Miranda Derrick Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Miranda Derrick has broken her silence after her life was the focus of Netflix’s docuseries Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.
The three-part series, released on May 29, explores Miranda’s family’s claims that the 7M dancer is allegedly stuck in a cult run by Robert Shinn, the pastor at Shekinah Church in Los Angeles and the founder of 7M Films, which manages Miranda’s dance career.
Miranda, 27, released a statement via Instagram on Tuesday, June 4, that detailed her take on the docuseries, including the fact she is “not a victim,” “not in any harm,” and “not being abused.”
“I want to start by saying that I appreciate the concern that has been expressed for my well-being. Due to pending litigation, in which I am a plaintiff in a defamation lawsuit, it’s not appropriate for me to comment on specific allegations. Though I will state that I do not condone abuse in any way,” Miranda, who has, in the past, denied she is in a cult, wrote via an Instagram Story.
Miranda Wilking’s life with husband James Derrick looks picture-perfect based on her social media presence, but her family members claim there’s more to the story. Miranda’s parents and sister, Melanie Wilking, took to Instagram Live in February 2022 to claim that Miranda had been indoctrinated into a cult that targets dancers. The concerned family said […]
In the show, Shinn is accused of sexual assault by multiple women.
Miranda explained that while the series has captured her parents’ and sister Melanie Ekeler’s views on 7M, Miranda believes that what has been aired “is a one-sided story.”
“I love my Mom, Dad and Melanie and they will forever be a part of my life. The truth is, we just don’t see eye to eye at this time. I believe that this documentary is a one-sided story,” Miranda wrote. “I gave my life to Jesus Christ in 20202 and asked my family for some space in the very beginning to collect my thoughts and process my new walk I wanted to take with God.”
Miranda continued, “My family didn’t honor the space I asked for and I saw a different side of them I’ve never seen before. Honestly, it made me mad, frustrated and annoyed that they were being so overbearing and chaotic.”
The dance star, who is married to fellow 7M dancer, James Derrick, and was first linked to him in April 2021 after she allegedly cut ties with her family, also detailed a fallout between her and Ekeler.
“I also told my sister that I wanted to continue our wilkingsisters social media page. She logged me out of our account and when I asked for access back she denied my request,” Miranda wrote. “So I had no other choice but to start my own account and pursue my own career.”
James Derrick and Miranda Derrick Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
During an Instagram Live in February 2022, her family claimed that they were not aware of Miranda’s September 2021 wedding to James.
Miranda’s new statement revealed that she and her family, including her sister, are now working together to move forward.
“I have been getting together with them over the past couple years to make amends, move on and work things out as a family. This documentary has created a further challenge between us as I work to overcome this public attack,” Miranda wrote.
Miranda also expressed her disapproval over the way she was represented within the docuseries.
“No one likes to be portrayed as their [sic] brainwashed/not in control of her own life/shell of herself/human trafficked daughter/sister when that just isn’t the truth,” she wrote. “I would have preferred that my family’s circumstances remain private. I’m forced and feel like I have no other choice but to defend myself because of all of this. I can’t convince anything to believe anything. I am just a woman trying to live my life. I am not a victim, I am not in any harm, I am not being abused.”
The show follows several dancers and their families as they search for answers about Shinn.
In recordings from his church services, Shinn is heard influencing members to cut ties with their family members who do not belong to the organization.
He is also accused of taking financial advantage of the social media stars, mandating in some cases that they donate up to 70 percent of their earnings to Shinn and Shekinah.
