Kelley Heyer, the choreographer behind the viral dance to Charli XCX’s track “Apple,” is suing Roblox for allegedly using her routine in a game without her approval. The dance, which gained massive attention on TikTok and even featured at Charli XCX’s concerts and Coachella performances, became available as a purchasable emote on the Roblox game Dress to Impress. Players could buy the move for their avatars, and Heyer’s legal team says the company made around £98,000 (₹1.03 crore) from it.
Heyer claims she was in talks with Roblox to license the dance but that the company used it before anything was formally agreed upon. Now, she’s asking for a share of the profits and damages for what she sees as misuse of her work.
Kelley Heyer, the choreographer behind the viral 'Apple' dance, is taking legal action against Roblox over its unauthorised use of her routinewww.easterneye.biz
While the routine became part of the game, Roblox had already signed a deal with Charli XCX to use her music and image for an in-game concert. But Heyer, as the dance creator, wasn’t included in that deal. She’s previously worked with platforms like Netflix and Fortnite to officially license the same choreography, showing a clear track record of valuing credit and fair pay.
Online, the reaction has been mixed. Some users on TikTok mocked Heyer, questioning why she would sue a game popular with children. But the issue touches on a growing concern among independent creators, especially what happens when their work goes viral and gets picked up by major platforms without proper agreements.
Roblox says it respects intellectual property and believes it hasn’t done anything wrong. But Heyer’s team argues otherwise. They say Roblox not only used the dance without permission but also made money off it while denying the original creator a fair share.
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This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Viral dances from TikTok have often ended up in games or on bigger stages without credit to the original creators. Heyer herself said she’s seen brands ride the trend she started while leaving her name out of it.
For now, the dance has been removed from Roblox, but the legal battle continues. Heyer says she’s still open to settling, but she wants recognition and fair compensation, something many independent artists are fighting for in the digital age.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.