A public disagreement has emerged between singer Kelly Clarkson and Art of Play, a retail store in Brooklyn, following the celebrity’s recent visit to the establishment. Clarkson took to social media to express her frustration, alleging that she was treated poorly by staff who behaved as if she could not afford the items on display. She compared the experience to the iconic scene in the film Pretty Woman, suggesting that the store's attitude cost them a significant sale.
The store responded to the viral post by issuing a clarification on social media. Management stated that the item Clarkson expressed interest in—a singing and dancing bird automaton named 'Molly'—is a one-of-a-kind piece permanently attached to the wall and is not for sale. The shop owners expressed surprise at the sudden public backlash, noting that they had offered to show the singer a different, available automaton from a German clockmaker, which was priced at approximately $2,000. According to the store's statement, Clarkson did not remain at the premises long enough to view the alternative item.
Clarkson refuted the store's claims in a subsequent post, reiterating her belief that the staff member had indeed indicated the item was for sale. She claimed that she pointed to a price tag on the wall listing the item at $15,000 before the staff member responded in a manner she described as condescending. To support her account, the singer shared a photograph of the price tag she encountered. The incident has triggered a broader online debate regarding customer service standards in small businesses, with social media users expressing varying opinions on the conflicting versions of events provided by the singer and the store.
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