From TikTok to Trial: The ‘Apple’ Dance Showdown

You know that viral “Apple” dance inspired by Charli XCX’s song? Well, the TikToker who created the choreography, Kelley Heyer, is now suing Roblox — yes, that Roblox — over the use of her moves.

The dance blew up on TikTok, with huge names like Kylie Jenner, actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, and even Charli XCX herself doing it. But here’s the catch: Kelley’s legal team claims Roblox made around $123,000 by selling the “Apple” dance as an “emote” — basically, a celebratory move players can use in the game — without getting her permission.

Roblox says they take intellectual property seriously and they’re confident they did nothing wrong. The platform, which has about 80 million daily users (more than Nintendo Switch and PlayStation combined!), had a deal with Charli XCX to use her music and likeness in an in-game concert. But Kelley says she was in talks with Roblox to license the dance but there was no signed agreement, so they used it anyway.

Her lawyer says Kelley is an independent creator who deserves fair pay, and that’s why they had to file a lawsuit to prove their case — though they’re still open to settling things peacefully.

Kelley had mentioned before how frustrating it is to see big brands and creators cashing in on her dance trend without giving her credit or exposure. Honestly, who wouldn’t be bummed about that?

Roblox’s spokesperson said they’re committed to protecting creators and will defend their actions in court.

So, the story isn’t over yet — but it’s a reminder that viral dance moves aren’t just fun—they’re valuable. And creators want respect and compensation for their work.

Read More Here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgen2l59yy3o