Charli XCX's Apple Dance Creator Sues Roblox

TikTok influencer Kelley Heyer, creator of the viral "Apple Dance" set to Charli XCX's track "Apple", has filed a lawsuit against Roblox. She alleges the gaming platform used her signature dance move without permission while profiting from its inclusion in their virtual world.

For those unfamiliar with youth culture trends, the "Apple Dance" is precisely what its name suggests - an infectious routine developed by Heyer that went viral on TikTok. The choreography gained such popularity that Charli XCX herself featured it during concerts and shared it on her official TikTok account.

Roblox allegedly incorporated the dance into a collaboration between Charli XCX and Dress to Impress, one of its most popular fashion-themed games. According to legal documents obtained by Polygon, Heyer claims Roblox initially contacted her about licensing the choreography but never finalized an agreement. Notably, Heyer had successfully licensed the dance to Fortnite and Netflix through formal contracts.

The lawsuit contends that Roblox launched the Apple Dance emote as a paid item during the event without securing Heyer's approval. Court filings indicate the emote sold over 60,000 units, generating approximately $123,000 in revenue. Heyer's legal team emphasizes that while the emote appeared in a Charli XCX-themed event, the choreography itself constitutes separate intellectual property unrelated to the song or artist.

The legal action asserts claims of copyright infringement and unjust enrichment, seeking compensation for Roblox's profits, damages for brand harm, plus attorney fees.

Update 2:15 p.m. PT: Heyer's attorney Miki Anzai provided this statement: "Roblox proceeded with using Kelley's intellectual property without executed agreements. As an independent creator, Kelley deserves fair compensation for her work. After exhausting other options, we filed this suit to affirm her rights. We remain prepared to negotiate a reasonable settlement."