Kelly Clarkson traded jabs with a Brooklyn novelty store over the weekend after experiencing what she called a “Pretty Woman” moment.
WASHINGTON — Kelly Clarkson and a Brooklyn curiosity shop traded jabs over the weekend after the singer publicly called out the store over a negative experience.
Clarkson, 44, took to X on Saturday, Oct. 10 to criticize Art of Play, a novelty shop in Brooklyn, New York, where she alleges she experienced a “Pretty Woman” moment.
“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 in her post. “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. For sure, check it out.”
The “American Idol” alum referenced a scene in “Pretty Woman” where Julia Roberts’ character goes shopping and is told the clothing there is too expensive for her based on her appearance. The following day, Roberts’ character goes back with several shopping bags and dressed in fancier clothes, telling the salesperson they made a “big mistake. Big. Huge!”
On Sunday, Oct. 11, Art of Play responded to Clarkson’s post with a statement, alleging that the singer inquired about an item that was not for sale. Art of Play is a novelty shop with “magical home goods, puzzles, games, toys and books,” according to its website.
“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. Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale. However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop,” Art of Play said in a statement shared on its social media page.
“At Art of Play whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome. We greet everyone who walks in the door with the invitation to ‘pick things up and play.’ And they do, many stay for hours enjoying our puzzles, games and toys,” the store said. “Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 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.”
“Thanks to all our friends for their support and welcome to all the curious folks who have discovered us amidst the drama. We’re going to keep our heads down and hopefully, we can clear things up with Kelly someday,” Art of Play continued before quipping. “As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’”
Kelly Clarkson calls out store for being “rude” and a “liar”
Later on Sunday, Clarkson responded to Art of Play’s statement, calling the store “rude” and a “liar.”
The “Breakaway” singer also posted screenshots of a “Singing Bird” with a $15,000 price listing.
“Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with 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 said on X.
“That all never happened and now it’s not for sale. Okay, cool. So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it,” Clarkson added. “And by the way, I obviously support small businesses because I was literally at a small business trying to purchase 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. It’s not that hard to be kind. I never blast people but you my friend were an exception.”
“Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren’t,” Clarkson said.
Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with 👍 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… pic.twitter.com/9PEhUWnIOt
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 11, 2026
Art of Play issued a second statement, addressing that the $15,000 price tag was for a “nearly identical” automaton by the creator, Bliss Kolb. The store added that it explained the distinction between “Molly,” the automaton inside the store that is not for sale, and the “twin” model of the “Singing Bird.”
“During the 5 minutes she spent in the store, she inquired about our mechanical bird puppet named Molly. We explained that while Molly is permanently attached to the wall and serves as a de facto mascot for our shop, a nearly identical automaton is owned by the creator of the machines, a brilliant artist named Bliss Kolb who lives in Seattle. He told us he would be willing to part with Molly’s twin for $15,000. We explained all of this to Kelly Clarkson,” the store said in its statement.
“We also offered to show her a different singing bird automaton, made by a traditional clockmaking shop in Germany, that she could have taken home with her that day. It costs about $2,000. She did not stick around long enough to see it,” the statement continued. “We’ve reached out to Kelly directly to try and clear the air. We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding.”