Roblox Sued Over Charli XCX Apple Dance Emote — TikTok Creator Demands Payout
TikTok creator Kelley Heyer has officially filed a lawsuit against Roblox, claiming the platform used her choreography without permission, and made serious money off of it.
From TikTok to Roblox
The emote in question is based on Heyer’s original choreography to Charli XCX’s song Apple. Heyer says she created the dance and had even reached out to Roblox’s developers in August 2024 to discuss licensing the choreography. But instead of finalizing a deal, the emote dropped just days later in the popular Roblox game Dress to Impress, without any signed agreement.
60,000+ Sales, $123K Revenue – But No Credit
According to the lawsuit, the emote was added as part of the Brat Summer update on August 17, 2024, and remained available until November. In that time, it reportedly sold over 60,000 copies, generating around $123,000 in revenue – none of which went to Heyer. Now, she’s demanding not only the full earnings from the emote, but also additional damages for the unauthorized use of her choreography.
Fortnite Did It Right – Why Didn’t Roblox?
The TikTok creator claims she’s the sole creator of the Apple Dance, unrelated to Charli XCX or her team. And here’s the twist: she previously licensed the same dance to both Fortnite and Netflix, who properly compensated her for its use. Roblox, on the other hand, allegedly moved forward without finalizing any licensing terms, which she says violates her rights as a choreographer.
Roblox Responds
In a statement, a Roblox spokesperson said the company takes intellectual property rights seriously and is ready to resolve the issue in court. No further comment was made about the specifics of the emote or how it was added without a contract.
This case is part of a growing conversation about the value of creative work in online spaces – especially dances, which are often spread, copied, and monetized without credit. If Heyer wins, it could set a precedent for how platforms like Roblox handle creator collaborations in the future.
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