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Kelly Clarkson's Row With Brooklyn Store Owner Escalates
Confirmed
In Short: Kelly Clarkson has accused Brooklyn store Art of Play of treating her poorly during a shopping trip, leading to a heated dispute that has escalated into a safety concern for the store's owners.
Kelly Clarkson has accused Brooklyn store Art of Play of treating her poorly during a shopping trip, leading to a heated dispute that has escalated into a safety concern for the store's owners.
According to Curbed, Kelly Clarkson visited Art of Play intending to purchase something but was told it wasn't for sale. She then shared a harsh online review with her 8 million followers on X, comparing her experience to 'being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman.'
The International Business Times UK (United Kingdom) reported that Rubin said Clarkson yelled at the shopkeeper as she left, claiming she would never return. Rubin also told the Daily Mail that the shop had received threatening calls and messages, negative reviews, and social media abuse.
The Express Tribune (Pakistan) reported that footage released by Pablo Torre, host of the investigative podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out, shows Clarkson entering the shop with her children, browsing items, and speaking briefly with an employee near the bird, known as Molly.
Both outlets agree that the dispute began when Clarkson said she was treated dismissively while asking about Molly, an animatronic singing and dancing bird displayed at Art of Play. Curbed reported that the store was packed when this happened, and people were getting threatened on the street.
The International Business Times UK (United Kingdom) reported that the store said Molly was permanently attached to the wall and was not for sale, but later clarified that a nearly identical bird owned by its creator, Seattle artist Bliss Kolb, could be purchased for $15,000 (£11,300).
The Express Tribune (Pakistan) reported that the shop's co-owner shared that both the business and the people associated with it have faced intimidation from people after the singer criticized her shopping experience.
The International Business Times UK (United Kingdom) reported that Rubin alleged that the shop had received threatening phone calls and emails, while negative reviews flooded multiple platforms.
The Express Tribune (Pakistan) reported that Rubin described the dispute as an 'insane misunderstanding' and said the attention surrounding the dispute has created a difficult situation for the store and its employees.
The International Business Times UK (United Kingdom) reported that Rubin blamed the escalation on Clarkson using her public platform to criticize the shop, although his allegations do not establish that the singer personally encouraged anyone to threaten or target the business or its neighbors.
The Express Tribune (Pakistan) reported that the shop had experienced increased sales and foot traffic alongside threatening messages, negative reviews, and harassment affecting neighboring businesses.
Both outlets agree that the bird at the center of the controversy now has a staggering $15 million price tag, although there is no indication that the bird has sold for that amount or that the price reflects an independently established valuation.
What this adds
The dispute has divided online audiences, with some supporting Clarkson’s account and others criticizing her decision to publicly identify the small business.
Background
Kelly Clarkson has accused Brooklyn store Art of Play of treating her poorly during a shopping trip, leading to a heated dispute that has escalated into a safety concern for the store's owners.
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
- Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin poses with Molly, a mechanical singing and dancing bird that has become a fixture at the Brooklyn shop. (Fox News Digital) "But I am afraid for the safety of our shop. Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," Rubin told Fox News Digital.
- Art of Play previously explained in a public statement that the original $15,000 figure referred to a nearly identical automaton available from artist Bliss Kolb, while Molly herself is permanently attached to the wall and serves as a fixture in the store's magic performances.
- The bird at the center of the controversy now has a staggering $15 million price tag.
- The allegation comes from the shop's co-owner Adam Rubin, who said the remark was made as Clarkson left the store on Saturday, 10 October.
- You’re an idiot and just lost a… The store said Molly was permanently attached to the wall and was not for sale, but later clarified that a nearly identical bird owned by its creator, Seattle artist Bliss Kolb, could be purchased for $15,000 (£11,300).
- It also said staff offered Clarkson a different singing bird priced at about $2,000 (£1,500), but she left before seeing it.
- "Molly," the one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton. 🎶🐥 pic.twitter.com/rSJOvY5VvW The dispute began when Clarkson said she was treated dismissively while asking about Molly, an animatronic singing and dancing bird displayed at Art of Play.
- She 'yelled at the shopkeeper on her way out the door,' Rubin told the Daily Mail. 'As she was leaving, she said, "You know, I'm never coming here again."' Rubin also claimed the fallout had put the business in danger. 'Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger,' he said, alleging that the shop had received threatening calls and messages, negative reviews and social media abuse.
- Speaking to TMZ, Rubin said the past 72 hours had been stressful for the business after Clarkson criticised her shopping experience.
- Clarkson has spoken out about an unpleasant shopping experience at a high-end store in Brooklyn, saying the way she was treated reminded her of Julia Roberts ' character in the 1990 film 'Pretty Woman'.
- "Kelly Clarkson has put us all in danger." https://t.co/2PrA3pKFiU He also claimed that some people had arrived outside the shop to confront employees, while online users had circulated personal information about neighbors who filmed the incident.
- The shop's co-owner shared that both the business and the people associated with it have faced intimidation from people after the singer criticized her shopping experience.
What's still developing
- Nobody who has ever visited this store in person is taking Kelly Clarkson’s side.
- “The Voice” judge can be seen standing in front of the automaton bird in-question, before flagging down an employee.
- Gothamist reported that Rubin had not heard from Clarkson or her representatives as of Tuesday, although he expressed some sympathy for the intensity that comes with her level of fame.