Brooklyn Store Owner Claims Kelly Clarkson Dispute Led to Threats, Doxxing

The co-owner of Brooklyn curiosity shop Art of Play has claimed that singer Kelly Clarkson's public dispute over a mechanical singing bird has put his business in danger, leading to threats and doxxing against him and his supporters. Adam Rubin stated that the viral disagreement has escalated beyond online comments, with individuals associated with the shop facing personal information exposure and harassment.

"We've got incredible support from our neighbors and fans over the past few days, and all of them have been attacked, threatened, doxed," Rubin told Fox News Digital. He accused Clarkson, whose platform he described as immense, of an "abuse of power" that intensified the backlash against his small business.

"You can't just try to squash somebody like a bug and expect everybody to give you a pass," Rubin added, questioning the motivations of people attacking the store who have never visited.

The mechanical bird at the center of the controversy, named Molly, now carries a price tag of $15 million. A sign at the shop describes Molly as "The world's most famous singing bird automata!" This new figure is 1,000 times the original $15,000 price that Clarkson cited in her complaint.

Art of Play previously explained that the initial $15,000 price referred to a similar automaton by artist Bliss Kolb, while Molly is a permanent fixture in the store and not for sale. Rubin described the updated price as a matter of "supply and demand," noting that the bird's notoriety has increased significantly since Clarkson's visit.

The dispute began when Clarkson visited the Brooklyn shop and later posted on social media that she felt she was treated as if she could not afford the merchandise, comparing the experience to Julia Roberts' character in "Pretty Woman." She claimed she pointed to a $15,000 bird and was told by an employee that they could find something comparable for her, which she interpreted as rudeness and an assumption of her inability to pay.

Art of Play countered that the encounter was a misunderstanding, stating that Molly is a permanent display and that employees had offered Clarkson the opportunity to purchase a similar bird from its creator. The business also noted that a different singing bird automaton was available for approximately $2,000.

Rubin, who recently underwent a medical procedure to remove cancer from his face, expressed that his concern for the shop's safety was the reason he was working despite his recovery. He emphasized that Art of Play is a "curiosity shop" filled with objects designed to inspire wonder, aiming to make customers "feel like a kid again."

The business, which began online and operated a small location in San Diego, opened its Brooklyn shop approximately two years ago. The store also features a small theater for magic performances, with Molly often serving as an opening act. Rubin stated that despite the public disagreement, Clarkson would still be welcome back at Art of Play.