Melanie Wilking has responded to her sister Miranda Derrick's statement on Netflix's Dancing for the Devil docmentary, which called the show 'one-sided' and slammed her family.
The Wilking sisters rose to fame on on social media, often seen in videos dancing to trending music.
But nobody knew it would quickly go wrong once Miranda signed with management company 7M Films.
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Having previously performed alongside pop sensation Katy Perry as a backup dancer and even Flo Rida, Miranda was known for her fantastic dancing abilities.
But ever since Netflix's Dancing for the Devil, she's now more closely associated with allegations that she's ensnared in a 'cult', set up by church pastor Robert Shinn.
It all began when Miranda cut ties with her family three years ago after joining talent management company 7M Films (Shinn’s company).
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That’s when alarm bells rang for her younger sister, Melanie and their parents.
The Wilking family (minus Miranda) decided to participate in Dancing for the Devil, which premiered on May 29.
In the three-part documentary, several former members of 7M accused Shinn of using coercive tactics - which he has vehemently denied.
Speaking to Glamour, the younger sister (also a dancer) broke her silence on her sister’s reaction to the doc series and shared her sadness at the whole situation.
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She shared that since the release of the series, she hasn’t been able to get into contact with her sister.
She said: “I did reach out, but I have not heard back.”
Admitting to have read her sister’s statement which was released one day prior to the interview, she doesn’t feel as though she actually watched the series.
She said: “I feel it is very clear that she did not watch it because it’s so much bigger than just our family situation.
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"It goes so much deeper into that and if you watch the documentary, you would know that.
"So it’s very sad to me, it was very sad when I read that. And it’s like, I do not believe that she watched it.”
Posting to her Instagram Stories on June 4, not long after attending Melanie’s wedding, Miranda wrote about the documentary and the cult allegations surrounding her: “I love my Mom, Dad and Melanie and they will forever be a part of my life. The truth is, we just don't see eye to eye at this time. I believe that this documentary is a one-sided story.
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"I gave my life to Jesus Christ in 2020 and asked my family for some space in the very beginning to collect my thoughts and process my new walk I wanted to take with God."
She added: "My parents and sister are not religious. They immediately called me going to church twice a week a 'cult.'
"I have been getting together with them over the past couple years to make amends, move on and work things out as a family. This documentary has created a further challenge between us as I work to overcome this public attack."
Meanwhile, Hannah Shinn said on behalf of 7M: "The Netflix docuseries is a slanderous work of fiction, born from a failed extortion attempt, and invented for the sole purpose of gaining fame and fortune.
"Two years ago, Melanie Lee Goldman, Priscylla Leigh aka Elisha Priscylla Leigh and their co-conspirators launched a concerted smear campaign to defame Robert Shinn, his family, and his business associates after Mr. Shinn did not capitulate to Ms. Leigh’s extortion demands.
"Despite sworn statements from co-conspirators that confirm the scheme by Ms. Goldman and Ms. Leigh to disseminate widespread lies, Netflix recklessly provided a global platform to peddle a false narrative that is at the center of ongoing litigation.
"We will continue to pursue all legal remedies available to stop the spread of salacious lies and expect to be fully vindicated in court."
Topics: TikTok, Netflix, Documentaries
Britt Jones