Kelly Clarkson Feuds With Brooklyn Store Over Mechanical Bird
The singer accused Art of Play of treating her poorly, a claim the shop disputes, stating the item she wanted was not for sale.
Singer Kelly Clarkson ignited a public dispute with a Brooklyn store, Art of Play, after alleging an employee treated her dismissively, akin to Julia Roberts' character in "Pretty Woman." The shop owners, however, have pushed back, asserting that Clarkson omitted crucial details from their interaction.
Clarkson took to social media platform X to voice her frustration after visiting the Brooklyn Heights store, which specializes in items like luxury playing cards, puzzles, and novelty toys. She claimed she was "looked at as if I couldn’t afford it" and told that a comparable item could be found for her. She wrote, "Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale."
The "Since U Been Gone" singer's post referenced a scene from the 1990 film "Pretty Woman," where Roberts' character, Vivian Ward, is snubbed by saleswomen at a high-end boutique. Clarkson concluded her initial post by advising others to visit Art of Play if they "enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman."
In response to Clarkson and subsequent criticism from her fans, Art of Play released a statement asserting that the specific item Clarkson expressed interest in—a mechanical bird automaton named Molly—was not for sale. The store explained that Molly is a permanent fixture and mascot, attached to the wall and integral to their magic shows.
Clarkson countered the store's narrative, sharing a photograph she claimed showed the mechanical bird with a price tag, and accusing the store of lying. She stated, "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.'"
She further alleged, "That all never happened and now it’s not for sale. Okay, cool. So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it."
Clarkson defended her decision to criticize a small business, emphasizing her support for them while asserting that their size does not excuse poor customer service. "I love small businesses and know they are important and I always support them, but you don’t get a free pass to treat people less than in your store just because you are a small business," she wrote.
Art of Play later provided further details, clarifying that they had explained to Clarkson that a similar automaton, a twin to Molly, was owned by the machine's creator in Seattle and could be purchased for $15,000. They also stated that they offered to show Clarkson a different, available singing bird automaton, made by a German clockmaker, for $2,000, but she reportedly left before seeing it.
A source close to Clarkson described her as typically down-to-earth and approachable, suggesting that her public criticism indicated a significant level of displeasure. "You know something must have really bothered her because that’s just not who she is," the source commented.