“I am just a woman trying to live my life. I am not a victim,” the TikTok star said
Miranda Derrick is sharing her perspective after the release of Netflix’s docuseries, Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, where she is portrayed as being involved in an alleged cult.
On Tuesday, June 4, Miranda addressed the claims made against Robert Shinn’s 7M organization, the subject of the series, which were put forth by her family and others.
“Hey everyone, I hope you’re having a great day! I just wanted to pop on here quickly to thank everyone who has been so supportive during this time,” she began in a video posted to her Instagram Stories.
Though she avoided diving into “too much detail” for legal reasons, Miranda felt it was important to share her side after the series premiered on May 29.
In subsequent posts, she uploaded screenshots of a detailed statement.
“First off, I want to say that I am thankful for the concern for my well-being. Due to ongoing legal matters, I can’t comment on specific allegations. However, I want to make it clear that I do not condone any form of abuse,” Miranda wrote.
“I love my Mom, Dad, and Melanie, and they will always be a part of my life. Unfortunately, we’re not seeing eye to eye at the moment. I feel that this documentary presents a one-sided story,” she continued, adding that she turned her life over to Jesus in 2020 and asked her family for some space to reflect on her new path.
The documentary introduces Robert Shinn as the leader of Shekinah Church and 7M Films, both of which Miranda is associated with. These organizations have provided various resources for TikTok stars, from hair styling to elaborate filming settings.
After Miranda’s sister Melanie Wilking and their parents publicly claimed in a 2022 Instagram Live video that Miranda was part of a cult, other families, former 7M Films dancers, and ex-church members also raised allegations against Shinn and his affiliations. Shinn, 7M Films, and Shekinah Church have denied these allegations.
Miranda and Melanie originally gained an online following as The Wilking Sisters before Miranda joined 7M and Shekinah.
In her recent statement, Miranda clarified that her own social media account began only after Melanie locked her out of their joint account, refusing to grant her access again.
Miranda also addressed the claim that 7M prevented her from attending her grandfather’s funeral as mentioned in the documentary.
She explains that during Christmas 2020, the family learned her grandfather’s health was failing, and she and Melanie visited him.
“Before we went into the hospital to say our last goodbyes, I prayed for our grandfather in the car. Melanie got upset, told me to stop praying, and said she didn’t want me to pray around her again,” Miranda recounted.
When the funeral came around, Miranda chose not to attend, stating, “I felt harassed and threatened by my family.”
“I am just a woman living her life. I am not a victim, nor am I in any danger or being abused. I’ve never asked my family or anyone else for ‘help.’ Respectfully, my life choices are mine to make,” she concluded.
