A Brooklyn store has hit back after Kelly Clarkson published a scathing review accusing staff of treating her like she “couldn’t afford” its products.
Clarkson, 44, claimed she endured an embarrassing Pretty Woman moment in speciality boutique Art of Play, but the store has now explained she had been trying to buy a product that wasn’t for sale.
Kelly Clarkson accused a Brooklyn store of treating her like she couldn’t afford their products. Getty Images for Critics Choice
On Saturday, the American Idol winner posted about her bad shopping experience on X.
“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,” Clarkson said.
“Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale. But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman.”
After being bombarded by negative reviews, the store posted a statement addressing Clarkson’s claims on social media.
“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 statement said.
“Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale.”
In a pinned Instagram post from September, the store had posted a photo of Molly, a mechanical puppet by artist Bliss Kolb, as part of a post titled “Our favourite items are not for sale”.
Art of Play said it was surprised “when our small local business was suddenly attacked by eight million people who have never visited our store”.
“It’s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity,” it said.
The statement concluded by referencing Clarkson’s 2011 song, Stronger.
“We’re going to keep our heads down and hopefully, we can clear things up with Kelly someday. As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’” it said.
Fans haven’t heard from Clarkson following the store’s statement. Getty
The statement attracted fierce debate from users.
“This is a terrible statement, please take some accountability,” one critic wrote.
“I don’t know either party but I think it’s wild that a big, mega-rich celebrity would put a small business on blast, knowing that threatening harassment would ensue from fans,” said another.