Inside the California church scandal that became TikTok’s latest obsession, tell me about this news in (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-church-scandal-tiktoks-latest-obsession-rcna598587)

The news story revolves around the viral controversy surrounding Shekinah Church, its affiliated talent management company 7M Films, and their leader, Pastor Robert Shinn, which became an internet sensation and a focus of TikTok sleuths.

The Origin of the Controversy

The scandal erupted publicly when the family of dancer Miranda Derrick (née Wilking)most notably her sister and former dance partner Melanie Wilking, along with their parentsposted an emotional video online. They claimed that Miranda had become isolated from her family, cut off communication, and joined what they characterized as a religious cult operating under the guise of a talent management agency called 7M Films.

The Role of 7M Films and Shekinah Church

Robert Shinn founded Shekinah Church in Los Angeles in the 1990s and later created 7M Films to manage high-profile dancers and influencers on TikTok and Instagram. Former members and concerned family members alleged that:

• The organization exerted intense control over members’ schedules, living arrangements, and creative work.

• Members were encouraged to “die to oneself” and sever ties with family members who did not support the church.

• Substantial portions of the influencers’ earnings were allegedly funneled back to the organization through tithes and management fees.

Why It Became a TikTok Obsession

The story captivated millions on social media because of the striking contrast between the allegations and the content being posted:

• Dancers associated with 7M continued to publish upbeat, highly produced dance videos on TikTok daily.

• Viewers began analyzing facial expressions, body language, room backgrounds, and captions for hidden signs of distress, turning the situation into an ongoing online investigation.

Statements and Responses

• Miranda Derrick released statements pushing back against the allegations, maintaining that she was safe, capable of making her own decisions, and had simply chosen to follow her Christian faith. She stated that her family was upset because she sought independence and did not see eye-to-eye with them.

• Robert Shinn and representatives for 7M Films and Shekinah Church repeatedly denied all allegations of undue influence, abuse, and brainwashing, calling the claims baseless attacks on a legitimate business and religious community.

Subsequent Developments

The dispute expanded beyond social media into civil lawsuits filed by several former members alleging financial exploitation, labor violations, and coercive control, and it later became the subject of the Netflix docuseries “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.”