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Behind the Charli XCX-inspired ‘Apple Dance’ controversy on TikTok

Posted on by angelo
Behind the Charli XCX-inspired ‘Apple Dance’ controversy on TikTok

A TikToker thought she was just choreographing a simple Charli XCX dance. She had no idea the drama that was going to be unleashed on social networks.

Photo by Mike Hedge

Mike Hedge

Posted September 26, 2024 at 2:49 p.m. CDT

TikTok dance trends are difficult to predict. Some have their moment, we all laugh, and the dance fades into the fog of internet history. Other routines take on a life of their own, twisting and evolving into something so beautiful and terrible that everyone who touches it is forever affected. I don’t know if the “Apple” dance controversy is quite the last, but it’s close.

History of the Apple Dance

So, here’s the deal. To catch up with you…

In June, TikToker Kelley Heyer created Apple Dance, which is a fast-paced choreography to a section of Charli XCX’s song “Apple” from her album “Brat.”

Heyer’s choreography is honestly well thought out and, as she explains, incorporates many of the song’s feelings into the movements. Take a look:

@kelley.heyer Reply to @POPPYLAUR⚢ It’s very simple! I wanted it to be something cute that people could do to show off an outfit 🙂 #charlixcx #brat ♬ Apple – Charli xcx

From there, like the precious few lucky TikTok people dancing through time, this thing explodes. Everyone does the Apple Dance. (Well, no everyonebut a lot of humans.)

@indiewire #Twisters cast members Anthony Ramos, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell do the Charli XCX “Apple” dance trend. #indiewire ♬ original sound – IndieWire
@nino_ceniza Apple dance with the cast of 911 ❤buck and Eddie ctto😊 #911series #buckandeddie ♬ apple by charliiiii – babyloncowboy 🍉
@atlanticrecords Obsessed with @Charli

After this outburst, Heyer attended the MTV Video Music Awards and, on September 23, performed the “Apple” dance at Charli XCX’s show at Madison Square Garden.

There the following moment happened:

@kelley.heyer Widescreen POV 🍏💚 I love you #sweattour @Charli XCX Video by @themification 🫶 #appledance ♬ original sound – Kelley Heyer

And from the ground:

@lilghstboy The inventor of the apple dance performs at the Sweat Tour at Madison Square Garden #charlixcx #brat #bratsummer #troyesivan #sweattour #nyc #madisonsquaregarden ♬ original sound – sachewy

Yeah, Heyer got “Soybombed” as a random woman totally stole Heyer’s moment by joining her unsolicited for the dance. Create your own extremely viral TikTok dance, lady.

The Apple dance interruption speech is brewing

As you can probably predict, the internet wasn’t interested at all. The number was then given the most precious gift social media can give: speech!

Apple Dance creator pleads for peace

Naturally, in the face of such internet furore, Heyer went ahead and addressed the issue herself. On Tuesday, she took to her TikTok to “nip this in the bud.”

@kelley.heyer

My voice is taken from the concert but I just wanted it to be broadcast!

♬ original sound – Kelley Heyer

Heyer says the switch apologized profusely and “was really excited.” She emphasizes that they’ve been “working on the remix” and that “it’s okay.” Heyer then begs his followers not to attack the young girl. It’s a classy move on his part, but we’ll see if it sticks.

“Let’s tone down the comments a little, shall we? » Wise words. Kudos to Heyer for trying to calm the waters here. However, we can’t help but remember the moment when Hank Ballard had to calm down his fans, who were furious with Chubby Checker for doing the Twist. Dance trends have always been dangerous, y’all.

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