Kelly Clarkson and Brooklyn Boutique Trade Barbs Over Singing Bird Dispute
A public disagreement erupted on social media after the singer claimed she was treated poorly at Art of Play, which countered that the item in question was not for sale.
Singer Kelly Clarkson and a Brooklyn boutique, Art of Play, are engaged in a public dispute over an incident involving a singing bird automaton. The disagreement, which began on social media, has garnered significant attention, with Clarkson's initial post about her experience viewed by over 40 million people.
Clarkson, who relocated to New York in 2024, stated on Saturday that a staff member at the Art of Play store treated her as if she could not afford their merchandise. She recounted that upon visiting the store with the intention of making purchases, she was met with what she perceived as condescending treatment, leading her to compare the situation to a scene from the 1990 film "Pretty Woman."
"Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn't afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me," Clarkson wrote in a social media post, adding, "Wow, dude. You're an idiot and just lost a huge sale."
Her subsequent posts encouraged followers to visit the store if they enjoyed being treated like Julia Roberts' character in "Pretty Woman," a sentiment that led to an influx of supportive comments from fans and criticism directed at the store's social media accounts. The store subsequently experienced a drop in its online ratings, with numerous one-star reviews on Google impacting its average score.
Art of Play responded on Sunday via Instagram, disputing Clarkson's account. The store explained that she had inquired about "Molly," a unique singing and dancing bird automaton used in magic shows hosted at the back of their establishment. According to the boutique, Molly is permanently attached to the wall and is not for sale.
"Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn't for sale. However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop," the store stated. They expressed surprise at the widespread outrage, noting the business had been attacked by millions who had never visited.
Following the store's statement, social media users pointed to a photograph that appeared to show a price tag of $15,000 next to the bird. This led Clarkson to double down on her claims, asserting that the store was "lying." She shared the image of the price tag and recounted a conversation where a staff member allegedly offered to find something comparable for $15,000, describing the staffer as "rude" and a "liar."
"So the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale whilst pointing to the price tag hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn't happen as you elevator eyed me saying in a condescending tone, 'Yes, it's for sale but it costs 15,000 dollars so if you'd like me to find something comparable for you I can'. That all never happened," Clarkson wrote, sharing what she identified as the price tag. "OK cool, so you're not only rude, you're also a liar. Got it."
Art of Play issued another Instagram post on Sunday night to further clarify its position. The store reiterated that Molly serves as a mascot and is not for sale. They added that a nearly identical automaton, owned by the creator Bliss Kolb, could be acquired for $15,000. The store also mentioned that Clarkson was offered a different singing bird automaton for approximately $2,000 but did not stay to view it.
The boutique, founded in 2013 by twin brothers Dan and Dave Buck and which opened its first physical location in 2024, stated that they had reached out to Clarkson to "clear the air" and hoped for a future resolution.
"The median price of an item in our shop is $35," the store noted in a post highlighting its diverse price points. "But we pride ourselves on working directly with talented artisans to curate a collection of rare curiosities hard to find anywhere else in the world. We offer something for everyone."
On Monday, the store was closed for the US federal holiday. Staff reportedly spent the day reposting positive customer reviews and social media posts.