Roblox Sued Over Unauthorized Charli XCX Dance Use

Kelley Heyer, a TikTok content creator who went viral for her choreographed "Apple Dance" to Charli XCX's track "Apple," has filed a lawsuit against Roblox claiming unauthorized commercial use of her signature move.

The "Apple Dance" - an original choreography created by Heyer - became a viral sensation on TikTok, eventually earning recognition from Charli XCX herself during live performances and through official social media channels.

The legal dispute stems from Roblox's inclusion of the dance in a special collaboration between Charli XCX and Dress to Impress, Roblox's popular fashion competition game. According to documents obtained by Polygon, Heyer claims Roblox initially approached her about licensing the dance but proceeded to monetize it before finalizing any agreement.

Heyer maintains she was willing to negotiate licensing terms - having previously secured legitimate deals with Fortnite and Netflix - but never consented to Roblox's commercial use of her choreography.

The lawsuit alleges Roblox illegally profited from selling over 60,000 units of the Apple Dance emote, 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 owned exclusively by Heyer.

The complaint charges Roblox with copyright infringement and unjust enrichment, seeking compensation for lost earnings, brand damage, and legal expenses.

Update 2:15 p.m. PT: Heyer's attorney Miki Anzai provided this statement: "Roblox proceeded with commercial use of Kelley's intellectual property without securing proper authorization. As an independent creator, Kelley deserves fair compensation for her work. After exhausting other options, we were compelled to take legal action. We remain open to settling this matter amicably."