Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career Money
    • Health Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes amp; Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • NYFW
    • Life In Plastic
    • Cari Champion
    • New Books
    • Postpartum Psychosis
    1. Culture
    2. TV shows

    Where Is Miranda Derrick from 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult' Now?

    The dancer and influencer's family claims she has been in an alleged cult for over three years.

    Quinci LeGardye#039;s avatar
    By Quinci LeGardye Contributions by Sadie Bell
    Last updated 6 June 2024 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Melanie Wilking and Miranda Derrick in Netflix#039;s #039;Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult#039;
    (Image credit: Netflix)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Social media, the dance community, and alleged coercive control intersect in Netflix's latest cult documentary, Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult. In February 2022, the Wilking family went viral on Instagram after they posted an emotional livestream claiming that famed TikTok dancer Miranda Wilking, now known as Miranda Derrick, was under the control of an alleged cult leader named Robert Shinn. As both news outlets and Internet sleuths began to look into Shinn's past, more and more concerning evidence kept coming up that Miranda, her now-husband James Derrick, and the other dancers employed under the talent incubator 7M Films may allegedly live under complete financial and emotional control, despite the sunny, positive image put forth on social media.

    Since the docuseries' release on May 29, countless viewers have been on the lookout for any information regarding where Miranda and other subjects of Dancing for the Devil are now. Below, we've rounded up everything we know about Miranda Derrick's whereabouts and whether she is still allegiant to the alleged cult now, two years after the three-part doc was filmed.

    Who is Miranda Derrick (née Wilking)?

    Miranda Derrick (neé Wilking) was raised in suburban Michigan, where she and her younger sister, Melanie Wilking, began dancing as children. According to her family's interviews in Dancing for the Devil, in which Melanie, mom Kelly, and dad Dean participated, Miranda moved to Los Angeles to pursue dance professionally after graduating high school. Melanie followed soon after, and the sisters found success on social media, creating the joint profile "The Wilking Sisters."

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    In 2019, Miranda connected with James "BDash" Derrick over Instagram DM, and the krump dancer collaborated with Miranda and Melanie on videos, before Miranda and BDash began dating. In late 2020, the couple started working with 7M Films, a new management company founded by Shekinah Church pastor Robert Shinn. They also joined Shinn's church and moved into a home that he owned.

    miranda derrick, james amp;quot;bdashamp;quot; derrick, and melanie wilking in netflix#039;s #039;dancing for the devil: the 7m tiktok cult#039;

    Miranda Derrick, James "BDash Derrick," and Melanie Wilking, in a still from Netflix's Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.

    (Image credit: Netflix)

    In February 2022, Melanie, Kelly, and Dean Wilking took part in an Instagram Live where they shared their allegations that Miranda had become part of a "cult," claiming that she, BDash, and the other dancers in 7M were allegedly under Shinn's control. They said that Miranda Derrick had cut all ties to the family after officially signing with 7M in January 2021, adding that they believed she had been “brainwashed” by the organization.

    You may like
    • the women from secret lives of mormon wives sit around a table with a checkered table cloth wearing flower crowns and drinking dirty sodas in a still from mormon wives season 4 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Returns in September. Here's What We Know
    • melanie wears a blue cover up and bikini and sincere wears swim trunks as they pose together by a pool in love island usa season 8 Melanie Shut Down Speculation About Her and Sincere's Relationship After the 'Love Island USA' Reunion
    • A still of Taylor Frankie Paul and Ben Lambert in #039;The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.#039; 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 6 Is Already Filming. Here's All the Updates So Far

    Following the Instagram Live, several outlets including Rolling Stone and The Cut published exposés on the group and Robert Shinn's alleged history of abuse, including a former lawsuit brought against him by an ex-Shekinah member. Several dancers left 7M in the months prior, and in 2023, a group of dancers and former church members filed a (still ongoing) lawsuit claiming that Shinn and other defendants subjected people “to brainwashing, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, manipulation, and exploitation.”

    Is Miranda Derrick still a member of the alleged '7M TikTok Cult'?

    As of the docuseries' May 29 release, Miranda Derrick still appears to be a member of 7M Films. Though the company's website does not have an official roster, she and BDash have credited Robert Shinn's son Isaiah for filming several recent videos, many of which match the 7M filming and content style (such as dances to older songs). She also appears to collaborate with other dancers allegedly under 7M Films, including Vik White, RainO, Kendra "KO" Willis, and Ceasare “Tighteyex” Willis.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Are Miranda Derrick and James "BDash" Derrick still together?

    Miranda became engaged to James "BDash" Derrick in August 2021, with BDash proposing during a dance video. The couple was later married, though it is unclear when the ceremony was. Earlier this year, the pair shared throwback photos of themselves dressed in wedding attire. As of June 2024, the Derricks are still married and based in Los Angeles.

    A post shared by Miranda Derrick

    A photo posted by on

    Has Miranda Derrick responded to 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult?'

    Several days after Dancing for the Devil premiered, Miranda shared a statement on social media on June 4. According to Glamour, she denied that she belonged to a cult and attributed the tension between her and her family members to be about her faith.

    She wrote on her Instagram Stories, "I just wanted to hop on here really quick and first of all say thank you to everybody who’s been so supportive during this time. In the next couple slides I’ve included my statement of this documentary that’s just been released. I can’t go into too much detail because of legal purposes, but I wanted to add my side of the story a little bit."

    What to read next
    • A photo of Nikki Ogunnaike with an inset photo of Lindsay Hubbard and text reading Money. Power. Style. Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike Where Lindsay Hubbard's Famous Confidence Really Comes From
    • Dannelle Davidson wears a wedding dress and veil while talking with Harry Jowsey (unseen) in the finale of Netflix#039;s #039;Let#039;s Marry Harry.#039; 'Let's Marry Harry' Runner-Up Dannelle Davidson Has a Lot of Thoughts About That Shocking Finale
    • amanda kloots wears a pink suit and her hair in a bun smiling in the netflix reality show let#039;s marry harry Meet Amanda Kloots, the Star Fitness Instructor Who's Among the Confidantes on 'Let's Marry Harry'

    "I have been getting together with them over the past couple years to make amends, move on and work things out as a family,” she continued. “This documentary has created a further challenge between us as I work to overcome this public attack. No one likes to be portrayed as their brainwashed/not in control of her own life/shell of herself/human trafficked daughter/sister when that just isn’t the truth.”

    The dancer posted the statement nearly a week after the docuseries' premiere. Before speaking out, she continued to share content centered on her routines, including one clip featuring her husband BDash, soundtracked by Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso." Comments have also been limited under her posts.

    Fans also speculated that Miranda could have subtly shaded the docuseries in a June 1 shared post, where she collaborates with another alleged 7M dancer, Kendra “KO” Willis. Willis captioned the post, "Dancing it out with my sis by my side," which some have seen as a possible indirect criticism of Miranda's sister Melanie.

    A post shared by Kendra “KO” Willis

    A photo posted by on

    Miranda's recent statement is not the first time she's denied her involvement in the alleged cult. In May 2022, following her family's Instagram Live, she denied all allegations in a statement to The Cut.

    "I am not held against my will and I've never been a hostage," she said. "I go to church and I have faith in God. If one day I wish to pursue my faith elsewhere, I will and feel completely free to do that. As far as my career, my time at 7M Films has been one of the most exciting years ever and if one day I wish to partner with a different management company or start my own company, I will. No one is forcing me to do anything. I am excited to move forward in this incredible walk with God, an amazing marriage and exciting career. I’m also looking forward to moving past all of this and mend my relationship with my family privately."

    7M Films have also spoken out about the Wilkings' concerns. In a 2022 statement to The Daily Beast, a representative for 7M Films said, “Miranda Derrick is a successful businesswoman and a loving wife and daughter who cares very much about her family. 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.”

    What is Miranda Derrick's relationship with her family?

    As seen in the documentary, Miranda Derrick eventually reconnected with her family after a period of estrangement, and the Wilking family is still in contact with her today. However, in the doc, Melanie Wilking says that her relationship with her sister feels superficial and admits that she hesitates to include Miranda in major life events, such as her then-upcoming wedding.

    On June 2, 2024, Melanie shared her first public statement since filming the documentary, via her Instagram stories. Per Glamour, Melanie (who now does by her husband Austin Ekeler's surname) thanked viewers for the support she and her family have received since Dancing for the Devil premiered on Netflix, while also speaking out on her relationship with Miranda.

    “Thankfully, since going public in 2022, we have reunited with my sister, who even attended my wedding,” Melanie wrote. “We believe that one day my sister and the other victims will realize their love for their families and faith was exploited. When that happens, we will be there for them without judgment."

    Since then, Melanie opened up to Glamour in an interview, reportedly conducted on June 5 and published on June 6, about reuniting with her sister on her wedding day. She confirmed that Miranda and BDash both attended the ceremony on May 25 (just days before the docuseries dropped), which she called "truly the best day of my life."

    She told the outlet that her "interactions were very positive" with her sister, adding, "I'm glad we can share that memory together.”

    A post shared by Miranda Derrick

    A photo posted by on

    Miranda, meanwhile, posted pictures from the venue.

    Melanie also explained to Glamour that she and her sister have not continued talking since Dancing for the Devil premiered. She said, "Sadly, I did reach out but I have not heard back."

    She noted that she does not believe Miranda has actually watched the three-parter, despite her recent statement. "I feel it is very clear that she did not watch it because it’s so much bigger than just our family situation," she explained. "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."

    While there continues to be a rift between the Wilkings sisters and Melanie said she's "not too sure" if contact will continue, she also expressed hopefulness. She shared, "I’m hopeful that we will stay in contact. I don’t necessarily know what that looks like. But I’ve never lost hope that we will get our relationship back."

    Explore More
    True Crime Netflix Documentary
    Quinci LeGardye
    Quinci LeGardye
    Social Links Navigation
    Culture Writer

    Quinci LeGardye is a Culture Writer at Marie Claire. She currently lives in her hometown of Los Angeles after periods living in NYC and Albuquerque, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. In 2021, she joined Marie Claire as a contributor, becoming a full-time writer for the brand in 2024. She contributes day-to-day-content covering television, movies, books, and pop culture in general. She has also written features, profiles, recaps, personal essays, and cultural criticism for outlets including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vulture, The A.V. Club, Catapult, and others. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her watching the latest K-drama, or giving a concert performance in her car.

    With contributions from
    • Sadie Bell Senior Culture Editor
    Read more
    melanie wears a blue cover up and bikini and sincere wears swim trunks as they pose together by a pool in love island usa season 8
    TV shows Melanie Shut Down Speculation About Her and Sincere's Relationship After the 'Love Island USA' Reunion The third-place winner was more upfront on TikTok about where she stands.
    By Radhika Menon
    the women from secret lives of mormon wives sit around a table with a checkered table cloth wearing flower crowns and drinking dirty sodas in a still from mormon wives season 4
    TV shows 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Returns in September. Here's What We Know Expect the off-screen drama that unfolded in recent months to make it to the screen.
    By Megan Wahn
     
     
    A still of Taylor Frankie Paul and Ben Lambert in #039;The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.#039;
    TV shows 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 6 Is Already Filming. Here's All the Updates So Far It's anyone's guess on whether #MomTok will survive this.
    By Quinci LeGardye
    A man in a navy dress shit and pants (Harry Jowsey) and a woman in a strapless blue cutout gown (Amber Mozo) argue while sitting on a white couch, in the #039;Let#039;s Marry Harry#039; reunion.
    TV shows Amber Mozo Claims Harry Jowsey Got a New Girlfriend Right After Their Short-Lived Nupitals The symbolic spouses revealed their break-up during the Netflix show's contentious reunion.
    By Radhika Menon
     
     
    Latest in TV shows
    A still of Taylor Frankie Paul and Ben Lambert in #039;The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.#039;
    TV shows 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 6 Is Already Filming. Here's All the Updates So Far
    A man in a black suit (Hyun Bin as Baek Kitae) sits at an ornate desk, with the Korean flag behind him, in Hulu#039;s #039;Made in Korea.#039;
    TV shows Hyun Bin and Woo Do-hwan Tease Their Sibling Rivalry in 'Made in Korea' Season 2
     
     
    A group of women wear yellow jerseys while posing in a baseball dugout, in the TV series #039;Slo Pitch.#039;
    TV shows Looking for a Sapphic Sports-Romance? Here's How to Watch 'Slo Pitch' This Fall
    A man and a woman (Sam Braun as Josh Regis and Miku Martineau as Teagan Tao) wearing activewear face each other while standing iin a wooden clubhouse, in Netflix#039;s #039;Crew Girl#039;.
    TV shows 'Crew Girl' Is the Next Must-Watch Teen Drama—Meet Its Roster of Rising Stars
     
     
    Latest in News
    Jennifer Lopez wears a brown leotard with rare Nike sneakers, embracing Hailey Bieber#039;s jelly shoe sneaker hybrid trend.
    Celebrity Style Jennifer Lopez Is Embracing the Jelly Shoe Hybrid Trend
    Michelle Obama was spotted attending Celine Dion’s concert in Paris, where she made a stylish appearance in a Diotima dress and carried a Liffner bag
    Celebrity Style Michelle Obama Hops on Fall 2026's Suede Bag Trend
     
     
    Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana (1961 - 1997) and Prince Charles at Victoria Station, London, where they will welcome a state delegation from Nigeria, March 1989.
    Royals Why Queen Elizabeth "Was Furious" With Princess Diana
    King Charles wearing a crown at his coronation
    Royals Royal Fans Help "Fix" an "Embarrassing" King Charles Mistake
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.