TikTok creator Miranda Derrick is refuting allegations from her family that she is involved in a cult following the release of Netflix’s “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.”
The documentary, which premiered last week, focuses on TikTok talent management firm 7M Films and the Shekinah Church, with former 7M clients alleging cult-like behavior and abuse by founder Robert Shinn. Shinn has denied these allegations in court and in a previous statement to the Daily Beast in 2022.
Derrick, who signed with 7M Films, criticized the documentary for being one-sided.
In early 2022, Derrick’s family posted a video claiming she was “brainwashed” by the company, prompting her and her sister, Melanie Wilking, to part ways professionally after gaining millions of followers as the Wilking Sisters on TikTok and Instagram.
In an Instagram story, Derrick explained that her decision to embrace religion and attend church led to conflicts with her non-religious family, who accused her of being in a cult.
Derrick shared instances of discord, including her sister logging her out of their shared social media account and denying her access. She also recounted tensions during family events, such as her sister’s reaction to her praying in the car en route to their grandfather’s funeral.
While Derrick has attempted to reconcile with her family over the years, she expressed frustration at the portrayal of her in the documentary and the public scrutiny it has brought.
Meanwhile, Wilking expressed doubts about whether Derrick had actually watched the documentary, emphasizing its broader scope beyond their family dynamics.
Shinn, on the other hand, has filed a defamation lawsuit against former 7M members who accused him of running a cult. In response, these former members have alleged that Shinn exerted control over various aspects of their lives.
As the controversy unfolds, 7M continues to represent top social media influencers, with its client base growing significantly since its establishment in 2021.
