7M Films and Shekinah Church are accused of targeting TikTok dancers.
Her family raised concerns, claiming she had been held against her will by the organization.
Miranda Derrick joined 7M Films in January 2021.
Netflix is releasing a docuseries called Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult to expose the inner workings of 7M Films and Shekinah Church.
The management firm has ties to Shekinah Church run by pastor Robert Shinn.
In recent news, there have been allegations surrounding a management company called 7M Films and its connection to a controversial church, Shekinah. The claims suggest that the organization is operating as a cult-like entity that targets TikTok dancers.
Miranda Derrick, formerly known as Miranda Wilking, joined forces with 7M Films three years ago in her quest to become a successful TikTok dance sensation. However, her family raised concerns when they claimed she had been held against her will by the organization.
According to reports from various sources,
In January 2021, Miranda joined 7M Films with the hope of becoming a famous dancer.
Her family later discovered that the management firm had ties to Shekinah Church, which is run by controversial pastor Robert Shinn.
Netflix is releasing a docuseries called Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult to expose the inner workings of 7M Films and Shekinah Church.
However, it's important to note that Miranda has denied being in a cult and neither she nor her family participated in the Netflix docuseries.
Additionally, there are other individuals who have been involved with both 7M Films and Shekinah Church. For instance,
Melanie Wilking, Miranda's sister, claimed that she had lost contact with her after she left the church.
Priscylla Lee joined Shekinah as a young immigrant in 1999 and became dependent on it for housing and work. She later lost contact with her sister Melanie when Melanie left the church.
It's crucial to approach this story with a neutral perspective, acknowledging that there are multiple sides to every story. The allegations against 7M Films and Shekinah Church are serious, but it's essential to consider all available information before coming to any conclusions.
Miranda Wilking's parents and sister claimed she had been indoctrinated into a cult called 7M Films in February 2022.
Miranda and her husband James Derrick have denied being in a cult despite allegations from her family.
Accuracy
Miranda Wilking joined forces with 7M Films three years ago to become a TikTok dance sensation
Miranda Derrick's family claimed she was being held against her will by a cult-like church masquerading as a management company in January 2021
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about Miranda Wilking and James Derrick's relationship without providing any context or mentioning contradictory evidence. The author also uses emotional manipulation by implying that Miranda has been indoctrinated into a cult without presenting any concrete evidence to support this claim.
The concerned family said they haven’t spoken to Miranda in over a year and alleged that the entertainment management firm 7M Films, which Miranda joined in 2021, was operating like a cult.
Miranda and Derrick have denied that they are in a cult.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by mentioning the upcoming Netflix docuseries 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult' and quoting Melanie and her parents' claims about 7M Films being a cult. However, no formal evidence or proof is provided in the article to support these claims.
][The series] premieres on Wednesday, May 29, and features Melanie and her parents as well as former Shekinah Church member Lydia Chung, who claims the church cut her off from her family and brainwashed her. Shinn has denied any wrongdoing.[/
Despite her family’s claims, Miranda is a successful businesswoman and a loving wife and daughter who cares very much about her family.[
A 40-minute-long public plea made on Instagram Live by Melanie Wilking and her parents claimed they had lost contact with her sister Miranda Derrick to a religious organization.
Robert Shinn, an LA pastor, founded both 7M and Shekinah Church. The docuseries ‘Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult’ asserts that the two entities are one and the same.
Priscylla Lee joined Shekinah as a young immigrant in 1999 and became dependent on it for housing and work. She lost contact with her sister Melanie when Melanie left the church.
The Shinn family and the Derricks did not participate in the docuseries, but Miranda has stated on social media that she is ‘not in a cult’.
Accuracy
Miranda Derrick was regularly posting feel-good videos on social media platforms TikTok and Instagram before reports of the mysterious religious organization she joined came to light.
Robert Shinn asked members to 'die to' their families or cut them off in order to save their loved ones in the afterlife.
Miranda Derrick is back in contact with her family but allegedly still close to Shinn according to the docuseries.
Miranda Wilking's parents and sister claimed she had been indoctrinated into a cult called 7M Films.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about the alleged cult. The author does not provide any peer-reviewed studies or disclose sources for some of the claims made in the article. Additionally, there are emotional manipulation tactics used through stories of families being torn apart and allegations of human trafficking.
According to the series, which also features former members of the church, Shinn first began Shekinah as a religious community for Korean Americans, then founded 7M as an off-shoot business for Internet-famous dancers.
The following year, Davis, Fisher and Douglas, among others, joined a cross-complaint with the former church members against Shinn, his wife, their entities and other affiliated individuals. The claims accuse them of fraud, forced labor and human trafficking.
The Los Angeles-based dancer was still living in the public eye, including announcing a marriage to fellow dancer James Derrick (known as BDash).
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(80%)
The author uses the term 'cult' multiple times in the article to describe 7M Films and Shekinah Church. While it is not inherently biased to use this term, it can be seen as sensationalist and potentially pejorative. The author also quotes former members of the organization who make allegations of abuse, forced labor, human trafficking, and sexual battery against Robert Shinn and his wife. These are serious claims that could have significant implications if proven true. However, it is important to note that these allegations have not been proven in a court of law and both parties are currently involved in a lawsuit. The author also mentions the ongoing lawsuit between the former members and Shinn, but does not provide any context or information about the outcome of this lawsuit or any potential counterclaims made by Shinn. This could give readers an incomplete understanding of the situation.
According to the series, which also features former members of the church, Shinn first began Shekinah as a religious community for Korean Americans, then founded 7M as an off-shoot business for Internet-famous dancers, promising them fame and wealth in addition to religious salvation.
For members who do leave Shinn’s organizations, the documentary makers learned it’s not an easy path, as they follow Priscylla’s struggle to adapt to a new life outside of the church and her pursuit of justice.
The Derricks have also previously refuted claims that she is being kept from her family, framing the situation instead as a personal family dispute. In 2022, a lawyer for 7M Films told Rolling Stone: ‘It is pathetic and contemptible to try to turn her (Miranda’s) private family matters into a tawdry public scandal for clicks and clout.’
The following year, Davis, Fisher and Douglas, among others, joined a cross-complaint with the former church members against Shinn, his wife, their entities and other affiliated individuals. The claims accuse them of fraud, forced labor and human trafficking.
The new three-part docuseries ‘Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult,’ asserts the two entities are one and the same, with Shinn and his wife, Hannah, enriching themselves from their church members and talent while isolating them from their previous lives.
