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Kelly Clarkson and Art of Play public dispute

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2026-10-18 02:02 UTC → 2026-10-20 01:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Singer Kelly Clarkson is engaged in a public social media dispute with Art of Play, a boutique in Brooklyn, New York, after alleging she was treated condescendingly by staff. Clarkson claimed employees treated her as if she could not afford certain items, comparing the encounter to the film ‘Pretty Woman’. Art of Play responded by stating the conflict stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding ‘Molly’, a unique singing and dancing bird automaton that is a permanent fixture and not for sale. The shop noted they had offered to help Clarkson find similar pieces ranging from approximately $2,000 to $15,000. Clarkson countered this by posting a photo of the bird which she claims featured a visible price tag, accusing the store of being dishonest about the interaction. As the exchange gained viral traction, reaching tens of millions of views, the retailer expressed shock at the scale of the backlash, stating the store felt ‘attacked by 8 million people’. Shop co-owner Adam Rubin reported that the business has faced review bombing, harassment, and threats from Clarkson’s followers, describing the situation as a ‘surreal experience’ and a ‘reprehensible abuse of power’. Amidst the controversy, Rubin announced that the ‘Molly’ automaton is now available for $15 million due to high demand. Security footage released by journalist Pablo Torre showed Clarkson browsing the store for approximately five minutes; while the video shows her interacting with staff and appearing to express frustration to a cashier before exiting, it lacks audio to confirm the exact nature of the verbal exchange. Following the incident, Art of Play attempted to contact Clarkson through multiple channels, though the singer has not yet responded to their outreach. Despite the controversy, Art of Play has reportedly seen increased foot traffic and support from local neighbors.

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