From Farm Roads to Phone Screens

We don’t need flashing lights or big-city billboards to spot talent in Idaho. Out here, we’ve got a deep appreciation for anything that feels real. And that’s exactly what Kelley Heyer’s Apple dance was. Just a girl in her room, dancing to a Charli XCX beat, having fun. No overproduction. No fancy lighting. Just that something-something you can’t fake.

You probably saw it—maybe your niece tried it in your living room. Maybe your high schooler posted their version after chores. Maybe you gave it a go after dinner, thinking no one was watching. (Spoiler: someone probably was.)

The dance caught on fast. It was catchy. Happy. Unfiltered. And around here, that kind of joy spreads quickly.

Then Roblox Took It—and Forgot to Ask

Now, here’s where the story takes a turn. Roblox, the massively popular gaming platform, added Kelley’s Apple dance as a purchasable emote in their game Dress to Impress. Players could buy it, use it, and show it off—all without Kelley ever giving the official green light.

Let’s be clear: she did file for copyright on the dance. And yes, there were conversations with Roblox about licensing. But nothing was signed. Nothing was official. And yet—they released it anyway.

By the time it was pulled down a few months later, Roblox had reportedly made about $123,000 from over 60,000 emote sales.

Kelley didn’t get a penny.

So she did what most folks would do when they’ve been wronged. She filed a lawsuit.

We Know What It’s Like to Be Overlooked

Here in Idaho, we’ve got a deep respect for work that comes from the heart. Whether it’s hand-stitched quilts, homegrown vegetables, or a dance shared on social media—we know the effort it takes. And we also know what it feels like when something you put time, heart, and hope into gets taken without your name on it.

Kelley didn’t post that dance to make millions. She posted it because it was hers. Because it meant something. And when it blew up, she didn’t try to cash out right away. She just asked to be treated fairly.

That’s not asking for too much. That’s asking for basic respect.

Let’s Break Down the Facts

Here’s what went down, plain and simple:

• 1 copyrighted dance, filed August 2024
• 60,000+ in-game emote purchases
• $123,000+ earned by Roblox
• 0 signed agreement
• 1 creator left out of the conversation entirely

And sure, Roblox said they “respect intellectual property,” but they didn’t exactly rush to make things right. No apology. No public recognition. No payment.

Just silence.

Out Here, We Still Believe in Giving Credit Where It’s Due

We might live a little slower out here, but that’s because we take time to do things right. If you borrow your neighbor’s tractor, you bring it back. If you share someone’s recipe at the potluck, you tell folks who gave it to you.

And if you use someone’s dance in a billion-dollar game?

You sure as heck make sure they’re okay with it first.

She’s Not Just Standing Up for Herself—She’s Standing Up for All of Us

Kelley’s not trying to become the next big thing. She’s just trying to hold on to something that was hers. And that’s a fight that resonates out here in Idaho, where people still believe in fairness, in honesty, and in giving credit where it’s due.

So if you danced the Apple dance in a muddy backyard or saw your daughter doing it in front of the hay barn—now you know who made that moment possible.

Her name’s Kelley Heyer. And she’s fighting not just to get paid, but to be seen. And honestly, that’s something worth standing behind.