Kelly Clarkson accused a Brooklyn store of treating her as though she couldn’t afford its merchandise.But the business at the center of her now-viral complaint offered a different explanation.The singer and three-time Grammy winner publicly called out Art of Play on social media Saturday, writing on X that she visited the curiosity shop with “a few things in mind to buy” and was offered something comparable after being treated as though she could she could not afford what she wanted.“Wow, dude.
You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” Clarkson wrote of the employee who served her at the store.She compared the experience to the scene in “Pretty Woman” in which Julia Roberts’ character is snubbed at an upscale boutique, urging people to visit the store “if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character.”Clarkson’s accusation sparked swift backlash against Art of Play, leading many social media users to criticize the business and leave negative online reviews.
In a statement posted to Instagram on Sunday, Art of Play said Clarkson asked about purchasing Molly, a “one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton.” The mechanical bird was not for sale, the store stated, because it “plays an important role in the magic shows we host here.”“However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop,” the store wrote.It added that all visitors to Art of Play are “equally welcome.”The statement, which offered an explanation for why Clarkson could not buy the bird, did not directly address her allegation that an employee had treated her as though she “couldn’t afford” its merchandise.Art of Play described the reaction to Clarkson’s post as overwhelming.“Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store,” it added.
“It’s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such wid...