Miranda Derrick Slams Netflix Docu-Series, Sister Melanie Wilking Reacts to the Comments
The Netflix docu-series Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult has been topping the streaming service’s charts this week and now the subjects are speaking out.
The series explores social media star Miranda Derrick‘s estrangement from her family, including sister Melanie Wilking, after joining a religious organization.
Miranda‘s family provides testimonials for the series and tells stories about how Miranda allegedly changed as a person, missed her grandfather’s funeral, and cut off contact with them amid her involvement with 7M.
Miranda has released a lengthy statement in which she addresses everything mentioned in the documentary. Melanie has also responded to the statement.
Keep reading to find out more…
Miranda Derrick’s statement
Hey everyone, just wanted to hop on here and say that I have seen the documentary. I want to start by saying that I appreciate the concern that has been expressed for my well-being.
Due to pending litigation, in which I am a plaintiff in a defamation lawsuit, it’s not appropriate for me to comment on specific allegations. Though I will state that I do not condone abuse in any way.
I cannot speak for anyone else, but myself.
I love my Mom, Dad and Melanie and they will forever be a part of my life. The truth is, we just don’t see eye to eye at this time. I believe that this documentary is a one-sided story. I gave my life to Jesus Christ in 2020 and asked my family for some space in the very beginning to collect my thoughts and process my new walk I wanted to take with God. I also told my sister that I wanted to continue our @wilkingsisters social media page. She logged me out of our account and when I asked for access back she denied my request. So I had no other choice but to start my own account and pursue my own career. I still have yet to receive access into our account. My family didn’t honor the space I asked for and I saw a different side of them I’ve never seen before. Honestly, it made me mad, frustrated and annoyed that they were being so overbearing and chaotic.
In 2020 I went to Michigan to visit my family for Christmas. My Papa was taken to the hospital due to medical issues. We got a phone call saying that he had a short time before he would pass. Melanie and I drove to the hospital to say our last goodbyes. Before we went into the hospital to do so, I started to pray for our Papa in the car and Melanie got offended, angry with me and told me to stop and to never pray around her. Our Papa passed away that day.
Fast forward about a month and a half, Melanie and I are in LA and we’re about to head back to Michigan for our Papa’s funeral. I was at a place with my family where I felt like I was being harassed. My parents and sister are not religious. They immediately called me going to church twice a week a “cult”. I felt that if I went back for the funeral they would try to keep me there and not let me come back to LA. So I told my family that I would not be going to Michigan and that I wanted to move in and begin my life with James. To keep it simple, I did not want to be around them at that time because I felt threatened by them.
I have been getting together with them over the past couple years to make amends, move on and work things out as a family. 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.
I will add that I would have preferred that my family’s circumstances remain private. I’m forced and feel like I have no other choice but to defend myself because of all of this. I can’t convince anyone to believe anything. I am just a woman trying to live my life. I am not a victim, I am not in any harm, I am not being abused. I’ve never asked my family or anyone else to “help” me in any way. Respectfully, what I choose to do with my life is up to me.
As I take time to process and reflect on this situation, I would appreciate your continued support.
Thank you, Miranda Derrick
Melanie Wilking’s reply
In response to Miranda claiming the documentary is one-sided: “They were reached out to many times. And declined every time,” she told Access Hollywood.
On Miranda saying the family didn’t support her new life in religion: “At that point we knew she was in a cult, so of course we are going to have our guard up.”
On why she had her guard up with 7M: “I went to two of their private dinners and two of the services that you have to be invited to, and I picked up on all these red flags. So when she’s saying that we weren’t supportive, it was because I was seeing what she wasn’t seeing. I was seeing that they wanted to, because I wasn’t going anymore, they wanted to rip us apart. And sure enough look where we are.”
On where she stands now with Miranda: “We talk here and there. Once the documentary released, I did reach out but haven’t heard anything back. I know on both sides emotions are high. It’s definitely a difficult time.”
On why she wants Miranda to watch the series: “From the statement that she put it out it is very obvious that she did not. I would want her to watch because it is so much deeper than just our family. Just educate yourself and know that we absolutely love you with all of our heart.”
Posted To:Melanie Wilking Miranda Derrick Netflix