Mystery as 'Dancing for the Devil' star abandons millions of followers as social media account suddenly vanishes after feds raid TikTok manager's home
Married influencers Miranda and James Derrick left fans baffled after their Instagram and TikTok accounts were suddenly wiped without explanation.
The couple are known for their viral dance videos and content posted through 7M Films, a controversial Los Angeles-based talent management company set up by pastor Robert Shinn.
They appeared along with Shinn as the focus of Netflix 's Dancing with the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, a series examining allegations, which all deny, that his company functions as a cult.
Shinn's home was raided by federal authorities on July 25 in connection with a probe into alleged sex trafficking, money laundering, and fraud.
The Derricks' social media pages disappeared amid intensifying scrutiny of their affiliation with the pastor.
Shinn is the founder of Shekinah Church - a Christian congregation based in the Tujunga neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
Shinn's company 7M Films has face cult allegations growing number of lawsuits and in the now-famous Netflix docuseries.
The move comes amid intensifying scrutiny of the couple's affiliation with pastor Robert Shinn (pictured), whose home was raided by federal authorities on July 25 in connection with a probe into alleged sex trafficking, money laundering, and fraud
In the May 2024 docuseries dancers families, including Miranda's, claimed their loved ones have been manipulated, isolated, and exploited by Shinn and his organization.
While no arrests have been made, the Los Angeles Times reported that the federal raid on a Tujunga, California property tied to Shinn is part of an ongoing investigation.
Miranda, 28, became the central focus of Dancing for the Devil, which explored how she allegedly became estranged from her family after joining 7M and Shekinah Church.
The docuseries details claims of coercive control, labor violations, sexual and emotional abuse, and financial exploitation - allegations that Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films have all denied, People reported.
Despite her family's public pleas - including a viral video and formal reports filed with the LAPD, FBI, and IRS - Miranda insisted in 2024 that she was not a victim and called the Netflix documentary 'one-sided.'
In a since-deleted Instagram post, she denied being in a cult and claimed her participation with 7M was voluntary.
Back in 2022, Derrick's parents and sister posted a harrowing video in which they claimed that they hadn't spoken to their daughter in over a year and that she was being held against her will by a church that was masquerading as a management firm
Shinn has never responded publicly, but 7M Films previously labeled the Netflix documentary 'a slanderous work of fiction,' vowing to take legal action against what it called 'salacious lies.'
Federal officials have not confirmed whether the raid is directly connected to the documentary or the lawsuits filed against Shinn.
Shinn has also filed a defamation suit against several former members who appeared in the series.
In response, the defendants countersued, accusing him and his wife of fraud, forced labor, and human trafficking.
A trial is scheduled for October, according to KTLA.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
Man arrested after pack of dogs tore flesh from girl's ‘entire body' leaving her unrecognizable & needing 500 stitches
A MAN has been arrested almost a month after a teenage girl was attacked by a pack of dogs, leaving her unrecognizable. Tracy Hurtado was left needing over 500 stitches after more than 10 "large breed dogs" savaged her whilst out for a jog in Newberry Springs, California. 6 6 6 The 17-year-old was running on a dirt road between 6:30 and 7 am on July 17 when she was nearly killed by the animals, cops said. A neighbor heard the girls screams, called 911 and rushed to help, quickly followed by Tracy's mother Maria. "I thought they ripped her arms off," the distraught mom told ABC News. "I didn't know who she was. She was so dirty, covered in dirt, so I couldn't recognize my daughter. "I recognized her bra, that's what I recognized." "I got close to her and she asked me, 'Mom, am I still pretty? and I said 'Yeah, you're beautiful," Maria added. Tracy was rushed for treatment at the Loma Linda Children's Hospital where she stayed for a number of days. Her stepfather Carlos Ramirez told the news outlet how she needed over 500 stitches for wounds all over her body. "What was going through my mind was the worst," he said. "It was not one dog or two dogs, it was a lot. I mean, they bit every part of her body you could think of except for her ankles." Officials said she had suffered "large lacerations, abrasions, and removed flesh." On August 13, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced the arrest of Craig Arthur Simmons in connection with the attack. Officials confirmed the 61-year-old's arrest after having "conducted surveillance" on his home. Prior to the arrest, cops saw him riding his bike near the property and they interviewed him and took him into custody. He is charged with being the owner of an animal causing serious bodily injury or death. Officials had previously seized 16 dogs from the area before a criminal investigation was launched. The Sheriff's Department added that the canines belonging to Simmons were "not fenced or leashed at the time of the incident". A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Tracy's recovery. At the time of writing it has raised over $33,000 of its $35,000 goal. "She was getting ready to do her senior year of high school this year," the page reads. "Now, because of this, she has to stay home and go to several doctor's appointments and rehab. "Due to the trauma, she cannot sleep at night; she's having nightmares." 6 6
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Billy Joel closing beloved motorcycle shop amid 'scary' brain disorder health battle
is preparing to part ways with a major passion project as he continues to navigate a serious health condition. The legendary musician, 76, will shut down his Long Island motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, in late September and auction off his extensive collection of bikes later this year, his representative Claire Mercuri confirmed to the Associated Press. The decision comes months after Joel revealed he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a neurological disorder that affects balance, vision, and hearing. Joel first disclosed his diagnosis in May, sharing that symptoms had been 'exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance.' Under medical guidance, he has been undergoing physical therapy and has been advised to step away from performing. As a result, all of his scheduled shows through July 2026 have been canceled. According to the Cleveland Clinic, NPH occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates inside the skull and puts pressure on the brain. The condition primarily impacts older adults and is typically treated by surgically implanting a shunt to drain the fluid. Joel's shop in Oyster Bay opened in 2010 and quickly became a destination for motorcycle enthusiasts and tourists alike. The facility served not only as a workshop for restoring and customizing bikes but also as a gallery showcasing his personal collection — which includes more than 75 motorcycles spanning decades and brands such as Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Indian, and BMW. Among the most notable pieces is a rare 1952 Vincent Rapide, a model that can command tens of thousands of dollars at auction. In a 2013 YouTube video filmed at the shop, the singer explained his motivation for opening the space. 'It's basically promoting an aesthetic here. I like older style. I like the automotive style from the '30s to the '60s. I wanted to collect a whole bunch of those kinds of bikes, put 'em in one place and let people see what that era of bike looked like. Because it's starting to be a lost aesthetic,' he told fans. Joel added that the venture was also a way to boost the local economy in Oyster Bay, the upscale waterfront community where he grew up just miles away in Hicksville. 'I've been living in this community for a long time,' he said in the video. 'I actually grew up not far from here. And I'd like to get a little interest going into the town and the village.' The town has embraced him in return. In 2023, part of the street where 20th Century Cycles sits was renamed Billy Joel Way. Joel's passion for motorcycles stretches back decades, though it has not been without risk. In 1982, he was badly injured on Long Island when a car ran a red light and struck his bike, leaving him with a dislocated wrist and an injured thumb. He recovered after a month in the hospital and remained an avid rider, often using motorcycles to participate in charity events supporting causes such as 9/11 first responders and breast cancer research. While Joel has been spending more time in South Florida, he still maintains homes on Long Island, including a Centre Island estate currently listed for $29.9 million. A date for the auction of his motorcycles has yet to be announced. Billy's illustrious career as a musician began back in the mid-1960s, which led to the release of debut studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971). But it failed to gain any real traction until after the success of his follow-up, Piano Man (1973), that peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Adult Contemporary singles chart. Now an established name on the musical landscape, Joel became a million seller with the release of Streetlife Serenade (1974), but his commercial breakout making him a bonafide star came with the release of The Stranger (1977), which featured the hit singles Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Just The Way You Are, She's Always a Woman, The Stranger, and Only The Good Die Young. He would go on to release a 13th album - Fantasies & Delusions (2001) - that features classical compositions from Joel, a first for him during his career. With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Billy Joel is one of the world's best-selling musical artists, and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Billionaire David Geffen, 82, slams his boytoy ex who lodged explosive sex-and-drugs lawsuit against him
David Geffen has doubled down on insisting his estranged boytoy husband's claims he's a sex and drug-crazed abuser are 'a work of fiction'. Donovan Michaels, 32, alleges his billionaire ex-beau Geffen, 82, forced him to take drugs, subjected him to abusive sex and controlled his every move. Among the salacious claims in his lawsuit were that Geffen forced him to have all his body hair lasered off and once flew into a rage at the sight of an ingrown hair. The pair met in 2016 on a dating website often used by rich people looking for much younger partners. Geffen, a movie and music producer worth about $9 billion, allegedly paid Michaels $10,000 for sex on the night they met, according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court as part of their messy divorce. The pair began a relationship and married in 2023 without a prenup, according to the complaint that accuses Geffen of breach of contract. Geffen promised the Daily Mail the claims were false and he would defend them, insisting there was never any agreement he would look after Michaels. 'There was no contract - express, written, oral, or implied - that has ever existed. We will be vigorously and righteously defending against this false, pathetic lawsuit,' his lawyer Patty Glaser said hours after the lawsuit was filed. Geffen on Saturday made good on his promise with a written response to the court calling the claims 'ludicrous and contrived'. 'Plaintiff cannot embarrass Geffen and extort a settlement with petty gossip and salacious lies,' the document read. Geffen's lawyers denied Michaels' claim that the billionaire promised to give him a life of luxury until his death, along with shared ownership of assets. The response declared there were no agreements of this nature in Geffen's estate planning documents or financial records. He detailed how Michaels burned through massive amounts of cash during their relationship, using assistants to charge luxury purchases to Geffen's accounts. This included fine clothing, plastic surgery, extravagant gifts for friends, and as the marriage began to break down he spent big on OnlyFans and male escorts. 'Geffen loved Plaintiff and treated him with nothing but kindness, respect, and generosity throughout their relationship,' the filing claimed. The response cited the billionaire's friends and staff describing Michaels as 'living like a king' off Geffen's money during the marriage. All the while, it claimed, Michaels was hiding affairs and cocaine and ketamine addictions that persisted even after Geffen paid for rehab. Geffen's filing also rubbished claims he left Michaels destitute and homeless after cutting him off when he filed for divorce in May. He noted the younger man was living rent-free in one of his New York apartments and received a voluntary monthly allowance. Geffen's lawyers characterized the lawsuit as an attempt by Michaels to embarrass him into a settlement that he neither deserved nor needed, and asked for it to be dismissed. Michaels claimed in the lawsuit that he was targeted by Geffen because he was a vulnerable, marginalized young gay black man who spent the majority of his life bouncing around in the foster care system before turning to erotic dancing to make ends meet. The lawsuit claimed Geffen commanded Michaels to use drugs like cocaine and MDMA alongside the entertainment mogul's friends on his 450-foot superyacht, The Rising Sun. The suit also claimed Geffen enjoyed physically dominating his sexual partners and causing them pain, which triggered Michaels' childhood trauma. This allegedly caused him digestive issues, headaches and a desire to isolate himself. The complaint claimed Geffen told Michaels 'where to go, what to wear, what to read, what to watch, and what to say'. The lawsuit even accused the billionaire of making Michaels to undergo painful cosmetic treatments. Geffen is also claimed to have told Michaels he had to be constantly available to him, preventing him from being able to pursue a modeling career. Michaels' lawsuit claimed Geffen did this because after years of being 'a prop in Geffen's theater of virtue', Michaels finally approached his husband and asked to renegotiate the terms of their union. He 'wanted a new beginning wherein he could stand shoulder to shoulder with Geffen as an equal free from power dynamics that existed', the lawsuit claimed. Michaels claimed Geffen rejected this, cut him off financially, and immediately demanded a divorce. 'It was a sick game,' the complaint claimed. 'Michaels became a prop in Geffen's theater of virtue, paraded around as evidence of Geffen's supposed altruism, while privately used as a sexual commodity.' The complaint claimed while Geffen was at the Jeff Bezos–Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice in late June, he ordered Michaels to 'immediately vacate' their New York property, leaving him without a home. 'At the very same time, Geffen was decadently and extravagantly partying and dancing the night away in Venice, Italy with the other .0001 percent of the wealthiest people on the planet,' it claimed. One of the divorce documents prepared by Geffen's lawyers claimed the pair separated in on February 22, 2025, months before the Bezos wedding. As well as Michael's claims about their final days together, the lawsuit includes astonishing allegations about what went on during their relationship. 'Geffen also found additional ways to satisfy his unquenchable thirst for control over Michaels,' the lawsuit claimed. 'With backhanded insults and put-downs about Michaels' past and lack of sophistication, Geffen cultivated Michaels' insecurity and self-doubt. He critiqued every aspect of Michaels' appearance and exercised strict control over his body hygiene.' The billionaire record executive is accused in the lawsuit of ordering his ex-lover to 'undergo extensive, painful' treatments to conform to his idea of 'perfection.' 'Geffen required Michaels to undergo extensive, painful laser and dental treatments. Even something as minor as an ingrown hair could provoke Geffen's ire and prompt a barrage of instructions to correct the imperfection,' according to the complaint. Michaels claimed he was 'awestruck by Geffen', a 'philanthropist' who 'talked the talk' when the younger man revealed issues 'during his underprivileged upbringing', during the ill-fated couple's first meeting nine years ago. He claimed he 'opened up to Geffen', confiding in him 'about the painful realities of his life – his traumatic upbringing in the Michigan foster care system, his lack of a real family, his instability, and his prior run-ins with the law'. 'He spoke candidly, not to gain sympathy from Geffen, but because he believed he had finally found someone who could understand and maybe even care,' it added. But Michaels claimed his future husband 'weaponized [his] vulnerability to fulfill his own personal fantasies', including the lucrative financial transaction he alleges was made on the first night they met. The former model turned go-go dancer claimed in his lawsuit that Geffen 'used Michaels' tragic story not as a reason to offer genuine support, but as a grooming tool – casting himself as savior, "white knight," mentor, and gatekeeper to a better life'. The younger man claimed he became a 'private sexual object and a public prop' that Geffen allegedly used to show off his 'self-proclaimed altruism to impress his powerful network'. 'From that moment forward, Geffen began transporting Michaels across the globe as his paid sex worker,' the complaint claimed.
