Singer Kelly Clarkson’s simple store visit has been blown out of proportion after a dispute over the sale of a mechanical singing bird led the shop owners to list it for $15 million.
The artist said her conflict with an opulent “curious shop” in Brooklyn, New York City, began when she asked to buy the wooden item.
Co-owner Adam Rubin explained that Molly, the listed bird, was listed at such a price due to the public awareness it had raised since the dispute trended.
A post sparking backlash and duelling accounts
The developing argument ignited on Saturday when Clarkson exposed disrespectful staff at Art of Play on her official X account.
“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,” her post wrote.
She then compared the scenario to the shopping scene in the film “Pretty Woman.”
“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.”
Negative online reviews soon flooded the store after her post went viral.
The bird behind the drama
Molly is a wooden, crank-operated automaton made by artist Bliss Kolb.
Art of Play defended in a statement on Sunday that the bird is a unique piece and not for sale, considering its vital role in the shop’s magic shows and permanent attachment to the wall.
Clarkson countered that account through her Instagram Stories on the same day, saying, “[S]o 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.’ That all never happened and now it’s not for sale.”
Store pushes back as footage surfaces
The shop released a second statement on Monday, emphasising that Clarkson was informed about a nearly identical bird owned by Seattle artist Kolb that she could buy for the same price she claimed was initially listed for Molly.
A German-made singing bird was also offered to her for around $2,000, but the singer left before seeing it.
She only stayed in the establishment for five minutes, according to Art of Play.
Podcaster Pablo Torre added noise to the dispute on Tuesday when he posted security camera footage of the visit.
The video shows Clarkson picking up items, approaching Molly and speaking with an employee.
However, its lack of audio did not settle what was said.
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An unlikely feud
Rubin said the fallout has affected employees, particularly the online attacks that resulted in nonstop harassment.
The store’s co-owner also invited Clarkson to a 21+ magic show at the shop if she is willing to make peace.
He said the proceeds from a sale of Molly would fund a display dedicated to automata.
Representatives for Clarkson and Art of Play did not immediately respond to several outlets’ requests for comment.
As of Friday, there was no public indication that the two sides had spoken directly.
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