Brooklyn Shop Caught in Viral Dispute With Kelly Clarkson
A shopping trip to Brooklyn has turned into a very public back-and-forth between Kelly Clarkson and a small specialty store.
The singer accused Art of Play, a magic and curiosity shop in Brooklyn, of treating her like she couldn’t afford its merchandise. The store has since pushed back, saying the item she wanted was never for sale, and Clarkson has responded again. Here’s everything we know so far.
What Kelly Clarkson Said
Clarkson took to X on Saturday, Oct. 10, after visiting Art of Play, which sits between the Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill neighborhoods. The shop sells magic-themed gifts, playing cards and games alongside home goods.
She said she’d driven to Brooklyn with a few purchases in mind but felt she was looked at as if she couldn’t afford them. According to Clarkson, an employee told her he could find “something comparable for me.”
Clarkson compared the experience to the famous shopping scene in “Pretty Woman,” in which Julia Roberts’ character is snubbed by snooty boutique staff. She didn’t hold back, either. “You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” she wrote, according to HuffPost.
The post quickly spread online, and the store’s Yelp page was soon flooded with negative reviews echoing Clarkson’s complaint.
Art of Play Responds
The store addressed the situation in an Instagram post on Sunday, Oct. 11. It said Clarkson had asked about buying “Molly,” a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton that plays an important role in the magic shows the store hosts.
Art of Play said the piece was not for sale and stressed that everyone is equally welcome in the shop. While the store said it sympathized with anyone who has walked into a business and felt unwelcome, it also expressed frustration with the sudden wave of criticism.
“Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store,” the shop wrote, People reported. The post ended by thanking its supporters and welcoming curious newcomers who had discovered the shop “amidst the drama.”
Clarkson Fires Back
Clarkson wasn’t satisfied with that explanation. On Sunday evening, she responded on X, opening by complimenting the shop before disputing its account.
“Cool, cool. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with,” she wrote, according to Forbes.
She also reposted a fan’s photo showing a $15,000 price tag displayed next to the bird, with a caption questioning how an item that wasn’t for sale could have a price attached. Clarkson accused the store of not being truthful and emphasized that her complaint was about how she was treated. “It’s not that hard to be kind,” she wrote, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
The Store Explains the Price Tag
Art of Play later offered a further explanation for the price tag. The store said the original “Molly” is permanently attached to the wall and used in its magic shows, so it isn’t for sale. However, the bird’s creator owns a nearly identical automaton that can be purchased for $15,000.
Staff members also said they offered to show Clarkson another singing-bird automaton, made in Germany and priced at about $2,000, but that she left before seeing it.
Where Things Stand
As of Monday, neither side appears to be backing down. Clarkson maintains she was treated poorly, while Art of Play says the situation was a misunderstanding over an item that wasn’t available.
In the meantime, the dispute has put a spotlight on the tiny Brooklyn shop, for better or worse. Whether the attention ultimately helps or hurts the business remains to be seen.
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