Kelly Clarkson accused an Art of Play novelty shop employee in Brooklyn of treating her as though she could not afford the merchandise, sparking online backlash before the store defended itself by stating the item she wanted was a non-sale installation.
Kelly Clarkson Claims Brooklyn Curiosity Shop Dismissed Her
The Grammy winner took to X on October 10 to voice her frustration over a visit to the Art of Play novelty shop on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights. Art of Play was opened in Brooklyn Heights in 2024 after being transplanted from San Diego by identical twin founders Dan and Dave Buck, and it also houses an intimate theater that hosts performances from close-up magicians. Clarkson moved her two children, River Rose and Remington, from Los Angeles to New York City in 2023 as part of an overhaul to her daytime talk show, relocating after the death of their father, Brandon Blackstock.
According to the singer, an employee looked her up and down based on her casual clothing and assumed she lacked the funds to shop there. She recounted that staff offered to locate cheaper alternatives rather than showing her the items she had selected.
“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.”
Kelly Clarkson, singer and talk show host
Clarkson punctuated her post by comparing the awkward encounter to the iconic 1990 film Pretty Woman
, wherein Julia Roberts’ character Vivian Ward is dismissed by upscale boutique clerks who assume she cannot pay for their merchandise.
Store Defends Employee Actions Over Non-Sale Item
The small Brooklyn business offered a very different explanation for what transpired inside the shop. In a statement posted to Instagram on October 11, the store clarified that the musician had inquired about acquiring a permanent fixture.
The item in question was Molly,
described by the establishment as a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton that is permanently attached to the wall.
While the business addressed why the sale could not happen, it did not directly tackle Clarkson’s assertion that an employee treated her with condescension. Even so, the owners acknowledged the emotional weight of her complaint.
“However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop.”
Art of Play, via Instagram statement
Public Opinion Divides Online Following the Incident
Art of Play reported being suddenly attacked by millions of internet users who had never set foot inside the store, calling the widespread outrage a surreal experience.
At the same time, local patrons and other supporters rallied behind the business, leaving positive reviews and praising the staff’s usual helpfulness. The store ultimately thanked its community for backing them through the controversy and welcomed new visitors discovering the shop through the headlines.
We’re going to keep our heads down and hopefully, we can clear things up with Kelly someday.
Art of Play, via Instagram statement
Whether the singer and the shop owners will ever communicate directly to resolve the disagreement remains unknown.