The pastor of the church, now described as a religious cult that controls TikTok stars, was photographed for the first time since the explosive claims.
Robert E. Shinn is the founder of 7M Film Company and pastor of the Shekinah Church in California. He gained new notoriety after the family of one of his biggest TikTok stars Miranda Derrick claimed he was holding her against her will in a religious cult.
It is believed that Miranda and her husband James live together in Los Angeles, although where exactly is still unclear.
They spend most of their time at the 7M mansion along with the group’s other dancers filming TikTok content for Shinn and his son Isaiah, who works as a director.
Last month, Miranda’s family posted a tearful Instagram video online saying they hadn’t heard from her since January 2021. They claimed that Shinn and her husband had brainwashed her along with other 7M dancers and that her life was in danger.
Miranda has since released a video insisting that she is safe, doing well and being part of 7M of her own free will. She said that she was not part of any cult and that she simply didn’t want to have a relationship with her family.
Robert E. Shinn is the founder of 7M Film Company and pastor of the Shekinah Church in California. He gained new notoriety after the family of one of his biggest TikTok stars Miranda Derrick claimed he was holding her against her will in a religious cult.
Miranda and James Derrick insist that they are not in a cult and simply do not want to talk to her family. Miranda’s family posted this tearful video to Instagram in February claiming she was brainwashed.
However, previous claims against Shinn and the Shekinah International Church raise questions about its history.
Former parishioner Lydia Chung sued him in 2009, alleging that he brainwashed her and extorted $4 million from her.
“It’s a cult. It totally ruins people. You have heard of people who have gone to Vietnam – going through such trauma, many people are unable to function as normal people – this is what he does.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone who goes to real churches,” she told The Daily Beast last week.
A spokesperson for 7M and Shinn told on Monday: “The false and sensational claims about 7M stem directly from a dispute between dancer Miranda Derrick, who is represented by 7M, and her estranged family.
“Despite her family’s claims, Miranda is a successful business woman, a loving wife and daughter who cares deeply about her family.
“It is pathetic and despicable to try to turn her personal family affairs into a tasteless public scandal over clicks and influence.
“While the recent portrayals of Dr. Robert Shinn and 7M Films have been wildly offensive and rife with inaccuracies, these false claims will not stop 7M from supporting Miranda in whatever endeavors she chooses to continue.”
Shinn has been sued in the past by former church members who say he swindled them out of millions of dollars by brainwashing them.
Shinn was in high spirits as he left the restaurant with the unknown woman and her friends. He did not comment on the scandal
Shinn leaves Joey, an upscale restaurant in Los Angeles, with three unidentified women on March 15.
Robert Shinn is pictured in Los Angeles on Saturday around the time he was accused of running the cult.
Shinn is depicted with an unidentified woman. He went to an expensive lunch at Joey’s in Woodland Hills.
This is believed to be the house where Shinn lives with his family. This is not the house where the creators of 7M shoot their videos.
Headquarters of Shekinah International Church in Tujunga, California. The church has already been accused of brainwashing people
Isaiah Shinn, son of a pastor who also works as a director at 7M Films.
Isaiah Shinn leaves work in a black BMW. He continues to post on social media despite the scandal.
Miranda and her husband (left and right) dance alone in the video. Her family says she was forced to cut her hair short and dye her hair blonde.
Miranda rose to fame on TikTok along with her sister Melanie (left). Now the 25-year-old is married to James Derrick and no longer speaks to her family.
On Sunday, Miranda and her husband urged followers to ask them questions just to “feel good” on Instagram.
It is also known that Shin goes by the name Israel Shinn. He lives in a $2 million home with his son in Hollywood.
In their video, Miranda’s family claimed that the change in her behavior began in 2021 after she joined 7M and that she did not attend her grandfather’s funeral.
“This has been haunting us for over a year now. It was definitely the hardest year of my life,” said her 23-year-old sister, Melanie.
The couple rose to fame filming dance videos together during the COVID-19 lockdown. Their parents often joined them in clips.
James’ friends also say that his behavior has changed due to his participation in the Shekinah.
He insisted that 7M was not religious and that he and the other dancers were part of a “secular commercial organization” run by people who “believed in God”.
He also claims that Miranda’s family does not like him because he is “a poor black man from Compton”.