Burleson native Kelly Clarkson publicly accused a Brooklyn curiosity shop of treating her as if she could not afford its merchandise during a weekend visit, comparing the experience to the famous snub scene in the film Pretty Woman. The singer posted Saturday on X that she had driven to Art of Play in Brooklyn Heights, liked the store, and had items in mind to buy, but felt a staffer looked at her dismissively and offered to find something \u201ccomparable.\u201d She called the employee an \u201cidiot\u201d who lost a huge sale and urged others to visit if they enjoyed similar treatment.<\/p>\n
Art of Play responded Sunday on Instagram that Clarkson had asked about \u201cMolly,\u201d a one-of-a-kind singing-and-dancing bird automaton that serves as the shop\u2019s mascot, is permanently attached to the wall, and is not for sale. The store said a nearly identical piece by the artist was available for $15,000 and that staff also offered a different German-made singing bird for about $2,000. It noted the wave of online criticism that followed Clarkson\u2019s post and said all visitors are welcome whether they buy or simply browse.<\/p>\n
Clarkson fired back later Sunday, posting that she had pointed to a $15,000 price tag labeled \u201cSinging Bird,\u201d that the employee confirmed it was for sale in a condescending tone, and that the shop was now lying by claiming it was never available. She shared an image she said showed the price tag and added that she supports small businesses but not poor treatment. The brief back-and-forth quickly went viral, with both sides maintaining their accounts of the short encounter and no independent verification of the exact conversation emerging.<\/p>\n
Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn\u2019t for sale. That\u2019s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with \ud83d\udc4d 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\u2019t happen as you elevator eyed me saying in a condescending tone \u201cyes, it\u2019s for sale but it costs 15,000 dollars so if you\u2019d like me to find something comparable for you I can.\u201d That all never happened and now it\u2019s not for sale. Okay, cool. So you\u2019re not only rude, you\u2019re also a liar. Got it \u2705
\nAnd 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\u2019t get a free pass to treat people less than in your store just because you are a small business. It\u2019s not that hard to be kind. I never blast people but you my friend were an exception.
\nYour store is really cool.
\nUnfortunately, you aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Clarkson, a three-time Grammy winner and former American Idol champion who now lives in New York, has not indicated any further steps. Art of Play has said it hopes to clear the air with her at some point.<\/p>\n LISTEN<\/a> on the Audacy App
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