After Kelly Clarkson took to X on Saturday to share her experience “being treated like Julia Roberts” in “Pretty Woman” during a visit to Art of Play, a novelty shop in Brooklyn, the local business is responding to her claims, saying it has received “widespread outrage” since and explaining that the item she wanted to buy — a bird permanently fixed to the store’s wall– was not actually for sale.

In her initial tweet, which has garnered nearly 260,000 likes and 32.2 million views, the singer wrote that she had driven to the store, which she thought “looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy.” She continued, writing that she “literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me. Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.” She then named the store and told her fans to visit if they “enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman,” accompanied by a thumbs-down emoji.

On Sunday, the business posted a multi-slide carousel to the store’s Instagram account sharing their side of the story. They began by clarifying that the item Clarkson inquired about purchasing was “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,” the caption read. (In a Feb. 2025 Instagram post’s caption, the business wrote that Molly is the store’s “beloved shop bird” and “mascot,” and she is one of the few items in Art of Play that has a “Do Not Touch” sign.)

The business continued to note that “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.”

Art of Play also acknowledged the significant backlash they’ve been receiving since Clarkson’s statement, before quoting the singer and concluding the message.

“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. As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’”

Following Art of Play’s posts, a seemingly skeptical Clarkson responded with another post to X that reads: “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.’”

She continued: “That all never happened and now it’s not for sale. Okay, cool. So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar.” The singer explained that while she “obviously” supports small businesses, they “don’t get a free pass to treat people less than.” “It’s not that hard to be kind,” she concluded. “I never blast people but you my friend were an exception. Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren’t.”

In a seeming effort to lay the matter to rest, the store responded to her message, reiterating that the mechanical bird in question is permanently attached to the wall, but the artist has a “twin” that is available for $15,000, however a similar model was available in the store for $2,000. “She did not stick around long enough to see it,” they added.

“We’ve reached out to Kelly directly to try and clear the air,” the post concludes. “We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding.”

See the full posts below.

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

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. Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a…

— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 10, 2026