TikTok star Miranda Derrick has hit out at her family after Netflix's controversial documentary Dancing for the Devil alleged she was in the grip of a cult.
If you haven't yet sank your teeth into the riveting three-part hit, it tells the story of a group of high-profile TikTok dancers who, back in 2019, became trapped in what many have accused of being a cult masquerading as a management company called 7M Films.
In particular, the series hones in on social media sensation sisters Melanie and Miranda Wilking, who shot to fame back in 2019 for creating catchy dance clips on the video-sharing app.
Advert
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."
Advert
Another adds that they were taught to 'die to your family in order to save them'.
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.
Advert
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'.
Others, however, were left wondering where TikTok star Miranda - as well as the other members of 7M - is now, and where her relationship with her estranged family currently stands.
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.
Advert
"It’s not the place that I think either of them want it to be," he told press this week.
"My hope is that Miranda watches this and that she sees the love and desperation that is genuine that her family has."
Today, however - in a shock twist of fate - social media star Miranda, who still remains a member of the group - has spoken out on the matter, branding the Netflix documentary 'one sided'.
Taking to Instagram, she said: "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."
Advert
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.
"I cannot speak for anyone else, but myself. 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 the documentary is a one-sided story.
"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.
"My family don't honor the space I've asked for and I saw a different side of them I've never seen before. Honestly, it made me mad, frustrated and annoyed that they were being so overbearing and chaotic."
Later in her statement, she said of the Netflix doc: "This documentary has created a further challenge between [her and her family] as I work out how to overcome this public attack.
"I would have preferred that my family's circumstances remain private. 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.
"Respectfully, what I choose to do with my life is up to me."
A spokesperson for Miranda, her husband James, 7M and Robert also denied the allegations featured in the Netflix doc, putting the Wilkings’ claims down to a family disagreement.
“Miranda Derrick is a successful businesswoman and a loving wife and daughter who cares very much about her family,” a statement said.
“While the recent portrayals of Dr. Robert Shinn and 7M Films have been wildly offensive and riddled with inaccuracies, those false claims will not deter 7M from supporting Miranda in whichever endeavors she chooses to pursue next.”
Hannah Shinn, Robert's wife, has also 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: TikTok, Crime, True Crime, Netflix, TV And Film
Rhianna Benson