Current:Home > ScamsWho are the Wilking sisters? Miranda, Melanie in 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult' -MoneyMatrix
Who are the Wilking sisters? Miranda, Melanie in 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult'
View
Date:2025-04-11 21:56:46
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! (38)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- Eminem's Daughter Hailie Jade Announces Fashionable Career Venture
- As pandemic emergencies end, some patients with long COVID feel 'swept under the rug'
- Thanks to Florence Pugh's Edgy, Fearless Style, She Booked a Beauty Gig
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Unraveling a hidden cause of UTIs — plus how to prevent them
- Tom Brady romantically linked to Russian model Irina Shayk, Cristiano Ronaldo's ex
- Climate Change Is Shifting Europe’s Flood Patterns, and These Regions Are Feeling the Consequences
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Trump Admin. Halts Mountaintop Mining Health Risks Study by National Academies
Ranking
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- U.S. charges El Chapo's sons and other Sinaloa cartel members in fentanyl trafficking
- Kim Kardashian Shares How Growing Up With Cameras Affects Her Kids
- New Samsung Galaxy devices are coming—this is your last chance to pre-order and get $50 off
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- The End of New Jersey’s Solar Gold Rush?
- Apple AirTags can track your keys, wallet and luggage—save 10% today
- Save 50% On These Top-Rated Slides That Make Amazon Shoppers Feel Like They’re Walking on Clouds
Recommendation
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
Save 50% On These Top-Rated Slides That Make Amazon Shoppers Feel Like They’re Walking on Clouds
Tracking health threats, one sewage sample at a time
Getting ahead of back-to-school shopping? The 2020 Apple MacBook Air is $100 off at Amazon
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Jonathan Majors' domestic violence trial scheduled for August in New York City
Teen with life-threatening depression finally found hope. Then insurance cut her off
She was pregnant and had to find $15,000 overnight to save her twins