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Kelly Clarkson responded on X to an apology from the Brooklyn store Art of Play after she claimed they were rude and dishonest when trying to purchase a rare singing bird automaton. The store initially stated that the item was not for sale, contradicting Kelly’s account where she said she saw a price tag and discussed pricing with staff who suggested something else due to its high cost. Clarkson criticized the store's behavior while still acknowledging her support for small businesses in general but emphasized that mistreating customers is unacceptable regardless of business size.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-12,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Kelly Clarkson accused Art of Play, a Brooklyn store known for unique items, of treating her poorly when she visited on Saturday. She claimed an employee made her feel as if she couldn't afford to shop there and offered something comparable instead. Clarkson compared this experience to the famous "Pretty Woman" movie scene where Julia Roberts' character is mistreated by a boutique saleswoman.
The store initially shared positive reviews but later posted that Clarkson had asked about purchasing Molly, a singing and dancing bird automaton, which they said was not for sale despite having a price tag. This prompted Clarkson to respond angrily on social media, calling the store's narrative "rude" and a lie. She detailed her interaction with an employee who initially stated that the item cost $15,000 but then suggested comparable items.
The incident sparked backlash against Art of Play, leading many people to leave negative reviews online.
Written for “Kelly Clarkson Brooklyn Store Drama” on 2026-10-12,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 73069 · logged 2026-10-12
“Yesterday, Kelly Clarkson visited us in Brooklyn and inquired about buying ‘Molly,’ a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here,” the store wrote.
asserted
store → visit → shows
“Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale.”
asserted
Molly → attach → sale
Clarkson snapped back on X within hours: “Cool, cool.
asserted
Clarkson → snap → hours
That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with.”
asserted
Art → ’ → Play
“So the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale whilst pointing to the price tag hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn’t happen as you elevator eyed me saying in a condescending tone “yes, it’s for sale but it costs 15,000 dollars so if you’d like me to find something comparable for you I can,'” Clarkson added.
asserted
Clarkson → have → you
“That all never happened and now it’s not for sale.
asserted
it → happen → sale
So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar.
asserted
you → ’re → ?
Clarkson also addressed that the store owners — by their own admission in their post — were “suddenly attacked by 8 million people” and having a “surreal experience” to the reaction from her fans.
asserted
owners → address → fans
“By the way, I obviously support small businesses because I was literally at a small business trying to purchase things.
asserted
I → support → things
I love small businesses and know they are important and I always support them, but you don’t get a free pass to treat people less than in your store just because you are a small business.
asserted
you → love → store
It’s not that hard to be kind.
asserted
It → ’ → ?
I never blast people but you my friend were an exception.”
asserted
you → blast → people
“Your store is really cool,” she concluded.
asserted
she → conclude → ?
“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,” she shared on X.
“Wow, dude,” the “American Idol” winner continued, seemingly calling out a specific associate she’d interacted with.
uncertain
she → drive → associate
“You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.”
asserted
You → ’re → sale
Clarkson concluded her post by telling her 8.8 million followers on the social media platform: “But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman.
asserted
you → conclude → Woman
In addition to their explanation regarding the singing bird, Art of Play noted on their social media in response: “At Art of Play, whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome,” adding thanks to their supporters and a note that many people “stay for hours enjoying our puzzles, games and toys.”
asserted
people → regard → puzzles
Conversation
Your voice matters.
asserted
voice → matter → ?
Discussions are moderated for civility.
asserted
Discussions → moderate → civility
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