1 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:08,520 Speaker 1: I kept like envisioning the life I want it like 2 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 1: I want a loving family, I want kids, I want 3 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: an amazing job. And fifteen years later I can confidently 4 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 1: say I have all that. 5 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:17,319 Speaker 2: Yeah. 6 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 1: No, thanks to Robert. 7 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 3: Welcome back to forgive me for I have followed. I'm 8 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,319 Speaker 3: Jess Cosavetto, executive producer of the Netflix series Dancing for 9 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 3: the Devil The Seven M TikTok Cult. This documentary explored 10 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 3: the story of Robert Shin, the La based Cha Kinda 11 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 3: Church in seven M Films. Shin founded Chakina Church over 12 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 3: two decades ago before establishing seven M and is named 13 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 3: in a civil lawsuit alleging abuse and cult like behavior. 14 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:49,000 Speaker 2: And I'm Kalia Gray, former member of Chakina Church and 15 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 2: seven M Films. 16 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:52,680 Speaker 3: In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Lee, a 17 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 3: key figure from Dancing for the Devil the Seven M 18 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 3: TikTok Cult documentary, but with a special twist. This time, 19 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 3: Kevin X seven M member at Kaliah's husband is co hosting. 20 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 3: They reminisce about the last time they saw each other, 21 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 3: and Melanie offers her perspective on gaining independence, rebuilding, and 22 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 3: finding healing. They also talk about community members they've crossed 23 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 3: paths with and catch up on where they are now. 24 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:21,759 Speaker 3: Melanie shares her experience of watching others leave after her, 25 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 3: how she's navigated her relationship with faith and what it 26 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 3: means to move forward. And now our conversation with Melanie 27 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 3: Lee Khalia and Kevin. 28 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 2: Hi. Everybody, welcome to forgive me for I have followed. 29 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 2: I'm here. I brought my husband Kevin to work today 30 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:44,399 Speaker 2: and we are here with Melanie Lee. 31 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 1: Hi. 32 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 2: Welcome to the podcast. Welcome back, Welcome back to Kevin, 33 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 2: Welcome to the podcast. For you, we just wanted to 34 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 2: get everyone here. It's been a while since we've last 35 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 2: seen you and just doing a little bit of catching 36 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 2: up since the documentary is aired and you know where 37 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 2: we are, I guess now since everything's come out. 38 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, thanks for having me and it's always a pleasure 39 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:08,959 Speaker 1: to see you both. I don't know when when was 40 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 1: the last time we saw each other. 41 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 2: Two years ago, because I think it was when everything 42 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 2: was still fresh. I think we had talked a little 43 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 2: bit before we came on, but I think everything was 44 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:19,919 Speaker 2: just so brand new at the time, and like trying 45 00:02:19,919 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 2: to navigate like a life in a community that we 46 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:25,639 Speaker 2: were part of before, like after having everything crashed down 47 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:27,400 Speaker 2: and come out and like get our footing as far 48 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 2: as Okay, well what do we want to do now? 49 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:30,920 Speaker 2: Where do we want to go? Like what do I 50 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 2: want to associate and align myself with after being so 51 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 2: like I guess just had it having the wool pulled 52 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 2: over my eyes for so long. So it's definitely been 53 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 2: a journey for me. It's been a journey for us 54 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 2: two together coming out and like just seeing you know, 55 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 2: the whole new world that feels almost that's out there, 56 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 2: and like what we can do and can accomplish. 57 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, have things been for you? I mean good? I 58 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 1: think just the timing of the documentary coming out. I 59 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: had so much going on, like I had another baby, 60 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,320 Speaker 1: and it's different place for me because like I met 61 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,240 Speaker 1: you guys, and you guys had just left, but I 62 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: had left like years before. So now looking back, I 63 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 1: remember seeing you guys whenever like two years ago or whatever, 64 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 1: and then you guys looked like the wounds were so 65 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: fresh still And now looking you guys, now, you guys 66 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 1: are thriving. I mean, look what you've done in two years. 67 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 1: You know, I always had thought because we had been 68 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: through an experience like that. I feel like kind of 69 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 1: like God he lets us like shine and blossom and 70 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 1: like great things happened to us afterwards, and that was 71 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 1: like God's way of saying like I got you, you know, 72 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: because you've been through this terrible thing. Or maybe it's 73 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 1: also like our perspective, but I'm like living my best 74 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 1: life and so are you guys. 75 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, the haze is cleared a little bit, but I 76 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 2: do it felt for a while like I was dazed, 77 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: like I was just like like what, like what is 78 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 2: going on? Like a little frozen, a little like I'm 79 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 2: not sure like where to go from here? What happens 80 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaker 2: from here? You know, And especially feeling like things have 81 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 2: been so widespread, like things have been widespread on the 82 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 2: internet and then you know, eventually to be like a 83 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 2: Netflix documentary to come out. It was very much like 84 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 2: this feels so public was another thing that I think 85 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 2: I had to like deal with and distinguish. And you 86 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:19,840 Speaker 2: had asked, like before we started recording, what the healing 87 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:22,040 Speaker 2: process is like for us like right now? And I 88 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 2: do feel like it does come in ways, like Kevin 89 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 2: was mentioning, like some days I wake up and like, 90 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 2: oh I don't even feel like anything had happened. Other days, 91 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 2: I think it hits a little harder, especially because you 92 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:35,240 Speaker 2: know Chicaina and you know seven M is still technically 93 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 2: like operating to this day. And so Kevin and I 94 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 2: are getting like news from dancers of like a potential 95 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 2: like restarting of a talent agency going on over there 96 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:45,279 Speaker 2: in this church. 97 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:49,160 Speaker 4: What, Yeah, who's gonna join? 98 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,359 Speaker 2: There's our dancers that are still a part of the 99 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 2: organizations that have their own type of influence within their communities. 100 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: And these people in not watch the document, And that's the. 101 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 2: Question, right, It's like there's a lot of information out 102 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:04,720 Speaker 2: there about how this is. 103 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: A dangerous group. 104 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 2: So on the one hand, it's like did you watch 105 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 2: it or do you just not care? And then it 106 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 2: starts to get into the like for some people, is 107 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 2: it that the opportunity is worth more than the risk? 108 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:18,280 Speaker 2: Because I have those same questions, like you saw the doc, right, 109 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 2: why do you still want to go and have a 110 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:24,320 Speaker 2: dance session with these people or join a new talent 111 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 2: agency that's promising you jobs or training or whatever it 112 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 2: may be. 113 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 4: Yeah, this is when I learned you could just show 114 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 4: people to the water. You can't make them drink it exactly, 115 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 4: and there's people that have seen it that are actually 116 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:40,120 Speaker 4: over there, which is like, well, you know, you may 117 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 4: have to find out your own way. 118 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,600 Speaker 1: If their information is out there, and if you're choosing 119 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: not to receive it, then like you're taking your own risk. Yeah, 120 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: And that's a conversation I've always like wondered, like at 121 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 1: what point are you a victim? And then at what 122 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,160 Speaker 1: point are you the abuser? 123 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 4: Right, it's when you understand it. It's when you know 124 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 4: what's going on, you choose to follow it. Now you're 125 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 4: an abuser, yeah, Like, no matter what you know. And 126 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 4: this whole situation is let me know, to start leaning 127 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 4: towards face value, Like at this point if you know 128 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 4: and you're going, I'm sorry, I can't even associate with 129 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 4: you because you actually know. Now I had to break 130 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:23,919 Speaker 4: off friendships with people that's there that showed me face value. 131 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: Dang. 132 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 4: So now the random dancers, it's like, ah, man, I 133 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 4: don't know how to tell you. 134 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 2: For me, it's like, on the one hand, I feel 135 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 2: like I've done my due diligence and like telling my story, 136 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 2: putting it out there, I shouldn't feel like any more 137 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 2: responsibility towards like this group of people. But at the 138 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 2: same time, and I've had conversations with people who've decided like, well, 139 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:43,919 Speaker 2: I know the risk, but I'm not being harmed, so 140 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 2: I'm going to stay over there. For me, it's like 141 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:47,919 Speaker 2: what I have said to them, and I would like 142 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 2: to say again is just like, but you are also 143 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: leaving the door open for other people to come in 144 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 2: and be harmed after knowing this. So it's like I'm 145 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 2: still working on being able to draw that line as 146 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 2: far as like warning the community, telling them my experience, 147 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:03,120 Speaker 2: being like this is what I experienced, is also what 148 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: all of these other people who have gone through this 149 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 2: specific church and other high control groups like it, all 150 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:12,400 Speaker 2: the same story, same experiences. The red flags are there, 151 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 2: But I don't know. It's just like I said, feeling 152 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 2: that responsibility towards the community to be like, hey, even 153 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 2: if it's not you being harmed, other people are being harmed. 154 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 2: So it's like wanting to just not make allowances for 155 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 2: that in the community. But at the same time, like 156 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 2: I have to learn the responsibility doesn't follow me, Like 157 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 2: I can't be just I don't know the one to 158 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 2: like you said, make the horse drink. 159 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, like that's not my job. 160 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 3: After the break, we continue part one with our conversation 161 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 3: with Melanie. This is forgive me for I have followed. 162 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 3: We'll be right back. Welcome back to forgive me for 163 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 3: I have followed. Now back to part one of our 164 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 3: conversation with Melanie Lee. 165 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 1: Do you guys run into the seven M dancers? I 166 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 1: get events or gigs? 167 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 2: So funny before we left, when we lived north Ridge, 168 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 2: Kevin actually ran into Robert at twenty see. 169 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 4: You I've seen Elias and me and my brother saw Robert. 170 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 4: We just walked past him, you know what I mean. 171 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 4: I gave him a mug, but it was just like, 172 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 4: Elias is here, so I want to say, you know 173 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 4: what I mean? And Chez I seen him at a 174 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 4: dance event. We all knew that energy. I just kept distant. 175 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 1: You know. 176 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 4: I even supported him in his battle because that whole 177 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 4: room was just against him. And even though I was, 178 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 4: you know, we have whatever that was, whatever it is 179 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 4: right now, I put it to the side. And you know, 180 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 4: I just was like, bro, come on, man, you're representing 181 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 4: Crump right now. We're the laughing stock of the styles 182 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 4: right now. So let's just you know, I'm still behind him, 183 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 4: you know, And I could tell. I mean, you know, 184 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:54,200 Speaker 4: he would get away from you, bro, and I'm like, 185 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 4: that's fine, but you're losing, bro. 186 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, So maybe he shouldn't be ripping. 187 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:05,839 Speaker 4: I like Crump now because the movement is ripping. It's 188 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 4: not just one dancer now, So Crump is now the 189 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 4: gears are turning to provide opportunities for the younger generation. 190 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: So I talked about this with someone else recently, and 191 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 1: Robert had always, from what I remember, been obsessed with 192 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,840 Speaker 1: black people. And like even when I was there, we 193 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:30,199 Speaker 1: had this sister and brother Joy and Peace Montgomery. They 194 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: were half black, half Korean, and they made them like, oh, 195 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 1: they're like the coolest people in the church. But I 196 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 1: think it stems from like him growing up, like he 197 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,520 Speaker 1: wasn't a cool kid, and maybe he was bullied. And 198 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 1: then now that he thinks he has some power, and 199 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:50,960 Speaker 1: he was like, let me get a bunch of black 200 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 1: people in my church and make it a black church 201 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,439 Speaker 1: and try to do like that whole like black gospel music. 202 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: But it's a joke, you know, it's a joke. And 203 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: then I think when you guys rolled in, he was 204 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 1: just like, oh yeah, like if I walk around and 205 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:11,079 Speaker 1: I have all these talented dancers around me, it's gonna 206 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:14,320 Speaker 1: give me like credibility. He has like no business in 207 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 1: getting into crump Like that's not you, Like what are 208 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 1: you trying to do? 209 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 2: Right? And it's interesting to think about because he had 210 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 2: been interested in it for years, right because I remember 211 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 2: hearing about how like Daniel was at. 212 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 1: A crump I went to, he sent me to a 213 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: crump event. Really, what am I doing here? I mean 214 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:34,880 Speaker 1: it's great, it's lovely. I'm not a dancer, you know, 215 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: Like I don't understand. Yeah, but I don't know what 216 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 1: he thinks trying to get in with him. 217 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I think if you hit the nail 218 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 2: on the head with it gives him some sort of 219 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:47,480 Speaker 2: street cred or feeling like the cool kid, because I 220 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,560 Speaker 2: do remember a lot of his sermons, him coming on 221 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 2: and being very rare. 222 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: Have you seen this man try to dance? Yes, it's 223 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 1: like my eyes will start bleeding. 224 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'll go to the bathroom. 225 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 1: Like I can't and we have to watch this like 226 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: like can I throw up? 227 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 2: And he like the way he asked for hype to 228 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:07,559 Speaker 2: when he's on the pulpit. 229 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 4: It was the amount of nothingness we would talk about. 230 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 4: I'm here for church and we're talking about people. I'm like, 231 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 4: with all the respects, sir, I'm trying to get in 232 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:22,280 Speaker 4: an ecclesiastis. But we're talking about CNN's and I paid 233 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:25,960 Speaker 4: for my news and I'm like, bro, it's been three 234 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:30,080 Speaker 4: hours and we're talking about brand deals. You know, yesterday 235 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:31,920 Speaker 4: I had a breakdown. I'm trying to see how to 236 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:34,600 Speaker 4: fix that. Like, but that was weird. 237 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 1: Does he still do that thing when he goes on 238 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:40,280 Speaker 1: stage he starts like dancing and like raising their roof. 239 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:41,760 Speaker 1: Oh he was doing that. 240 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, he was definitely doing that. 241 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 1: It's so gross. For people who don't know Robert, he's 242 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 1: like the shortest, dumpiest Asian guy and he'll start jiggling 243 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:55,480 Speaker 1: everything on stage. It is the worst thing ever. And 244 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: like we're just like, you know, for people who are 245 00:11:57,640 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 1: there who truly want to get close to God, We're 246 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: just like, why do we have to watch this? This 247 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: tru though. 248 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:06,959 Speaker 3: When we return the conclusion to part one of our 249 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 3: conversation with Melanie Lee, this is forgive me for I 250 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 3: have followed. Welcome back. Here's the conclusion of part one 251 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 3: of our conversation with Melanie. 252 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:24,319 Speaker 2: Lee, I want to ask, like, what has your relationship 253 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 2: been with like spirituality and religion now that you're fifteen 254 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 2: years out of the church. 255 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: So I remember when I was getting thoughts about leaving. 256 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,200 Speaker 1: It's an internal struggle, as you know, like you're thinking, 257 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: am I wrong? Am I right? And one day you 258 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: wake up and you're going, I'm leaving, And the next 259 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 1: day you wake up like, no, I'm going to stay. 260 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 1: I remember asking God, if you want me to leave, 261 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 1: give me some signs. And it was really interesting that day. 262 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:57,080 Speaker 1: The house captain, you know how everybody has a house captain, 263 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 1: came to me and gave me boxes that you need 264 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 1: to pack up you're going to move to a different house. 265 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 1: And I go, oh, so I don't have to like 266 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: sneak out, like I could just use this boxes and move. 267 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:12,800 Speaker 1: And then, you know, at the time, I don't know 268 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: if they still do this, but they did all your 269 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:17,319 Speaker 1: tax returns, Like you don't get to choose your accountant, 270 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:20,959 Speaker 1: you have to use like their accountant. And Chrissy Keller 271 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:24,320 Speaker 1: was the in house accountant and she was doing my 272 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: taxes and I wanted to at least have my taxes 273 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 1: on hand before I left, because they're like important documents. 274 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: She came up to me and just gave me my documents. 275 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:38,360 Speaker 1: She goes, here's your documents, like I filed your taxes 276 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: for you, like little things like that. And then so 277 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: I said, okay, I think this is like a sign 278 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:46,680 Speaker 1: and you just like have confirmation in your heart are 279 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 1: going to leave. So I left. And then you know, 280 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 1: Robert and Hannah like controlled your bank account, Like I 281 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:54,720 Speaker 1: don't know they did this, couldn't they control my bank account? 282 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:58,480 Speaker 1: And just that month they had put six thousand dollars 283 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:01,080 Speaker 1: in it because they were going to pay taxes for me, 284 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 1: and so that money will set aside to pay my taxes. 285 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: Because basically I worked for Robert. They didn't pay me 286 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,760 Speaker 1: a salary, but they were pretending to pay me a 287 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:12,480 Speaker 1: salary and then they would take my salary back. So 288 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 1: physically I never received a money, but on paper they 289 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 1: were registering that they paid me. So now they have 290 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 1: to pay taxes. And when I left, I had a 291 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 1: bank account, but I never was allowed to touch it. 292 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,600 Speaker 1: So I went to Wells Fargo and I said, can 293 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 1: I cash out my six thousand and they're like sure, 294 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 1: they gave me six thousand dollars in cash, and I 295 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 1: was like, oh, I am leaving. Yeah, I am winning. 296 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: I am leaving. This is a sign. So I left Chicina. 297 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: Of course I didn't have any clothes and any of that. 298 00:14:42,760 --> 00:14:45,680 Speaker 1: I had my six thousand dollars, my tax returns and 299 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 1: a friend who lent me his beat up car that 300 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 1: was a stick shift and I didn't know how to 301 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: drive a stick shift. You guys. I was like in 302 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 1: the road like la, like in la. Okay. So I 303 00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: was like apartment hunting, and I have to tell without 304 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,360 Speaker 1: going into details, the way I got my apartment, the 305 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: way I got my first job, the way I was 306 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 1: able to find support. It all kind of landed on 307 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 1: my lap like and it was also like, okay, I 308 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 1: made the right decision, and I said, nobody has to 309 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 1: look out for me, because I know God is. Like 310 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 1: my apartment came to me. It was a nice apartment, 311 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,240 Speaker 1: but they gave me a discount because I ran into somebody, 312 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: and you like it, just all things happen that you 313 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:28,080 Speaker 1: can't make up and the stars align. And then I 314 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:30,240 Speaker 1: worked for this guy. I got a drop off of Craiglist. 315 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 1: I became an assistant for this guy, and then I 316 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 1: told him that my beat up stick shift car is 317 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 1: not going to work. And he's like, I have a 318 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 1: friend that works at a Toyota dealership because I didn't 319 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 1: have credit at the time because they control your credit too, 320 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: So he's like, I'll get you like a really good deal. 321 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 1: Like it's just like just things just happen. And then 322 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: every time that happens, you just gain more confidence that 323 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 1: you can move forward and that God will have your 324 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: back and you don't have to, like, you know, feel 325 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:01,120 Speaker 1: bad that I left Chicai or that I did something wrong, 326 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:03,720 Speaker 1: because I didn't do something wrong, you know. And now 327 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 1: it's like, Okay, now I'm gonna live the life I 328 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: was meant to live, you know. And I even like 329 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: sued Robert like for wage claim. And I was only 330 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: able to do that because the office that I worked 331 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 1: at as an assistant, like the next Cubic go over 332 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:22,400 Speaker 1: was an attorney, you know. And so it's like and 333 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: then she was telling me, like, okay, you know, why 334 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 1: don't you just there's this department called labor in the 335 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 1: Labor Commissioner. You can follow complain. You don't need an 336 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: attorney and you have all the proof, and I did 337 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 1: and I won, you know, And so I remember when 338 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 1: I won that that was the beginning of my closure 339 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: because I was like, oh, I beat him, Like I 340 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 1: beat him. He is not the man of God, Like 341 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:47,560 Speaker 1: he's not who he says he is, Like I beat him, 342 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: he's a scam artist, you know. And from there I 343 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,480 Speaker 1: just kept going and going and going, and then I 344 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 1: kept like envisioning the life I wanted, like I want 345 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,480 Speaker 1: a loving family, I want kids, like I want an 346 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 1: amazing job. And fifteen years later, I can confidently say 347 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 1: I have all that. No thanks to Robert, right, he 348 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: had nothing to do with that, you know. And so 349 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:12,680 Speaker 1: that's why I like whenever I talked to my sister 350 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:15,760 Speaker 1: a lot, obviously, and you know, it's like, I'm actually 351 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:18,479 Speaker 1: really excited for her how she's going to end up 352 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:21,920 Speaker 1: ten years from now, because stuff like this only makes 353 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 1: you more resilient, stronger, you know, you make better decisions. 354 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 1: Hopefully well not everybody, but hopefully. 355 00:17:29,640 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 2: Hopefully you come out stronger better than you will before, learn. 356 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 1: From your mistakes. Yeah. Absolutely, that's dope. 357 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 4: It gives me a comfort you know, of how many 358 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 4: people reached out. One of my good friends He told 359 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 4: me he was in a situation where it definitely was 360 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 4: a cult, but it was about money for sure, and 361 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:50,800 Speaker 4: he just wasted so much bread. 362 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 1: All cults are bou money. Yeah, yeah, bread. 363 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 4: He said, both yeah, And he said, man, I had 364 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:00,639 Speaker 4: to realize what I was in. He said, man, I 365 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 4: hope you never, you know, get into that again. And 366 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,240 Speaker 4: he said, you know, I hope you, you know, learn 367 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 4: from situations to pick up those signs, bro, because it's 368 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:10,119 Speaker 4: a crazy world. 369 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:12,800 Speaker 1: And but that was some comfort, even. 370 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:15,160 Speaker 2: Like close friends who are part of like really popular 371 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 2: like dance groups or dance troops that have reached out 372 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 2: to you to say, hey, I think this group has 373 00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 2: very similar high control tactics. I watched the documentary, I 374 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 2: listened to your story, and I decided I needed to 375 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 2: get out of this dance group. And that was a 376 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 2: big for me. It was really shocking of like really 377 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,679 Speaker 2: like wow, like this really has impacted lives of people 378 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 2: who have seen it and been able to recognize like, 379 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:38,879 Speaker 2: oh now I see those red flags. 380 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: You know, I think that we're cult, Like it was 381 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 1: tied to religion, but I feel like the modern take 382 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 1: is is bigger than that, you know, like if you're 383 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 1: in a marriage, and that's not just like I'm saying, 384 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: the men's abusive one like a woman can be like 385 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: if like the other partner is not willing to share 386 00:18:56,680 --> 00:19:01,679 Speaker 1: the finance information or make joint decision or have you know, 387 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,439 Speaker 1: equals say, well, that's kind of culty. 388 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 3: You know. 389 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 1: We're like, oh, you have to get permission from your 390 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 1: spouse to see your friends. That's culty. Oh you can't 391 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,920 Speaker 1: wear that, Like what are you wearing? That's all signs 392 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 1: of like control and keeping you small so you can't 393 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,480 Speaker 1: grow and bloom and be the best version of yourself. 394 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 1: It could be in a marriage, it could be in 395 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 1: a boyfriend girlfriend situation. It could be in a work setting, 396 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,840 Speaker 1: like I remember I worked for a company that I 397 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:29,639 Speaker 1: thought was pretty culty. Like I didn't show up to 398 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 1: happy hour and then the next day I got flagged. 399 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: It's all these little things, all these little things. Or 400 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:39,199 Speaker 1: like your boss makes a move on you and you 401 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 1: don't know what to do and then you get fired. 402 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: That's culty, you know, that's all. It's all culty. So 403 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 1: I'm like so glad that people are. If you're brave 404 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 1: enough to speak up, that's the first step, like reaching 405 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 1: out to Kevin and saying, hey, Kevin, like I went 406 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:56,520 Speaker 1: through what you went through, you know, and that's the 407 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 1: first step of like okay, moving on like and straining 408 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 1: then showing you know something about us. So that to me, 409 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 1: I'm like loving it that people in your world are 410 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: like reaching out to you and saying that that's like 411 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:09,400 Speaker 1: you did what you did. 412 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, And I don't even have to like say anything, 413 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:16,639 Speaker 4: it's just them seeing it, you know. And always shoot 414 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:18,640 Speaker 4: them to Kalia because I'm like, if you really want 415 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:21,040 Speaker 4: to talk, you know, this is where a place where 416 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:24,200 Speaker 4: this is not given info. It's really healing, you know 417 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 4: what I mean. And it's still going on to this day. 418 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 4: Like two weeks ago somebody said, bro, I think I'm 419 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:31,760 Speaker 4: going through that right now and get out. 420 00:20:32,119 --> 00:20:37,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, when can we pick you up? We'll bring a bat. Yeah. 421 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 4: So yeah, So it's you know, it's a good reminder. 422 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:42,560 Speaker 2: Like this is why we sat down and did the 423 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 2: documentary in the first place, was to make sure other 424 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:48,199 Speaker 2: like people could see the same things that like what 425 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 2: we had gone through, recognized the signs, see the red flags, 426 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,200 Speaker 2: or even like draw the relationship to something that they 427 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 2: may be going through in their life. 428 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:56,359 Speaker 1: That the situation they should get out of. 429 00:20:56,520 --> 00:20:56,760 Speaker 2: Yep. 430 00:20:57,080 --> 00:21:00,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, this is a PSA. If you feel like you're situation, 431 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:06,199 Speaker 1: call Kevin and Khalia organ is. 432 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 2: We have to start a nonprofit. 433 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 1: Now in the middle of the night, they'll come and 434 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:16,000 Speaker 1: show up. Get you, get your stuff. Come on, you're 435 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:16,400 Speaker 1: on live. 436 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 2: You're on live. 437 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:18,680 Speaker 4: You're good. 438 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 1: Yeah. 439 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 3: Many thanks to Kevin for participating in such a powerful conversation. 440 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:32,800 Speaker 3: It was so moving and beautiful to see the three 441 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 3: of them all in the same room. And next week 442 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 3: we have more from Melanie. See you then. This is 443 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 3: Forgive Me For I Have Followed. 444 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 2: Forgive Me For I Have Followed is a production from 445 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 2: wv Sound, Dirty Robert and iHeartMedia's Michael to podcast Network, 446 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 2: hosted by me Khalia Gray and me Jess Cossabetto. Forgive 447 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:53,640 Speaker 2: Me For I Have Followed is produced by Aaron Burlson 448 00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:55,320 Speaker 2: and Sophie Spencer Zavos. 449 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:59,760 Speaker 3: Our executive producers are Khalia Gray, Myself, Warmer Balderama, Leo Klem, 450 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 3: Aaron Burlison at wv Sound. 451 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:05,640 Speaker 2: This episode was edited by Sean Tracy and features original 452 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 2: music by Madison Davenport and Halo Boy. For more podcasts 453 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:13,160 Speaker 2: from iHeart, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever 454 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:14,639 Speaker 2: you listen to your favorite shows. 455 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 3: See you next week, See 456 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 1: You next week,