The talent management company known as 7M Management (or 7M Films) has become a global flashpoint for controversy, escalating from a viral social media debate into a major federal investigation as recently as July 2025. The story of 7M, which primarily manages high-profile TikTok dancers, is inextricably linked to its founder, Robert Shinn, and his Los Angeles-based religious organization, Shekinah Church. What began as a promise of career growth for social media influencers has been publicly described by former members and media outlets, including a major Netflix documentary, as a manipulative cult, raising serious questions about control, finance, and exploitation within the digital creator economy.
As of December 2025, the controversy surrounding 7M Management and Robert Shinn is far from over. The most significant and recent development is the federal law enforcement action taken against Shinn, which has brought the entire saga back into the spotlight and elevated the seriousness of the allegations from civil disputes to potential criminal charges. This article breaks down the background, the key entities involved, and the shocking details of the latest legal actions against the company's founder.
Robert Shinn: Founder of 7M Films and Shekinah Church Profile
The entire structure of 7M Management is centered on the dual roles of its founder, Robert Shinn, as both a talent manager and a spiritual leader. His profile is a complex mix of business acumen and religious authority.
- Full Name: Robert Israel Shinn
- Primary Role: Founder and CEO of 7M Films (Talent Management Company)
- Secondary Role: Pastor/Leader of Shekinah Church International (a non-denominational church)
- Origin: Reportedly born in Canada
- Shekinah Church Founding: Established in 1994 in the Los Angeles area.
- 7M Films Founding: Launched in 2021, focusing on managing top-tier social media dancers and influencers, particularly those on TikTok.
- Controversy: Accused of using the management company as a front for his church, allegedly isolating dancers from their families, controlling their finances, and exploiting them under the guise of religious guidance.
- Legal Status (Current): Subject of an ongoing federal investigation stemming from a July 2025 raid.
The Shocking Timeline: From TikTok Fame to 'The Devil's' Cult Allegations
The story of 7M Management gained widespread notoriety following the public pleas of family members of signed dancers, most notably the family of Miranda Derrick. The subsequent Netflix docuseries, *Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult*, solidified the public perception of the organization.
The Genesis: A Talent Management Company with a Twist
7M Films was founded with a clear business model: to manage and monetize the careers of highly successful social media dancers. The company promised to handle bookings, brand deals, and career development, allowing the dancers to focus on content creation. However, the talent management aspect was allegedly intertwined with Shekinah Church, requiring the dancers to live in close proximity, attend church services, and adhere to Pastor Shinn's spiritual guidance.
Key Dancers and Associated Entities
The topical authority of the 7M controversy rests on the high-profile individuals involved. The following entities are central to the story, illustrating the depth of the company’s reach into the influencer world and the personal toll of the alleged cult environment:
- Miranda Derrick (Wilking): The most recognizable figure, whose sister, Melanie Wilking, first publicly raised the alarm about her isolation.
- James Derrick (Bdash): Miranda's husband, a talented dancer and choreographer also signed to 7M Management.
- Melanie Wilking: Miranda's sister, who, along with her parents, became the main public voice demanding contact with Miranda, alleging she was being controlled.
- The Wilking Sisters: The duo Miranda and Melanie were known for before the controversy.
- Vik White (Itsslavik): Another prominent dancer and influencer on the 7M roster.
- Nick Raino (Imraino): A dancer associated with the group and the church.
- Kendra Willis (Mizzko) & Cesare Willis: Dancers who were part of the 7M and Shekinah Church orbit.
- Isaiah Shinn: Robert Shinn's son, also reportedly involved in the management and church structure.
- Shekinah Church International: The religious organization led by Robert Shinn, alleged to be the mechanism for controlling the dancers' lives and finances.
- 7M Films: The official name of the talent management company.
The Allegations: Isolation, Financial Control, and Abuse
Former members and defectors from the Shekinah Church and 7M Management have detailed a pattern of psychological manipulation. The core allegations include:
- Isolation: Dancers were allegedly encouraged to cut off contact with their non-member family and friends, leading to emotional distress.
- Financial Control: Accusations that members were pressured to hand over large portions of their earnings from brand deals and social media content to the church or Robert Shinn.
- Exploitation: Claims that the dancers were overworked and exploited for their talent to generate income for the leadership.
- Spiritual Abuse: The use of religious doctrine to enforce compliance and silence dissent, creating a climate of fear and obedience.
The Latest Update: Federal Raid and Sex-Trafficking Probe in July 2025
The most defining and serious development in the 7M saga occurred in July 2025. Federal agents executed a raid on a property linked to Robert Shinn in the Tujunga area of Los Angeles.
The Nature of the Investigation
The raid was a critical turning point, moving the controversy beyond public opinion and civil lawsuits into the realm of criminal investigation.
- Law Enforcement Involved: The raid involved federal agencies, including the FBI, though specific details on the lead agency were initially limited.
- Location: The property raided was reportedly the same house featured in the Netflix documentary, a location tied directly to Robert Shinn and the Shekinah Church.
- The Probe: Multiple news sources reported that the raid was executed in connection with a sex-trafficking probe and other potential allegations. This shocking development significantly raises the stakes for Shinn and the organization.
- Detainment: Reports indicated that Robert Shinn himself was detained by federal agents during the action, although the full details of any charges or formal arrests following the raid were not immediately clear to the public.
This ongoing federal investigation, initiated in mid-2025, represents the most current and serious challenge to 7M Management and Robert Shinn. The outcome of the probe will determine the future of the organization and the legal fate of its founder. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of religion, influence, and the high-stakes world of social media talent management, demonstrating how quickly a digital career can become entangled in profound personal and legal controversy.
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