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Clarkson's Bird Row Inflates Price Tag to $15M
Confirmed
In Short: Singer Kelly Clarkson took to X to call out a Brooklyn store, Art of Play, for allegedly treating her poorly during a shopping trip.
Singer Kelly Clarkson has sparked a controversy after she took to X to accuse a Brooklyn store, Art of Play, of mistreating her during a shopping trip. The dispute began when Clarkson visited the store and claimed she was treated poorly after inquiring about purchasing a $15,000 mechanical singing bird named Molly.
Co-owner of Art of Play, Adam Rubin, told Fox News Digital that the singer's viral dispute has put his business in danger. Rubin said, 'But I am afraid for the safety of our shop. Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger,' after the incident.
In response to the controversy, the price tag of the mechanical bird has skyrocketed to $15 million, according to Fashiontimes (United Kingdom). The new sign beside Molly now identifies the bird as a creation of artist Bliss Kolb, with the eye-popping price.
Rubin also accused Clarkson of an 'abuse of power,' arguing that her enormous platform has intensified the backlash against his small business. He claimed the backlash has extended beyond angry comments online, with people associated with the business allegedly facing threats and having their personal information exposed.
The business explained that Molly is a permanent fixture in the shop and that employees had offered Clarkson the opportunity to purchase a similar bird from its creator. They also said they had offered her a different singing bird for $2,000 from a clock-making shop in Germany, which she could have purchased that day.
Clarkson maintained that she had pointed to a $15,000 price tag and was told the bird was available for purchase, but that an employee suggested finding her something comparable. She likened her experience to the famous scene in Pretty Woman where boutique staff snub Julia Roberts' character.
The store's public response to Clarkson's complaint noted that the bird was not for sale and that employees had offered to find her a similar item. Rubin claimed the price change was due to popular demand and that the bird was now priced at $15 million.
Supporters of both sides have weighed in on social media, with some rallying around the store and others supporting Clarkson. The store has received gifts, pastries, and notes of encouragement from supporters.
Local residents have also been affected by the controversy. Kiran Ramineni, who lives next door, described Art of Play as a 'very nice small mom and pop store' and said he had seen flocks of journalists there in recent days.
The store's co-owner, Adam Rubin, has maintained that in-person patrons have rallied around the store. He said, 'We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding.'
What this adds
The price tag of the mechanical bird has increased from $15,000 to $15 million following the controversy, according to Fashiontimes (United Kingdom).
The store's original $15,000 price tag for the bird has been disputed by Clarkson, who claimed she was told the bird was available for purchase but that an employee suggested finding her something comparable.
The incident has drawn comparisons to the Pretty Woman scene where Julia Roberts' character is treated poorly by boutique staff, according to Clarkson's posts.
Background
Singer Kelly Clarkson took to X to call out a Brooklyn store, Art of Play, for allegedly treating her poorly during a shopping trip.
What's confirmed
- "Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale."
- "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.
- "Y'all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman," she said, referring to a scene from the 1990 romantic comedy film where Roberts' character is treated poorly by staff at a shop, who imply she cannot afford various items.
- Art of Play has defended how it treated the star on social media, saying the wooden bird - which is called Molly - is permanently attached to the wall and is not for sale.
- "I never blast people but you my friend were an exception."
- "We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding."
- Singer Kelly Clarkson took to X to call out a Brooklyn store, Art of Play, for allegedly treating her poorly during a shopping trip, comparing her experience to the 1990 film 'Pretty Woman.' According to Billboard and The Independent (United Kingdom), Clarkson wrote on X that she was looked at as if she couldn’t afford items and was told the store could find something comparable for her.
- The “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast obtained the security footage, which shows Clarkson in the store with two children, wearing a baseball hat, a yellow t-shirt, and backpack.
What's still developing
- The new sign offers a striking contrast to the original $15,000 price tag that Clarkson cited in her complaint.
- Rubin argued that Clarkson's celebrity status carries a responsibility.
- Rubin explained that Clarkson spent "less than five minutes" inside the crowded shop on a bustling Saturday before angrily scolding an employee on her way out the door.
- "So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it," Clarkson wrote in a follow-up post.
- Jay Aldebert says Clarkson’s first step should have been to contact the store’s owner and try to resolve the issue privately.
- A manager makes an introduction: “There’s the world-famous Molly over there.” It was for want of Molly that Clarkson first called out Art of Play, claiming she was treated poorly after she inquired about purchasing the novelty artwork, which at the time boasted a $15,000 price tag.
- When the store responded that the bird wasn’t for sale, Clarkson doubled down, and her nearly 9 million followers jumped into the fray.
- In fact, you have to really look to find the star of the moment, a six-inch-tall hand-carved animatronic bird affixed to the wall and attached to a box and crank with a delicate “Do not touch” tag.
- Clarkson alleged on X that an employee tried to direct her to a less expensive item, and likened her experience to the famed Pretty Woman scene where Julia Roberts’ sex worker Vivian is turned away from a Rodeo Drive boutique by snooty saleswomen.
- I ask one of the shoppers, who declined to give her name, about the Clarkson feud.
- Dog that hunts invasive 'sea vomit' honoured as animal of the year PM launches brain cancer review after meeting 'inspirational' patient My contraceptive coil saved my life after it revealed I had cancer What's going on between Kelly Clarkson and a Brooklyn store bird?
- The new asking price is 1,000 times the original $15,000 figure, although there is no indication that the bird has sold for that amount or that the price reflects an independently established valuation.