Miranda Derrick, known to many as one half of the former Wilking Sisters dance duo on TikTok, has found herself at the center of a storm of controversy. While her online persona radiates joy and dance-filled bliss, her family alleges a darker reality behind the scenes. This narrative is further explored in Netflix’s docuseries, Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, which premiered on May 29th, delving into Miranda’s journey from a rising social media dance star to the epicenter of cult allegations. This article will unpack the story of Miranda Derrick, the dancer, influencer, and figure at the heart of this unsettling documentary.
Who is Miranda Derrick? The Dancer’s Early Life and Rise to Fame
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Miranda Derrick, born Miranda Wilking on February 24, 1997, and her younger sister Melanie, born April 12, 1999, hail from suburban Michigan. From a young age, both sisters shared a passion for dance. Melanie describes young Miranda in Dancing for the Devil as “always creative and very talented,” stating she admired her older sister and aspired to emulate her. Dean and Kelly Wilking, their parents, nurtured their daughters’ love for dance, supporting their aspirations in the field.
After graduating high school, Miranda, the aspiring dancer, relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a professional dance career. A year later, Melanie followed, joining Miranda in LA. Initially, their dream was to audition for dance projects together. However, Melanie recounts that they faced obstacles, being told they couldn’t perform side-by-side due to their similar looks. Undeterred, the sisters shifted their focus to online platforms, starting with YouTube, and eventually embracing TikTok. This pivot led to the birth of the Wilking Sisters brand, which rapidly amassed over 3 million followers, establishing Miranda and Melanie as prominent dance influencers.
The Wilking Sisters Era: A Dance Partnership Takes Off
Miranda and Melanie carved a niche for themselves as the Wilking Sisters, captivating audiences with their synchronized dance routines and engaging personalities. Their TikTok channel became a hub for dance enthusiasts, showcasing their talent and creativity. This online success solidified Miranda’s position as a recognized dancer and influencer in the digital space, setting the stage for the events that would later bring controversy into her life.
The Introduction of James Derrick: A Personal and Professional Shift for the Dancer
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In April 2019, Melanie received a direct message from James “BDash” Derrick, a well-known Krump dancer who had gained recognition on NBC’s World of Dance. James, Miranda, and Melanie collaborated on a dance video, which led to the creation of a group chat. According to Melanie in Dancing for the Devil, James eventually removed her from the chat, focusing his communication solely on Miranda. This marked the beginning of a romantic relationship between Miranda and James.
James, in a 2019 interview with The Washington Post, highlighted the empowering nature of social media for dancers. He emphasized how platforms like TikTok allowed dancers to take control of their art and income, moving away from the disposable perception often prevalent in the traditional entertainment industry. “Dancers get done wrong,” he stated, advocating for dancers to recognize their value and utilize social media to build their careers.
Miranda and James’ relationship deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. James became close with the Wilking family, even staying with them in Michigan while social distancing. In August 2021, James proposed to Miranda in a dance video, and they later married. Miranda shared wedding photos on Instagram in April 2024, though the exact anniversary remained unspecified.
7M Films and Shekinah Church: The Organizations at the Heart of the Controversy
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In 2020, Miranda and James began their association with 7M Films, a content management company founded by Robert Shinn. Shinn is also the leader of Shekinah Church, and many dancers managed by 7M resided in properties owned by him. Melanie recounts in Dancing for the Devil that James was deeply religious, suggesting Miranda’s involvement with Shekinah Church was to maintain proximity to him. Melanie herself briefly joined Shekinah but expressed discomfort with Shinn’s level of control. Kelly Wilking noticed significant financial transactions from Miranda’s accounts around this time, raising further concerns.
The Wilkings’ initial suspicion arose in January 2021 when Miranda declined to attend her grandfather’s funeral, citing COVID-19 as the reason. Melanie later claimed Miranda did not have COVID-19 but “just couldn’t” leave, becoming distressed when questioned. Subsequent unanswered calls and texts heightened the family’s worry, leading them to contact the police for a wellness check. Police reported Miranda was “totally fine” and with a “friend,” later identified as Kloe Shinn, Robert Shinn’s daughter.
Dean Wilking traveled to California to persuade Miranda to attend the funeral. He recounts Miranda stating she needed permission from “someone closer to God” to attend. Dean described Miranda as “nonstop crying,” torn between her family, James, and Shekinah. The Wilkings began researching Shekinah Church and discovered other families of 7M dancers with similar concerns about isolation. They contacted a human trafficking hotline but were informed that legal action was limited as Miranda was an adult. They were advised to maintain communication with her.
While the family continued to email Miranda, they felt the responses did not reflect her authentic voice. According to an Instagram Live video by the Wilkings, they lost nearly all contact with Miranda by early 2021. In December 2021, Melanie attended Miranda’s public dance performance and observed a cold and emotionless demeanor from her sister.
Cult Allegations and Miranda Derrick’s Response
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In February 2022, the Wilkings publicly alleged in a video that Miranda was in a “cult” controlling her family interactions. Following the video’s virality, Miranda and James agreed to meet with Kelly and Dean, which Miranda filmed live. Dean and Kelly expressed their love and excitement to see Miranda but did not consent to further filming.
That same month, Miranda released a TikTok statement denying cult involvement. She claimed family estrangement stemmed from their disapproval of her moving in with James and alleged they had called the police on James, falsely accusing him of kidnapping and abuse due to his race. Miranda also accused Melanie of locking her out of their shared Wilking Sisters TikTok account, despite her desire to continue their partnership.
In a May 2024 statement to The Cut, Miranda asserted her free will and denied being held against her wishes. She affirmed her faith in God and her positive experience with 7M Films, stating her autonomy to change her affiliations if desired. She expressed disappointment in her family for making their conflict public but maintained her love for them. 7M Films, in a statement to Rolling Stone, defended Miranda as a successful businesswoman and loving family member, condemning the public scandal as a click-driven tactic. In March 2022, Miranda posted a TikTok video seemingly mocking the kidnapping claims, featuring James in the background, alluding to her parents’ accusations.
Where is Miranda Derrick Now? Navigating the Aftermath of the Documentary
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Miranda and her family maintain occasional contact, as revealed in Dancing for the Devil, under the condition of avoiding discussion about 7M or Shekinah Church. She has shared photos with her family on social media, including a Mother’s Day video with Kelly in May 2024 and another with Kelly and Melanie in April. However, Melanie expressed in the documentary that these interactions felt “superficial,” potentially for social media optics rather than genuine connection. Melanie also voiced uncertainty about Miranda’s role as maid of honor in her wedding, and Miranda was absent from Melanie’s social media posts regarding her bachelorette party and bridal shower.
The Wilkings have filed reports with various authorities to investigate Robert Shinn, but no criminal charges have been filed. Miranda and James remain married, working with 7M in Los Angeles, and recently appeared as dancers in the Road House remake. Miranda did not participate in Dancing for the Devil but has stated its negative impact on her life. In a June 2024 Instagram video, she cited safety concerns, reporting stalking, hate mail, and death threats since the documentary’s release.
The story of Miranda Derrick, the “Miranda Dancer,” is a complex and unfolding narrative. From her early dance aspirations and social media stardom to the controversy surrounding 7M Films and Shekinah Church, her journey highlights the potential dark side of online fame and the complexities of family, faith, and personal freedom in the digital age. The Dancing for the Devil documentary has brought this story to a wider audience, prompting further scrutiny and raising questions about the true nature of Miranda’s situation and the organizations she is involved with.
