The story of the Wilking sisters, Miranda and Melanie, is one that has truly captured the public's attention, especially with a recent docuseries bringing their journey to light. These two, you know, once shared a really popular TikTok presence, showing off their dance moves for millions of people. It’s a bit of a complicated situation, as things went sideways for them, leading to a significant split that has drawn a lot of talk and, in some respects, concern.
Their path to becoming well-known started quite early, actually, when they were just little kids. Growing up in Macomb, Michigan, they were already dancing together, even putting on a dance camp right there in their own backyard. This shared passion for movement and performing, it sort of laid the groundwork for what would later become their big online success. They were, in a way, destined to be dancers, and they eventually made the move to Los Angeles, chasing that professional dream.
But then, something happened that changed everything for the pair. A disagreement, a big falling out, really, with a group called 7M Films, which many have described as a rather controversial religious organization. This event, it seems, caused a deep divide between the sisters, turning their once close partnership into something much more strained. The whole situation has, you know, become a big topic of conversation, and people are trying to make sense of it all.
Table of Contents
- Who Are the Wilking Sisters, Really?
- How Did the Wilking Sisters Become So Well-Known?
- What Happened to the Wilking Sisters' Shared Journey?
- The Rift - What Pulled the Wilking Sisters Apart?
- How Has the Netflix Series Affected the Wilking Sisters?
- The Wilking Sisters and 7M Films - What's the Connection?
- What's Next for the Wilking Sisters?
Who Are the Wilking Sisters, Really?
The two individuals at the center of this story are Miranda Wilking, who now uses the name Miranda Derrick, and her sister, Melanie Wilking. They became quite famous for their dance routines, which they would share online, building up a very substantial following. Their shared account, often just called "the Wilking Sisters," was a big hit, drawing in millions of viewers who loved watching them perform.
These two were, you know, pretty much inseparable in their early careers. They had a shared dream, a common purpose, and they really put in the work to make their mark in the world of dance and online content creation. To give you a clearer picture of who these two sisters are, here are some personal bits of information that have been shared about them, just so you get a better sense of their backgrounds and what they're all about.
| Detail | Miranda Wilking (Derrick) | Melanie Wilking (Ekeler) |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Dancer, Content Creator | Dancer, Content Creator |
| Original Location | Macomb, Michigan | Macomb, Michigan |
| Current Residence (Pursuit) | Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
| Family Connections | Daughter of Kelly & Dean Wilking; Sister to Melanie Wilking; Married to James Derrick | Daughter of Kelly & Dean Wilking; Sister to Miranda Wilking; Married to Austin Ekeler |
| Key Affiliations | 7M Films, Shekinah Church | Formerly with 7M Films |
| Notable Events | Subject of Netflix docuseries, family estrangement | Appeared in Netflix docuseries, worked to reestablish contact with sister |
How Did the Wilking Sisters Become So Well-Known?
It's really quite something, how these two, Miranda and Melanie, built up such a following. They had been dancing together since they were just little kids, honestly, showing a real passion for it from a very early age. They even put together a dance camp right in their own backyard, in their suburb of Macomb, Michigan, when they were still in elementary school. That sort of early start, that shared history, it pretty much set the stage for their future endeavors, don't you think?
As they grew older, their dreams got bigger, too. They decided to make the move to Los Angeles, a place where many go to chase their professional aspirations in the entertainment world. There, they really started to build their online presence. They had this joint social media account, which they simply called "the Wilking Sisters," and it just took off. They would post their dance routines, and people, you know, loved them. By 2020, they had gathered over 3 million people following their content on TikTok, which is a very impressive number for anyone, especially two young dancers.
They even worked with some well-known individuals on their routines, which certainly helped them get even more eyes on their work. Their joint account was given a "crown verified" status and even received a "talent badge," showing just how much impact they were having. They were, in a way, at the top of their game, creating content that was both fun and, well, pretty much viral. This was their brand, something they had put a lot of heart into, and it was doing incredibly well, or so it seemed.
What Happened to the Wilking Sisters' Shared Journey?
Everything seemed to be going really well for the Wilking sisters, with their popular TikTok channel and growing fame. But then, in 2021, something pretty sudden happened: they just stopped posting together on their joint account. This, you know, caused quite a bit of curiosity and, in some cases, concern among their many followers. It wasn't just a slight pause; it was a definite halt to their shared online activity, which was pretty much their main thing.
The reason for this sudden change, it turns out, was tied to Miranda's involvement with a group called 7M Films. This organization, which also has connections to the Shekinah Church, became a central part of Miranda's life. Her family, and Melanie in particular, began to express serious worries about this group, suggesting that it was, in fact, an alleged cult that was masquerading as a talent management company and a church. This new connection, frankly, seemed to drive a wedge between the sisters, changing their relationship quite a bit.
The situation became so concerning for the Wilking family that they even went live on Instagram, in a very public attempt to get back in touch with Miranda. They claimed she was being deliberately kept from speaking to them, and they were, you know, desperate to reestablish contact. This public plea brought a lot of attention to their private struggles, making it clear that something very serious was going on behind the scenes of their once cheerful online presence. It was a pretty stark moment, showing just how much strain there was.
The Rift - What Pulled the Wilking Sisters Apart?
The bond between Miranda and Melanie, which seemed so strong for so long, began to unravel, and it pretty much came down to Miranda's decision to join 7M Films. This move, according to the family, was the key factor that pulled the sisters apart, despite all the work they had put into building their dance brand together. They had worked with various well-known people on their routines, creating something quite special, but this new affiliation seemed to, you know, sever that connection.
Melanie, along with her parents, Kelly and Dean, became very worried about Miranda's involvement with 7M. They openly stated their belief that Miranda was caught up in a cult, and that this group was keeping her from communicating with her family. This was, as a matter of fact, a really tough time for them, seeing their loved one seemingly drift away due to these outside influences. Melanie has since spoken about how she has tried to heal from this difficult period, acknowledging the pain of becoming estranged from her sister because of these ties.
The whole situation became even more public when Miranda got engaged to another dancer, James Derrick, and then signed on with 7M Films. This seemed to solidify her connection to the group and, in some respects, her separation from her family's concerns. The family's public efforts to reach Miranda, including that Instagram live video, really highlighted the depth of the rift that had formed. It was a very public display of a private family struggle, something that really got people talking.
How Has the Netflix Series Affected the Wilking Sisters?
A big part of the story, and something that brought it to an even wider audience, is the Netflix docuseries called "Dancing for the Devil." This series, you know, largely centers on Miranda Wilking, her journey as a dancer and content creator, and the dramatic split with her sister, Melanie, all due to the influence of what's described as a cult leader. The show really gets into the details of the Wilking sisters' situation, exploring the impact of this group on their lives and their relationship.
Following the release of this series, Melanie Wilking, who is now Melanie Ekeler after marrying NFL star Austin Ekeler, shared her thoughts on Instagram. She and her parents expressed a lot of gratitude for the outpouring of support they received from viewers. It seems that sharing their story, frankly, resonated with many people, and they felt a sense of connection and understanding from the public. This support, you know, probably helped them a bit as they continued to deal with everything.
Interestingly, despite the strained relationship that the series explores, Miranda Wilking did attend Melanie's wedding to Austin Ekeler. This was, in a way, a significant moment, showing perhaps a glimmer of hope for their relationship, even amid the ongoing issues highlighted by the docuseries. It suggests that while things are certainly complicated, there might be, you know, some desire for connection there, regardless of the past difficulties and the public attention on their family matters.
The Wilking Sisters and 7M Films - What's the Connection?
The connection between the Wilking sisters and 7M Films is, you know, pretty much at the core of their story's dramatic turn. 7M Films is described as a controversial religious group, and it's also been called an alleged cult that operates as both a church and a talent management company. Miranda Wilking, at some point, became involved with this group, and her family believes this is what led to her becoming estranged from them.
The docuseries, "Dancing for the Devil," spends a good amount of time looking at the stories of Miranda and Melanie, and how their interactions with the founder of 7M, a person named Shinn, played out. It really tries to show how this group, frankly, influenced Miranda's decisions and her relationship with her family. Melanie and her parents have been very open about their concerns, claiming that 7M is a cult and that Miranda was being kept from them because of her ties to it. This belief, you know, has been a driving force behind their public statements and actions.
This situation highlights a pretty serious issue for the family: the idea that a group they see as a cult could lure away someone they love, effectively dismantling a successful brand that the sisters had lovingly created together. The impact of 7M on Miranda's life, and consequently on her relationship with Melanie and their parents, is a central theme in the discussions surrounding the Wilking sisters' story. It's a very personal and, in some respects, painful aspect of their public narrative.
What's Next for the Wilking Sisters?
After all the public attention and the release of the docuseries, it seems Miranda and Melanie are, you know, following their own individual paths, at least for now. Melanie Wilking, now Melanie Ekeler, has spoken about her healing process after the estrangement from her sister. She's been open about the support she and her parents have received, which, you know, must be a comfort during such a difficult time.
Miranda, on the other hand, continues her association with 7M Films and her life with James Derrick. While there was that moment of her attending Melanie's wedding, which could be seen as a step towards mending things, the core issues raised by her family and the docuseries still seem to be there. It’s hard to say exactly what the future holds for their relationship, or for their individual careers, really. They both still dance and create content, but it's clear their shared past as "the Wilking Sisters" has changed quite a bit.
