Art of Play Feud: Kelly Clarkson’s $15,000 Bird Controversy Explained

The shopping experience of a celebrity can quickly attract widespread attention, and this weekend, Kelly Clarkson found herself at the center of such a situation. The item that sparked the controversy? A $15,000 mechanical singing bird.

On October 10, Clarkson took to X to express her frustration: “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 huge sale.”

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The store in question, Art of Play, located in Brooklyn Heights, specializes in games, puzzles, toys, books, and various home goods. Clarkson specifically mentioned it, drawing parallels to the iconic boutique scene in Pretty Woman, where the character played by Julia Roberts faces similar dismissiveness due to assumptions about her financial status.

Clarkson encouraged her followers to visit Art of Play, saying, “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 store provided a different perspective on why Clarkson left without the bird. In an Instagram post on October 11, Art of Play clarified that Clarkson had inquired about a mechanical bird named Molly, which is used in their magic shows and is permanently attached to the wall, thus not for sale.

The store acknowledged that Clarkson’s experience resonated with many who have felt judged while shopping. They emphasized that all customers are welcome, regardless of whether they make a purchase or just browse. They also mentioned the unexpected attention from Clarkson’s post, stating, “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.” The statement humorously referenced Clarkson’s music, saying, “As a talented popular singer once said, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’

This wasn’t the end of the dispute. Clarkson later shared a photo showcasing the $15,000 price tag for the singing bird. In another post on X, she claimed that the employee had looked her up and down in a condescending manner, stating the bird’s price before offering to find a substitute.

Clarkson stated, “So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it.”

She defended her right to speak out about small businesses, asserting, “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.”

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The store, founded in 2013 by twin magicians Dan and Dave Buck along with author Adam Rubin, offered further clarification in a follow-up statement. They reiterated that Molly, the mechanical bird admired by Clarkson, is fixed to the wall and utilized in magic performances. they noted that a nearly identical version of Molly, created by Seattle artist Bliss Kolb, is available for purchase.

The shop explained, “He told us he would be willing to part with Molly’s twin for $15,000. We explained all of this to Kelly Clarkson.”

They also mentioned that they had offered Clarkson another singing bird made by a German clockmaker, available for about $2,000. “She did not stick around long enough to see it,” they added.

The online conversation surrounding the disagreement shifted towards the availability of products. Some commenters defended Clarkson’s right to share her experience.

“We never doubted you queen. Their response was in extremely poor taste,” commented one user. Others expressed concern that naming the shop could expose a small business to excessive backlash. “Wow, you’re just determined to destroy a small business, aren’t you? I hope they EXPLODE in popularity,” remarked another.

The fallout extended to the shop’s Facebook page. One user reflected positively, stating, “Anyone who’s been a fan of Kelly’s for years knows that she is incredibly kind, generous, and very humble. And she’s far from being a diva. The experience she had at that store had to be pretty bad for her to speak out about it…”

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Others scrutinized the store’s response, questioning why they hadn’t issued an apology or offered to connect Clarkson with the artist. “Why not say, ‘We can put you in touch with the maker?’” a user suggested. Another fan wrote, “Is the apology in the room with us?”

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Business Insider noted a surge in negative Google reviews linked to the dispute, though they were not visible upon later inspection. The publication also observed mixed reviews on Yelp, with some reviewers questioning the pricing while others accused Clarkson of misusing her influence against the store.

One reviewer commented, “So a celebrity walks into a small, privately owned business. She doesn’t get exactly what she wants, so she cops an attitude and trashes said small business. Even if you weren’t lying, you still did the morally wrong thing.”

Conversely, others shared their positive experiences at the shop. One woman recounted a summer visit with her family, where she felt welcomed despite the high-end merchandise. “I was a little nervous since there were some really expensive stuff in there, but I felt very welcome,” she shared.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Some commenters were more critical, asserting, “There’s no place like Art of Play. It’s one of one. Not everything there is for sale, regardless of how famous you are. Go write a song about it. Stop using your online influence to sh*t on a brick-and-mortar shop that’s as dope as Art of Play. If you’re near Brooklyn, you have to check this place out!”

This isn’t the first instance this month where Clarkson faced backlash for her public statements. Her comments on AI during an appearance on Las Culturistas drew disappointment from some fans, as reported by Mashable on October 2. “Kelly no…this isn’t you…,” one commenter expressed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

These disputes arise as Clarkson transitions to a new chapter in her television career. The Kelly Clarkson Show concluded its seven-season run on August 31, as she announced her decision to prioritize her children. Nevertheless, she continues to appear on television, returning as a coach for Season 30 of The Voice, which premiered in September.

Currently, Art of Play has reached out to Clarkson directly, hoping for an opportunity to resolve the misunderstanding privately. They stated, “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.”