It's been just over a week since brand new true crime documentary Dancing for the Devil landed on Netflix, and still, viewers can't quite wrap their head around the spine-tingling real life story behind it.
For those unfamiliar with the three-part series, it tells the story of a group of high-profile TikTok dancers who became trapped in what many have accused of being a cult masquerading as a management company called 7M Films.
And today - in a shock twist of fate - social media star Miranda Derrick, who was recruited by the controversial group back in 2019 and still remains a member - has spoken out about the popular series, branding it 'one sided'.
The series hones in specifically on Miranda (nee Wilking) and her sister Melanie, both of whom shot to fame back in 2019 for creating catchy dance clips on the video-sharing app.
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Despite their online success, the sisters signed with Los Angeles-based 7M Films management, which was being run by controversial owner, Robert Shinn.
As well as Robert himself being a pastor at the Shekinah Church, the firm as a whole was linked closely to a community of individuals in the church.
While Melanie thought it wise to keep herself distanced from the group, Miranda started spending more time with the group's mysterious members which, in turn, saw her cut off contact with her own family.
This formed part of the group's bizarre concept of 'dying'. Another ex-dancer tells viewers of the show: "Dying to yourself means that whatever you want or whatever you need, you have to ‘die to it,’ because whenever you die to something, it’ll come back to life and resurrect."
Another adds that they were taught to 'die to your family in order to save them'.
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Soon enough, however, cracks in this idyllic life began to show, exposing those who allegedly exploited the lives of countless youngsters.
Former members of the group have since accused Robert of sexual, emotional and financial abuse - which he denies.
The series ends by explaining that Shinn - who declined to appear in the documentary - had denied all allegations made against him and has not faced any formal criminal charges.
Instead, he has filed defamation and libel lawsuits against ex-members, three of whom joined a cross-complaint accusing 'Shinn, his wife, their entities and other affiliated individuals' of 'fraud, forced labor and human trafficking, as well as Robert of sexual battery'.
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When the top-rated series came to an end, many viewers were left wondering, however, where Miranda - as well as the other members of 7M - are now.
According to a statement given by documentary director Derek Doneen yesterday (4 June), Miranda was still working with 7M, though she now has a relationship with her family and is aware of the documentary.
"It’s not the place that I think either of them want it to be," he told press this week.
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"My hope is that Miranda watches this and that she sees the love and desperation that is genuine that her family has."
Despite Derek's assertions, however, Miranda has now spoken out herself against the documentary, slamming her family for having taken part.
Taking to Instagram, she hit out: "Hey guys, I hope you’re having a wonderful day! I just wanted to hop on here really quick and first of all, say thank you so much to everybody who’s been so supportive during this time."
Though she claimed she couldn't go into detail 'because of legal purposes', she continued: "I want to start by saying that I appreciate the concern that has been expressed for my well-being.
"Due to pending litigation, in which I am a plaintiff in a defamation lawsuit, it's not appropriate for me to comment on specific allegations. Though I will state that I do not condone abuse in any way."
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Speaking about her family's involvement in the show, Miranda went on to claim that though they'll 'forever be part' of her life, the foursome 'don't see eye to eye'.
"I believe that this documentary is a one-sided story," she went on.
"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."
"I will add that I would have preferred that my family's circumstances stayed private.
"I'm forced and feel that I have no other choice to defend myself because of all of this.
"I can't convince anyone to believe anything. I am just a woman trying to live my life. I am not a victim, I am not in any harm, I am not being abused.
"I've never asked my family or anyone else to 'help' me in any way."
Hannah Shinn, Robert's wife, has also since shared a statement with Tyla.
It reads: "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: Crime, Documentaries, Netflix, TV And Film, True Crime, TikTok
Rhianna Benson