Brief
Kelly Clarkson alleges snub at Brooklyn novelty shop Art of Play
The singer's X post triggered a backlash and a rebuttal from the boutique, which says the item was never for sale.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Kelly Clarkson posted on X on Saturday, accusing staff at Art of Play, a high‑end curiosity shop in Brooklyn, of treating her as if she couldn’t afford a purchase. She wrote that she was told the store could find a comparable item after she inquired about a "one‑of‑a‑kind singing and dancing bird automaton" named Molly.
Art of Play responded on Instagram on Sunday, stating that Molly is permanently attached to the wall and is not for sale. The shop said the negative experience described by Clarkson would resonate with anyone who has felt judged in a store, and emphasized that everyone is welcome to "pick things up and play."
Following the boutique's statement, Clarkson posted to Instagram stories, sharing photos of a price tag she says was displayed next to the bird and reiterating that a staff member had told her the item cost $15,000 and could be replaced with something comparable. She accused the store of lying and being rude.
The dispute has drawn mixed reactions online. Some fans defended Clarkson, condemning the perceived power imbalance between a celebrity and a small business. Others defended Art of Play, recalling positive experiences and criticizing the store for not issuing an apology. The shop noted it was suddenly the focus of "8 million people" after a single celebrity mention.
Key facts
- Kelly Clarkson claimed staff at Art of Play treated her as if she couldn't afford a purchase. (latimes.com)
- Art of Play said the bird automaton "Molly" is permanently attached to the wall and not for sale. (latimes.com)
- Clarkson posted photos of a price tag suggesting a $15,000 price for the automaton. (latimes.com)
Sources
- [1] latimes.com — originally reported as “Why Kelly Clarkson is feuding with a high-end New York novelty shop”
