Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, Documentaries, Real Life, TikTok, US News
Kya Buller
Netflix viewers have now had a week to sink their teeth into the latest mind-bending documentary on the platform, Dancing For The Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, and they are shaken by the details.
The truly chilling three-part series takes a close look at a group of professional and well-respected TikTok dancers who, as they allege, became trapped in what many have now labelled as a 'cult', which called itself '7M Films', a management company.
The docuseries focuses on the heart wrenching story of estranged sisters Melanie and Miranda Wilking, who skyrocketed to social media fame in 2019 after uploading a series of dance videos to TikTok.
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Their growing success led to interest from management companies, and as Melanie regretfully recounts, they eventually signed with 7M Films.
The supposed cult masquerading as management is run by controversial Robert Shinn, who is also a pastor at the Shekinah Church.
Melanie reflects upon her gut feelings at the time and her decision to distance herself from getting too close to the group, whereas her sister Miranda got closer and closer, which led to her cutting herself off from her family.
This shocking admission led to the explanation of 7M Films' concept of 'dying'.
An ex-dancer who managed to leave the group recounted: "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 dancer added that they were taught to 'die to your family in order to save them'.
This chilling act led to members of the group breaking free and leaving, while others were wrapped further in its clutches.
That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to 7M Films controversy.
Many ex-members have alleged leader Robert Shinn of sexual, emotional and financial abuse.
He denies the claims.
The documentary has been a huge shock for many viewers, especially those who follow some of the dancers on social media and had no idea about the murky claims against Robert.
One person tweeted: "I did NOT realize who this dancing with the devil Netflix doc was about?? - not the Miranda dancer girl????"
Those who were just learning of Miranda and her story for the first time have extended worry and well wishes for her wellbeing.
One person wrote on Miranda's Instagram comments: "Praying for yall!"
Another added: "You really broke your sister’s heart."
A third said: "Emotionally manipulated and exploited. So sad."
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."
Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult is now streaming on Netflix.