Kelly Clarkson and Brooklyn specialty store Art of Play have shared different accounts of a shopping encounter involving a mechanical singing bird. Clarkson said she felt dismissed during the exchange. The store said its display bird, Molly, was not available for purchase and provided details about other birds it said were discussed.
Key Takeaways
- Clarkson described the encounter in an October 10 post on X and compared it to a scene from Pretty Woman
- She said she felt an employee’s response suggested a concern about what she could afford
- Art of Play said Molly is a permanent display used in its magic shows
- Clarkson questioned a $15,000 price label, while the store said that price referred to a similar bird
- Art of Play said it contacted Clarkson after the public exchange
Kelly Clarkson Shares Her Account of the Visit
In an October 10 post on X, Clarkson described an exchange with an employee at Art of Play in Brooklyn. She said she felt the employee’s suggestion of another item implied that the bird she had asked about was beyond her budget.
Clarkson compared the experience to Pretty Woman, the 1990 film in which Julia Roberts’ character encounters dismissive treatment while shopping. Her comments focused on how she perceived the employee’s response.
She shared her account through social media, a channel for direct communication with fans.
Art of Play Says Molly Was a Display Piece
In an October 11 response, Art of Play described Molly as a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing automaton attached to a wall and used in the store’s magic shows. According to the business, Molly was not for sale.
The store later said Molly’s creator, Bliss Kolb, had a nearly identical bird available for $15,000. It also said staff offered to show Clarkson a different mechanical bird priced at about $2,000, but that she left before seeing it.
The Accounts Differ Over the $15,000 Label
In a follow-up post, Clarkson said a wall label reading “Singing Bird” displayed a $15,000 price and that she understood the item to be available for purchase. She also said she found the employee’s response condescending.
Art of Play said the quoted price related to a separate bird available from Molly’s creator, not the display itself. The public statements do not conclusively establish what the wall label referred to during Clarkson’s visit.
Art of Play Responds to Online Attention
Clarkson’s posts and the store’s replies circulated online, becoming part of online celebrity news discussions.
Art of Play said the attention had been overwhelming. In its October 12 statement, the store said it had contacted Clarkson directly. That statement did not announce a resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kelly Clarkson say about Art of Play?
Clarkson said she felt an employee had been dismissive when she asked about a singing bird at the Brooklyn store.
Was Molly available for purchase?
Art of Play said Molly was a permanent display used in its magic shows and was not for sale.
What was disputed about the $15,000 price tag?
Clarkson said she saw a price label on the wall. The store said the amount referred to a similar bird, leaving the label’s meaning unresolved in the public accounts.
Did the store suggest another option?
Art of Play said it offered to show Clarkson another mechanical bird. Clarkson’s public complaint focused on how the suggestion was made.
Was the disagreement resolved?
The store said on October 12 that it had contacted Clarkson. Its statement did not confirm an agreement or resolution.
