Kelly Clarkson's Public Outburst at Brooklyn Store Highlights Underlying Upset, Source Claims

A source close to Kelly Clarkson revealed that the singer's decision to publicly call out a Brooklyn store for alleged rude treatment suggests she was "livid," as such an action is uncharacteristic of her typically down-to-earth personality.

Clarkson, 44, took to social media on Saturday to criticize the store, Art of Play, claiming an employee treated her as if she could not afford an item she intended to purchase. She likened the experience to a scene from the movie "Pretty Woman," where Julia Roberts' character is mistreated in a high-end boutique.

"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 on X, formerly Twitter. She further referred to the employee as an "idiot" and stated the store had lost a significant sale.

However, Art of Play pushed back on Clarkson's account, issuing a statement on Sunday that clarified the item in question was a unique mechanical bird puppet named Molly, which was a permanent fixture on the wall and not for sale. The store asserted that employees explained to Clarkson that a similar bird by the original artist was available for $15,000.

Clarkson contested this explanation on X, stating she had pointed to a price tag and that an employee condescendingly informed her the item cost $15,000. She emphasized that while she supports small businesses, poor customer service is unacceptable, adding, "It’s not that hard to be kind."

In a subsequent statement on Monday, Art of Play reiterated its account, claiming they offered to show Clarkson another mechanical bird priced around $2,000, but she departed before seeing it. The store expressed a desire to "clear the air" and hoped the incident could eventually be seen as a "misunderstanding."

A representative for Clarkson did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The source further described Clarkson as "seriously one of the most down to earth people you could ever meet," noting her approachable nature and that she "never let any of the fame get to her head."