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Kelly Clarkson sparked a public dispute with a Brooklyn novelty shop after she claimed staff treated her dismissively during a visit, comparing her experience to a famous scene in the 1990 film Pretty Woman. The singer took to X to criticize Art of Play, a curiosity shop in Brooklyn, and the resulting online backlash quickly overwhelmed the small business.
Clarkson Goes Public With Her Complaint
Over the weekend, Clarkson posted her account of the visit on X, writing that she had driven to Brooklyn specifically to check out the store and had planned to make several purchases. She said a staff member looked at her as though she could not afford anything and offered to find her something comparable instead.
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“Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” Clarkson wrote. She then directed her followers to visit Art of Play if they wanted to experience being treated like Julia Roberts’ character Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman — a character who is turned away from a boutique by staff who assume she cannot afford the clothes.
Clarkson posted her first message on social media exactly 15 minutes after leaving the store, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was wearing sunglasses, a bright yellow T-shirt, baggy jeans, a baseball hat and a backpack during her visit. She had entered the store with her children.
Art of Play Offers a Different Account
The following day, Art of Play responded through Instagram. The store said Clarkson had asked about a mechanical bird named Molly — a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing automaton that serves as a mascot for the shop. According to the store, Molly is permanently attached to the wall and is not for sale.
However, the store said staff explained that Molly’s creator, artist Bliss Kolb of Seattle, owned a nearly identical automaton and was willing to sell it for $15,000. Staff also offered to show Clarkson a different singing bird automaton made by a traditional German clockmaking shop, priced at around $2,000, which she could have taken home that day. The store said she did not stay long enough to see it.
Art of Play also acknowledged that Clarkson’s feelings were understandable. “The negative experience Kelly described would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop,” the store wrote. The post added that all visitors are welcomed equally, whether they come to buy or simply browse.
Clarkson rejected the store’s version of events. She responded on X, saying she had pointed directly at a price tag on the wall labeled “Singing Bird” when she asked if it was for sale. She said the employee looked her up and down and replied in a condescending tone that the item cost $15,000 and offered to find her something comparable. “So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar,” she wrote.
She also pushed back against any suggestion that her criticism was unfair to a small business. “I love small businesses and know they are important and I always support them,” she wrote, “but you don’t get a free pass to treat people less than in your store just because you are a small business.”
About Molly, the Mechanical Bird at the Centre of the Dispute
Art of Play describes Molly as an automaton — an elaborate mechanical puppet designed to create the illusion of life. When a crank is turned, Molly sings and dances. The store says staff have developed a genuine affection for her over time.
In February 2025, Molly lost her voice and stopped performing. Kolb flew across the country to repair her, and the store says she is now singing and dancing better than ever. Because of her delicate condition, Molly carries a “Do Not Touch” sign. On weekends, she performs as the opening act for shows held at the store’s 69 Atlantic venue.
After the dispute went public, Art of Play listed Molly for sale at $15 million.
Shop Owner Warns of Threats and Safety Concerns
Co-owner Adam Rubin told USA Today that the store has been overwhelmed since Clarkson criticized it to her 8.8 million followers on X. He said the shop’s phone and email have been flooded with threatening messages and that neighbours have been doxxed.
“We are afraid for the safety of our shopkeepers,” Rubin said. “Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger.”
Rubin also said that no one in the store recognized Clarkson when she arrived and that the shop was busy at the time. He said she was there for less than five minutes. “We treated her like a normal person but apparently that did not live up to her expectations,” he said. He also alleged that Clarkson scolded an employee on her way out.
“Nothing happened in this shop to justify her scolding our shopkeeper on the way out, but I could let that go,” Rubin said. “Everybody has a bad day. But things changed when she used her platform to attack us. It’s asymmetrical social warfare.”
Despite the controversy, Rubin noted that the store’s sales have surged and foot traffic has increased significantly since the dispute became public.
Meanwhile, footage of Clarkson’s visit has been obtained and released by journalist Pablo Torre, host of the investigative podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out. The silent video shows Clarkson browsing the store, picking up items and later speaking with two separate employees before leaving. An alternative camera angle shows her standing in front of the mechanical bird and speaking with a staff member, who appears to point at something in the shop. After their conversation ends, the employee moves on to assist other customers. Clarkson then puts back the items she was holding and walks toward the exit.
Art of Play said it has reached out to Clarkson directly to resolve the situation. “We’re going to keep our heads down and hopefully we can clear things up with Kelly someday,” the store wrote, adding a reference to one of her own lyrics: “As a talented popular singer once said, ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.'”
