Toy Bird's Price Skyrockets to $15 Million Amid Kelly Clarkson Dispute

The intricate automaton bird at the center of a public dispute between singer Kelly Clarkson and Brooklyn novelty store Art of Play has seen its price dramatically increase to $15 million. Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin stated that the heightened value is a direct result of the intense media attention the "singing bird automaton" has received in the past 72 hours, making it "the most famous singing bird automaton in the world."

The incident, which Clarkson likened to a scene from the movie "Pretty Woman," occurred when the singer inquired about purchasing the bird, known as Molly, on a Saturday visit. According to a statement from the store, Clarkson was informed that the bird was permanently attached to the wall and belonged to its creator, who resides in Seattle. She was offered the option to purchase the bird for $15,000 or a similar, smaller automaton for $2,000, but reportedly left the store after declining both offers.

Clarkson subsequently voiced her dissatisfaction on social media, criticizing the interaction as condescending and comparing it to the fictional character Vivian Ward's experience of being snubbed in a high-end boutique. This led to a public exchange between Clarkson and Rubin, who accused the singer of engaging in "asymmetrical social warfare."

Rubin told The Post that the store has been subjected to a barrage of "hateful phone calls and threats" since Clarkson's tweets gained traction. He suggested that Clarkson's reaction stemmed from not receiving the "special treatment" she might have expected, a notion that sources close to Clarkson have contested. An insider stated that Clarkson is generally a "chill" person who treats everyone with respect and does not expect preferential treatment.

The initial price for the automaton was $15,000. Rubin indicated that the public nature of the dispute and the subsequent viral attention have fundamentally altered the perceived value and desirability of the unique item.