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<\/a><\/p>\nAstrid Stawiarz\/Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n On October 10, Clarkson<\/a> posted on X, which has over 27 million views, to share her experience at Art of Play, a store in Brooklyn, New York.<\/p>\n The singer<\/a> said she traveled to the store because she liked what she saw and had several items she wanted to buy.<\/p>\n \u201cJust 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\u2019t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n Clarkson was clearly unhappy with the interaction and did not hold back when addressing the employee<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWow, dude,\u201d she continued. \u201cYou\u2019re an idiot and just lost a huge sale<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n The singer then named the store and sarcastically encouraged people to visit.<\/p>\n \u201cBut y\u2019all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn<\/a> if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts\u2019 character in Pretty Woman. For sure, check it out,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Clarkson\u2019s reference to Pretty Woman comes from one of the 1990 romantic comedies\u2019 most memorable scenes.<\/p>\n The film stars Julia Roberts<\/a> as Vivian Ward, who visits an upscale boutique but receives dismissive treatment from a salesperson because of her appearance. The employee assumes Vivian cannot afford the clothes and refuses to help her properly.<\/p>\n cobblehillcollective\/Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Vivian later returns to the store dressed elegantly and carrying shopping<\/a> bags from other shops. She confronts the saleswoman and reminds her that she had refused to serve her the previous day.<\/p>\n \u201cYou work on commission, right? Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now!\u201d Vivian tells her.<\/p>\n The scene became an iconic moment in the film, showing Vivian getting the last word after being judged by her appearance.<\/p>\n According to Art of Play\u2019s website, the store offers \u201ca unique collection of magical home goods, puzzles<\/a>, games, toys and books.\u201d<\/p>\n It also features a 26-seat theatre that hosts close-up magic<\/a> performances.<\/p>\n Clarkson\u2019s post quickly attracted attention, with fans expressing disbelief that the singer had allegedly been treated that way Mike Coppola\/Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWow! Imagine not knowing THE Kelly Clarkson,\u201d one commented.<\/p>\n One fan also joked about the possible consequences for the employee, writing, \u201cGlad he didn\u2019t waste your time. Unfortunately for him, he\u2019s about to have a lot of free time.\u201d<\/p>\n However, many people<\/a> pointed out that the issue was not simply whether the employee recognized Clarkson.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are missing the entire point. The point isn\u2019t that the salesperson<\/a> should have recognized Kelly. The point is, he shouldn\u2019t be judging anyone based on their appearance. You don\u2019t have to be dressed up in Gucci to get help at a store.\u201d<\/p>\n Buena Vista Pictures Distribution<\/a><\/p>\n mattvanswol<\/a><\/p>\n SpeakToZeke<\/a><\/p>\n One online user wrote that judging customers<\/a> by how much money they appear to have is bad business.<\/p>\n Another urged the store to focus on serving shoppers instead of assuming their spending power.<\/p>\n \u201cI worked luxury retail all my life, later had my own business<\/a>. \u00a0 You can never, ever, tell who has money and who is going to spend money,\u201d said one commenter.<\/p>\n The incident also sparked a debate about how retail<\/a> workers treat people who walk into their stores. Some users argued that a salesperson should help customers find what they want rather than deciding what they can afford.<\/p>\n As soon as Clarkson\u2019s post went viral, the Brooklyn store received negative reviews Trae Patton\/Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n The backlash did not stop at social media comments.<\/p>\n Some people also took their frustration<\/a> to the store\u2019s online business listings, leaving negative reviews after hearing about Clarkson\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n One Google<\/a> reviewer wrote, \u201cy\u2019all mean to Kelly Clarkson? Heck no.\u201d<\/p>\n Several reviews reportedly appeared around October 10, with users criticizing the alleged treatment of the singer and calling for better customer service.<\/p>\n However, not everyone supported the wave of negative reviews.<\/p>\n PwnyRides<\/a><\/p>\n One customer left a five-star review<\/a> and criticized people for trying to damage the business over an incident they had not personally witnessed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to be a fan but to try to put this shop out of business knowingly is reprehensible,\u201d the reviewer wrote.<\/p>\n The debate also reached Art of Play\u2019s Instagram<\/a> page.<\/p>\n One person commented, \u201cMiss Kelly sent me,\u201d while another wrote, \u201cWe ride at dawn for Kelly Clarkson.\u201d<\/p>\n Dustin_Cone<\/a><\/p>\n TeXan4TrumP77<\/a><\/p>\n Some users offered a different explanation for the alleged encounter. One suggested that the employee might simply have been having a bad<\/a> day.<\/p>\n Others disagreed, arguing that retail workers should not take their personal frustrations out on customers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although the reaction grew quickly, the claims about the shopping trip came from Clarkson\u2019s account. The store did not publicly confirm her description of the interaction.<\/p>\n After severe backlash, the Brooklyn store finally responded with a message about kindness PJ_Marcum<\/a><\/p>\n Hours after Clarkson\u2019s post, Art of Play shared an Instagram Story featuring a positive<\/a> message from another customer.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the very first time I walked into @artofplay, I felt welcomed and treated with such genuine kindness,\u201d the customer wrote.<\/p>\n artofplay\/Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n The message went on to praise the store\u2019s atmosphere<\/a> and staff, describing it as a place that left visitors smiling and wanting to return.<\/p>\n However, the store later deleted the repost before the usual 24-hour period for Instagram Stories had passed, according to Us Weekly.<\/p>\n Art of Play did not issue a formal public response addressing Clarkson\u2019s allegations, according to the reports available at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is so typical of snobby retail staff,\u201d wrote one netizen estephaniiaa_<\/a><\/p>\n Suzy_1776<\/a><\/p>\n goodcharls<\/a><\/p>\n rlp0618<\/a><\/p>\n Thefrugalgay11<\/a><\/p>\n TNVOLINFL<\/a><\/p>\n MrCDraws<\/a><\/p>\n AGoat1971<\/a><\/p>\n tweeterdee420<\/a><\/p>\n LibraryforTrump<\/a><\/p>\n thekazyma<\/a><\/p>\n You might also like: 72 Times Weddings Brought Out The Worst In People, And Someone Was There To Snap A Photo And Take A Screenshot<\/a><\/p>\n Read more stories like this directly on Bored Panda<\/a><\/p>\n This article was originally published by Bored Panda<\/a> on October 11, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n