Brooklyn Store Responds to Kelly Clarkson's 'Pretty Woman' Accusation

The Brooklyn store at the center of a social media controversy involving singer Kelly Clarkson has issued a statement, asserting that Clarkson attempted to buy an item that was not for sale. The store, Art of Play, stated that Clarkson visited their Brooklyn location and inquired about purchasing "Molly," a unique automaton bird that is a permanent fixture in the store and not available for purchase.

Clarkson had previously shared her negative experience on social media, comparing the treatment she received from store staff to Julia Roberts' character in the film "Pretty Woman." She alleged that she was looked at "as if I couldn’t afford it" and was told staff could find something comparable for her. Clarkson described the encounter as losing "a huge sale" for the store and recommended her followers visit if they enjoyed being treated similarly to Roberts' character in the movie.

Art of Play responded to the widespread backlash, stating that it has been a "surreal experience" to face such "widespread outrage" based on a single celebrity mention. The store emphasized its commitment to welcoming all customers, regardless of whether they intend to make a purchase or simply browse. They noted that many visitors spend hours exploring their puzzles, games, and toys.

The store acknowledged the impact of Clarkson's comments, particularly the "8 million people who have never visited our store" who reacted to her post. They expressed hope for future reconciliation with Clarkson and concluded their statement by referencing her 2011 song "Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)", suggesting that the experience, while challenging, could ultimately strengthen the business.

This incident follows a pattern of deleted posts from the store that had previously highlighted the "kindness" of its staff, which appeared after Clarkson's initial complaint gained traction.