I’ve had the opportunity to read through the stories of several individuals who were once part of the Shekinah church and 7M Films, led by pastor John Shinn. Their experiences are both heart-wrenching and inspiring, showcasing the complexities of cults and their devastating effects on people’s lives.
Netflix’s latest docuseries is making waves on another massive media platform.
The release of “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult” on May 29 significantly escalated public scrutiny towards the Shekinah Church and 7M Films in Los Angeles, as accusations of abuse gained more visibility. Within its first week on the streaming platform, the docuseries garnered an impressive 4.4 million views according to Variety.
The show focuses on the lives of ex-members from Shekinah and 7M Films, some of whom chose not to be part of it. The church and production company assert their autonomy, despite being led by Pastor Robert Shinn. Established in 1994, the church has seen the birth of 7M Films in 2021, which aims to assist social media sensations and TikTok performers in securing work opportunities in Los Angeles.
Seven dancers, initially partners in creating content for 7M Films through regular TikTok collaborations, later formed a close-knit group under the leadership of Shinn. This core group emerged from Bible study sessions that some of the dancers attended with him. Shinn assumed the role of spiritual guide, claiming his teachings held the key to salvation for his followers.
Some individuals depicted in the documentary accuse Shinn of being an abusive cult leader. They claim he prevented them from maintaining connections with their families by persuading them that to be rescued, they had to metaphorically “let go” of relatives who didn’t adhere to his teachings. He allegedly assured them that if they were righteous enough, they could also save their loved ones from spiritual peril.
Based on the testimonies of the dancers featured in the documentary, Shinn assured them of substantial riches and offered monetary guidance. The dancers claim that Shinn helped them secure endorsement deals. However, Aubrey Fisher, a former church member, asserts that Shinn took as much as 70% of the dancers’ earnings.
Several women also accused him of sexual assault.
Due to its widespread appeal, the docuseries has piqued the interest of famous personalities such as Cardi B. In a live session on TikTok, she voiced her opinions. Drawing parallels between the experiences of the dancers and those of women she’s encountered in strip clubs, Cardi B shared her perspective.
I understand how it feels to idolize someone, believing they hold the key to success. But let me tell you, my dear 7M members, that was June 4th, and Cardi B spoke those words to us. She may be manipulating you because she senses your need for her, but trust me, you are the real talent here. It’s natural to feel desperate when you believe your abilities aren’t translating into financial rewards. But hold on, it will come to you eventually.
In 2022, Shinn initiated a defamation case against some ex-church members, which included Priscylla, identified as Elisha Priscylla Leigh in legal records, and Melanie Lee in the lawsuit.
Last year, the Lee sisters and other former members of Shekinah filed a lawsuit against Shinn and the church in response. They accused them of practices including “mind control, physical harm, sexual misconduct, emotional distress, and manipulation.” The trial is scheduled for 2025.
After the documentary was made public, some of its subjects spoke out further about their personal stories, whereas others chose not to comment. Here’s an update on the background and current status of individuals associated with 7M and Shekinah.
Miranda Derrick
The docuseries focuses on the story of Miranda Derrick, formerly known as Miranda Wilking. Her loved ones, including her sister Melanie and parents Dean and Kelly Wilking, drew attention to Miranda’s involvement in what they believed to be a “cult” through Instagram Live in February 2022.
I, Derrick, am happily married to James, who goes by the nickname “BDash.” Despite this commitment, I remain an active participant in Shekinah Church and 7M Films.
As a movie critic, I’d put it this way: “After the show ended, Derrick expressed his disappointment by labeling it ‘one-sided.’ Despite her deep affection for her family, we unfortunately find ourselves on different wavelengths.”
Last week on my social media platforms, I opened up about the docuseries that recently premiered and the unexpected consequences we’ve experienced since then. My husband and I have been subjected to unwanted attention, harassment, and even received threatening messages with disturbing content. It got to a point where our safety became a major concern: “Our lives are at risk.”
In May, she went to her sister’s wedding. Before the docuseries, which she believes deepened the rift with her family, was made public, she attended.
“Derrick expressed his confusion over how attending this documentary with his family was supposed to improve their relationship or benefit him personally. For the past few years, he had been making progress towards healing their bonds through private meetings. However, the documentary’s impact has hindered this process significantly.”
As a movie critic, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness when I reflect on my experience with my family and that recent documentary we all became so engrossed in. The hours spent watching it together, discussing its themes and analyzing its messages, have seemingly overshadowed the time we once dedicated to nurturing our relationships. And I can’t help but feel a twinge of pain as I acknowledge this reality: they seem to have forgotten about me in the process.
Melanie Wilking
As a cinephile, I used to be part of the Wilking sisters’ harmonious dance duo before it disbanded. Now, my former partner in rhythm and grace, Melanie, is starting a new chapter in her life. She tied the knot with Austin Ekeler from the Washington Commanders on May 25th. I couldn’t help but wonder if I should extend an invitation to my sister Miranda and her husband James “BDash” Derrick, who were pondered over in a recent docuseries. To my delight, they graced the occasion with their presence.
Last week, in response to Miranda Derrick’s allegations of threats, Wilking expressed sympathy to People magazine, stating, “We deeply regret that she felt threatened in any way. Our goal was solely to protect her from harm and provide her with love and support.”
As a devoted moviegoer, I couldn’t help but defend Derrick’s name once again. My sister’s accusations against Shinn, I firmly believed, were instigated by him, not reflecting the true thoughts and beliefs of my dear friend Derrick.
“According to Wilking (as quoted by People), she sees her as a very loving and kind person who has always been dear to our family. Therefore, it’s hard to believe that this loving side of hers would accuse us.”
Robert Shinn
Shinn is the controversial figure at the center of the doc.
In 2009, Lydia Chung, a former member of the Shekinah church, attempted to file a lawsuit against Shinn and the organization accusing them of fraud and labor law infringements. Lydia claimed that Shinn and the church had wielded excessive influence over her through manipulation, mind control, coercive persuasion, oppression, and other intimidating methods. Additionally, she asserted that she had been defrauded out of a significant sum of money – approximately $3.8 million.
Shinn continues to reside in Los Angeles. He hasn’t directly addressed the docuseries himself, but 7M stated on Instagram that it is a “defamatory work of fiction, birthed from an unsuccessful attempt at blackmail” by the Lee sisters and other undisclosed accomplices. According to the post, they orchestrated a malicious campaign against Shinn in 2022.
“We’ll keep taking legal actions to put a halt to the spread of scandalous falsehoods, and we’re confident we’ll be proven right in a court of law.”
Melanie Lee responded June 5 on Instagram.
I’d respond to Mr. Shinn’s unfounded claim he made publically by saying this: The ongoing lawsuit and the documentary provide sufficient evidence, in my opinion. Mr. Shinn was mandated by the court to pay more than $75,000 in legal fees due to his baseless accusations against me and Ms. Leigh. We’re eagerly anticipating presenting our case before a jury and achieving a just outcome.
In the documentary, it was depicted that ex-members attempted to construct a case accusing Shinn of sexual assault. However, no formal charges have ever been filed against him. According to TMZ reports, two potential cases didn’t progress due to lack of substantial evidence, causing the police to decline them.
Melanie Lee
Priscylla Lee has an younger sibling named Melanie. They were both born in South Korea and faced challenging childhoods as their father left the family and their mother battled with alcohol and gambling dependencies.
While settling in L.A., they stumbled upon Shekinah Church in their search for a welcoming community. However, it was later revealed that Shinn, the church leader, established businesses in the area and preferentially employed members of the church, many of whom were low-income immigrants. This allowed him to pay them subpar wages. Furthermore, rumors suggest that Shinn made decisions regarding the housing arrangements of his congregation, ultimately leading to Melanie and Priscylla being separated from each other.
After being a part of the church for ten years, Melanie made the decision to depart. This was following an unfortunate request from Shinn for her to engage in an intimate relationship with a fellow church member.
“Lee shared on Instagram on June 5th that this experience, though challenging and draining at times, was revitalized by your overwhelming displays of affection, encouragement, and optimism. It left her feeling uplifted, moved to tears, and made the effort worthwhile.”
Melanie has a daughter, Devyn, who was also featured in the series.
Priscylla Lee
Priscylla followed her sister to Shekinah and remained there for 23 years after her departure. They are currently making efforts to mend their relationship.
At the performance, Priscylla shared her experiences with mental health issues and thoughts of self-harm following her departure from the church. She accused Shinn of sexually abusing her while she was a member. She explained that it started with him persuading her to give him massages and spend private moments with him. After Priscylla’s sister left the church, she claimed that Shinn pressured her by insisting she needed to atone for Melanie’s misdeeds.
Priscylla claimed that Shinn’s mistreatment of her didn’t end even after he married, and his new wife, Hannah, confronted her when she learned about their “relationship.” Displeased by this revelation, Hannah reportedly assaulted Priscylla. Ultimately, the situation led to Priscylla’s departure from the church.
I’ve left Los Angeles and am focusing on healing, as mentioned in that documentary. I’m currently off social media and have kept quiet about the series so far.
James ‘BDash’ Derrick
Since May 20, BDash’s TikTok profile has remained dormant without any new content. Similarly, his Instagram account has been quiet since May 31. The last seven posts on his Instagram page are collaborative dance videos featuring his spouse, Miranda.
BDash excels at krump dancing. He frequently collaborated with Kevin “Konkrete” Davis in this dance style. Together, they became part of Shinn’s church and agency.
I’ve shared on my Instagram story a post made by my sister, Tamra Derrick, expressing her disapproval of the new Netflix series.
I couldn’t help but notice that the documentary only presented one perspective on the matter. It would have been fair to include interviews with James’ family as well, since they are an essential part of the story too.
BDash agreed with his sister’s perspective, adding “she expressed that very well” in his writing. He remains part of both 7M Films and Shekinah Church.
Kevin ‘Konkrete’ Davis
In July 2022, Konkrete departed from 7M Films following an alleged request by Shinn for the team to sign confidentiality agreements.
As a film enthusiast looking back on my past, I once attended a church with my good friend and creative partner, BDash. We even teamed up for the NBC show “World of Dance” in the year 2018. However, after I left the church, my connection with BDash started to fade. We gradually stopped engaging with each other on social media platforms.
Concretely, Concrete joined Beyoncé’s 2023 Renaissance world tour as a backup dancer. He was recruited by the Grammy-winning artist after she came across his dance clips on social media, according to an interview he gave with KQED in January.
Konkrete is also a musician. His most recent single, “Now and Then,” was released in January.
After departing from Shekinah, Konkrete has had the opportunity to work with Louis Vuitton as a model and joined a group of 65 male dancers for Ryan Gosling’s live performance of “I’m Just Ken” at this year’s Oscars.
As a movie buff, I’d put it this way: In the docuseries, I shared the story of how I met and fell in love with Kailea Gray, my partner and fellow social media creator.
After the premiere of the program, Konkrete expressed gratitude towards Netflix on Instagram and reassured his audience that he is doing well.
“On June 1st, in a video, he shared, ‘I’m growing older now, gaining more wisdom.’ He added, ‘It’s never too late for us to learn.’ Some individuals criticize, saying ‘They have feeble minds.’ But it requires a weaker mindset to judge others in such a manner, as learning is an ongoing process for everyone.”
Kailea Gray
The dancer departed from Shekinah concurrently with Konkrete, who is now her spouse. They regularly update their social media accounts together, often showcasing his music.
Kylie Douglas, a previous 7M teammate, and Gray remain good friends. They recently appeared in an Instagram story they shared mutually just last week.
“Healing is an artistic process: a voyage that takes us through the lows of suffering and the highs of self-exploration,” Gray posted on Instagram on May 31st. “We may bear wounds that weren’t our making, but the power we uncover in healing them is proof of our ability to bounce back. In unity, we rise, stronger and complete.”
On June 2, Gray stitched a TikTok video of a creator calling for an investigation into BDash.
She expressed concern that the focus is mainly on the victims rather than the real culprit, who is Shinn and should be the primary target for action.
She remarked, “It seems more significant to examine the influence behind his wrongdoings rather than the blameless individual who is being manipulated by this dreadful man.”
Nick ‘Raino’ Raiano
I decided to take a break from social media after watching that thought-provoking docuseries. Previously, I used to share my dance videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, often teaming up with fellow 7M members. But after seeing the series, I felt it was time for me to step back and reassess my online presence.
I’ve come across an Instagram account named @exposing7M, which was highlighted in the documentary and has connections with former members. According to this account and my sources, Raino is currently still a part of the 7M group. Furthermore, his parents, Lawrence and Migdalia Raiano, who were featured in the series, have confirmed this information. Migdalia even took it upon herself to share her concerns about the cult’s tactics on her Facebook page while promoting the documentary.
“Cults tend to attract highly capable individuals who are dedicated to serving a higher power, according to her. However, those in charge require minimal effort and frequently exhibit narcissistic traits, drawing sustenance from the selfless attributes they themselves lack.”
Aubrey Fisher
Fisher is both a dancer and choreographer who has risen to prominence. In his quest for innovation, he began teaming up with other influential figures in the dance world, such as Vik White. Their collaboration bore fruit when they appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in the year 2021.
After receiving invitations from friends and colleagues BDash, White, and Raino, Fisher started joining meetings with Shinn. Simultaneously, Konkrete, Gray, and Douglas, who were also in the group at that time and happened to be Fisher’s girlfriend, left the group.
As a cinephile and social media enthusiast, I’ve been following Fisher’s journey closely. He’s still sharing his dance moves on Instagram and TikTok regularly. Recently, he took the stage for the first time as an actor in the one-night play “Meet Me in the Prayer Room.” And just last month, on May 31, I was thrilled to hear that he dropped his debut single, “No Trace.” He’s been giving us sneak peeks of new music on Instagram, keeping us all on the edge of our seats.
Kylie Douglas
Douglas became a member of Shekinah Church following his partner, Fisher, who started attending Bible studies with Shinn. The duo frequently shared dance videos online as a couple. Both of them departed from the church simultaneously.
I’m one of the individuals, a woman in this case, who has made allegations against Shinn for sexual assault. The documentary highlighted my attempts to bring these claims to the attention of the authorities by reporting the incident to the police. Regrettably, no charges have been brought against the pastor as of now.
After leaving 7M behind, I started my own junior dance company from scratch. Now, under new management, I’m nurturing fresh dancing talents.
In an interview on Extra, Douglas responded to Miranda Derrick’s criticisms of the documentary, labeling them as one-sided perspectives.
“Derrick’s statements are painful for me since many of us are putting in efforts to assist him, among whom is myself. Yet, I understand where she’s coming from as she is deeply immersed in the group and may be unable to perceive the film’s clear message,” she explained.
Vik White
White has not addressed the series or its claims, although he’s still active on TikTok.
Slavik Pustovoytov, originally from Ukraine and born there, relocated to the US when he was twelve years old. On the fifteenth series of “So You Think You Can Dance,” he placed fourth as a competitor.
I had the pleasure of making appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” not once, but twice in the year 2021 and 2022. Each time, I was joined by Fisher. Our visits were filled with lively dancing and heartfelt expressions of support for our cherished family members back in Ukraine.
I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Isaiah Shinn, son of the renowned figure, and we’ve created some amazing content together. On a memorable day in May, we released a dance video on Instagram set to “Like That” by The Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar. The captivating footage was taken in a grand theater and was one of numerous productions that the dynamic 7M team had put together. Not only did I contribute, but BDash and Mirand Derrick also shared videos filmed at the same location on that very day. Our experiences and creative energies melded together seamlessly, resulting in an engaging and captivating series of content for our audience.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Anne Hathaway and her versatility as an actress, so when I heard she was starring in a new Prime Video movie called “The Idea of You,” I was immediately intrigued. What made this news even more exciting for me is that the film features White, a talented actor I’ve admired from afar, joining Anne’s cast as a member of the fictional boy band August Moon.
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2024-07-18 20:12