Current:Home > MyWho are the Wilking sisters? Miranda, Melanie in 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult' -Visionary Growth Labs
Who are the Wilking sisters? Miranda, Melanie in 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult'
View
Date:2025-04-18 23:07:17
The relationship between two sisters is featured in a new Netflix docuseries that focuses on a group of dancers and their church-affiliated talent management company, which some people have alleged is a cult.
"Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult" premiered on Netflix this week. The documentary series, directed by Derek Doneen, tells the story of Miranda Wilking and other dancers who ended up associated with the Los Angeles-based 7M Films management company under owner Robert Shinn.
Shinn is also a pastor at Shekinah Church, and has previously been accused of controlling behavior.
Here's what to know about the Wilking family and the documentary series.
Looking for something to watch?From 'Atlas' to 'Dune 2,' here are 10 movies you need to stream right now
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
How to stream 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult'
The three-part documentary series began streaming on Netflix Wednesday May 29 at 3 a.m. EDT.
What is 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult' about?
Here's what the three-part documentary series is about, according to a synopsis from Netflix:
"A group of prominent TikTok dancers are trapped in a cult masquerading as a management company called 7M. Among them is Miranda Wilking, whose family is desperately trying to get their daughter out. As other dancers and former members escape and work to rebuild their lives, it isn’t until they come together to try and put a stop to the cycle of their abuser that the real healing begins."
"Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult" also includes testimonies from dancers and others who have left 7M Films.
This series is about exposing the wrongdoers and setting the story straight, all with the hope of helping those still under the control of the church,” executive producer Jessica Acevedo told Netflix's Tudum.
Who are Miranda and Melanie Wilking?
Part of the documentary series focused on the sisters Miranda and Melanie Wilking, and their parents, Kelly and Dean.
Melanie Wilking is creator with over 3.5 million followers on TikTok whose content primarily focuses around dancing and lifestyle videos. She married Austin Ekeler, a running back for the Washington Commanders in May in Las Vegas.
Melanie, Kelly and Dean Wilking posted a video on social media in February 2022 saying that they had not seen or heard from Miranda in over a year and she was involved in a religious group, in what they called a "cult." In the video, Melanie Wilking said she had been part of the group and church at first, but had left the organization.
"These people are not controlling their lives," Melanie Wilking said in the video. Someone else is controlling their lives and they are all victims of this. It would be so easy to forget...if she doesn't care about us anymore, but we know that's not her."
Who is Robert Shinn?
Shinn, the leader of the management company 7M Films and a pastor at Shekinah Church is at the center of allegations in the "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult" documentary series.
The church was founded in 1994, a post from 7M Films reads.
In March, Aubrey Fisher-Greene, Kylie Douglas, Kevin “Konkrete” Davis joined four other complainants, suing Shinn and accusing him of running a "cult" and taking advantage of his followers, Rolling Stone reported. The recent additions are part of an ongoing lawsuit that began in 2022 with Shinn filed a complaint alleging a former member had extorted and defamed him.
In a cross-complaint, Shinn was alleged to have exercised control over the lives of his church members in various ways, from financial to health-related and more, Rolling Stone reported.
What is 7M Films?
Shinn reportedly founded 7M Films in 2021.
According to the company's website, "7M Films, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based talent management company representing some of the top social media influencers in the world. Since 7M was founded in 2021, the collective social media following of our clients has grown from 1.78 million to 10.42 million. 7M’s client roster includes professional dancers, actors, models and music industry professionals."
A statement and the only post on 7M's Instagram reads that you "do not have to be a member of Shekinah Church to be represented by 7M, not do you have to be represented by 7M to be a member of Shekinah Church. Any claims to the contrary are simply wrong."
veryGood! (12244)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Putin in Cabinet shakeup moves to replace defense minister as he starts his 5th term in office
- In Appreciation of All the Mama’s Boys
- Lithuanians vote in a presidential election as anxieties rise over Russia and the war in Ukraine
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Rat parts in sliced bread spark wide product recall in Japan
- Recently retired tennis player Camila Giorgi on the run from Italian tax authorities, per report
- Prince Harry and Meghan visit Nigeria, where the duchess hints at her heritage with students: I see myself in all of you
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Lionel Messi avoids leg injury, Inter Miami storms back to win 3-2 vs. CF Montreal
Ranking
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Megan Fox, Nicholas Galitzine and More Whose First Jobs Are Relatable AF
- Arrest made in 2001 cold case murder of University of Georgia law student Tara Baker
- Pregnant Hailey Bieber Shares Behind-the-Scenes Photo From Her and Justin Bieber's Maternity Shoot
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- They made one-of-a-kind quilts that captured the public’s imagination. Then Target came along
- WFI Tokens: Pioneering Innovation in the Financial Sector
- Trump trial turns to sex, bank accounts and power: Highlights from the third week of testimony
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Integration of Blockchain and AI: FFI Token Drives the Revolution of AI Financial Genie 4.0
Lysander Clark: The Visionary Founder of WT Finance Institute
New Mexico governor seeks hydrogen investment with trip to Netherlands
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Kyle Richards Uses This Tinted Moisturizer Every Single Day: Get 2 for Less Than the Price of 1
Taking photos of the northern lights with your smartphone? Tips to get the best picture
NWSL will be outlier now that WNBA is switching to charter flights for entire season