melanie and her parents say in the series, Miranda grew more distant from her family as she became more involved in the church. When her grandfather died in early 2021, Miranda didn't attend his funeral. When Miranda and James got engaged later that year, her family found out through social media.
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In February 2022, Miranda's sister Melanie and their parents, Kelly and Dean, took to Instagram to plead for Miranda's reconnection.
Where is Miranda now?
In May 2022, after her family's Instagram Live, Miranda issued a statement to The Cut.
"I am not held against my will and I've never been a hostage," Miranda said in a statement. "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."
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A lawyer for 7M also issued a statement to Rolling Stone following the publication's investigation into the company.
"Miranda Derrick is a successful businesswoman and a loving wife and daughter who cares very much about her family. It is pathetic and contemptible to try to turn her private family matters into a tawdry public scandal for clicks and clout," the statement read.
Kelly, Miranda's mother, says in the series that Miranda reached out to her to meet. They came back into contact, but Miranda stipulated that she didn't want to speak with her parents about 7M or Robert Shinn.
"We made the promise not to talk about it, and we haven't talked about it with her since," Kelly says in the series. But, I don't know. Right now? So far, what we've done, we've got her back in our life."
On social media, Miranda still regularly posts dance videos, many with her husband James, as well as other lifestyle content. She posts with her family as well: Miranda wished her mother, Kelly, a happy Mother's Day on Instagram in May, posted a dance video with Kelly and Melanie in April, and attended Melanie's wedding.
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However, Melanie says in the series that her relationship with her sister isn't the same as it once was, calling their interactions "superficial."
"I want to have a genuine, you know… like we're moving forward genuinely, and not just for social media," Melanie says.
Miranda has 1.5 million followers on Instagram, 2 million followers on TikTok, and 106,000 subscribers on YouTube. Many of her dance videos credit Isaiah Shinn, Robert's son, as a videographer, and her YouTube channel still lists a 7M address as her contact.
According to Miranda's social media, she and James are still together and have a dog. The two also recently appeared in "Road House," a movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a former UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer.
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Representatives for Miranda did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
