Miranda “Wilkin” Derrick, famous on TikTok and Instagram for her dance videos, is being held hostage by a religious cult, according to her family.
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The Michigan-born “TikTokeuse” is signed to entertainment firm 7M, created by Shekinah Church founder Robert Shinn. Since his contract with 7M, Derrick would have completely cut ties with his family. She reportedly even missed her grandfather’s funeral in January.
The internet star’s parents told The Times UK that they were also not notified of their daughter’s marriage to dancer James Derrick, a member of the same entertainment firm.
“It’s definitely been the hardest year of my life,” Melanie Wilkin, Miranda’s sister, told the British magazine.
For many, including the “TikTokeuse” family, the Shekinah Church is a cult.
The sisters shared a TikTok account until 2021. They were inseparable before Miranda’s contract with 7M.
“All these people who are with the firm, including Miranda and James, are not in control of their lives right now. Someone else is controlling them, and they are all victims,” Melanie Wilkin explained in an Instagram video.
Miranda Derrick has over 1.3 million followers on Instagram.
The firm’s founder is known for recruiting dancers. Mr. Shinn is also linked to the “Seven Mountain Mandate”, a conservative Christian movement accused of wanting to get involved in matters related to the family, education, media, entertainment and government.
Representatives for Robert Shinn have reportedly denied all allegations, arguing that the founder of the Shekinah Church “did not adhere to the doctrine of prosperity.” Mr. Shinn had already been sued in 2009 by a woman member of the same Church. Lydia Chung claimed the man cut him off from his family, brainwashed him and cheated out of $3.8 million.
In an Instagram post, Miranda Derrick defended herself that she was not part of a religious group, and that members of the 7M firm communicated regularly with their families.