The dark side of TikTok dance trends is the subject of a new documentary series released by Netflix. The streamer has shared Dancing for the Devil, a three-episode show that explores the cult-like atmosphere surrounding the talent management company 7M Films.
Robert Shinn, a pastor at Shekinah Church in Los Angeles, is the founder of 7M. By recruiting dancers through his church, Shinn built a highly visible roster that included some notable names from the TikTok dance community.
One of the central figures in Dancing for the Devil is Miranda Derrick (née Wilking), who formed a successful dancing duo alongside her sister Melanie. Miranda was caught in the thrall of 7M. Melanie shares videos on her personal TikTok account, where she reaches more than 3.5 million followers.
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No criminal charges have been filed against Shinn, but many people who have spent time around him have alleged that he used 7M and Shekinah to isolate, manipulate, and abuse vulnerable creators. “Both former 7M employees and church members have accused Shinn of controlling behavior,” reads a post published on Netflix’s Tudum hub.
Derrick’s family began to publicly question Miranda’s safety in 2022. In February of that year, they shared an Instagram video in which they speculated that 7M is a cult.
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That post led to investigations from outlets like The Cut and Rolling Stone. It also drew the attention of Dancing for the Devil executive producer Jessica Acevedo, who soon connected with the concerned family. “Like everyone else, I watched the live and was like ‘What the heck is going on here?'” Acevedo told Variety. She then “got on the phone with the Wilkings later that evening, and we ended up talking for quite a few hours.”
As allegations against Shinn have continued to mount, the 7M leader has professed his innocence. In 2022, he filed a defamation lawsuit against several former church members, including the Lee sisters, who are main characters in Dancing for the Devil.
Now, viewers can decide for themselves how they feel about Shinn’s alleged indiscretions. All three episodes of Dancing for the Devil can be streamed on Netflix.
