TikTok influencer Kelley Heyer, known for creating the viral “Apple dance” inspired by Charli XCX’s song, has reached a settlement with online gaming platform Roblox over allegations of unauthorized use of her choreography. Heyer’s legal team had claimed Roblox profited $123,000 (£93,000) by selling the dance as an emote—an animation used by players in the game—without proper permission.
According to court documents filed in the United States this week, both parties agreed to dismiss the lawsuit, issuing a joint statement confirming that the dispute was “amicably resolved.” The statement added that both sides wished each other success in their creative endeavors and encouraged others in their artistic pursuits.
The Apple dance became a major TikTok trend during the summer of 2024 and has since been featured in Charli XCX’s live performances. Heyer had previously expressed mixed feelings about the widespread popularity of her choreography—pleased that people were enjoying it but disappointed that major brands and creators used the dance without giving her credit.
Prior to the lawsuit, Heyer was reportedly in discussions with Roblox to license the Apple dance, but her lawyer stated the company used the choreography without a signed agreement. In response, Roblox’s legal team argued that Heyer had not registered copyright for the dance and claimed the company had permission to use it. Roblox said the emote was released as part of a Charli XCX-themed concert event within Dress to Impress, a popular game on the platform, following an agreement to license the dance for $9,000 (£6,700).
Kelley Heyer’s lawyer, Miki Anzai, emphasized that Heyer deserved fair compensation for her work and that taking legal action was a necessary step. Roblox is a major platform with about 80 million daily users and more monthly users than the Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation combined.
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