BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Singer Kelly Clarkson and a small toy store in Brooklyn are caught in a major social media argument after the pop star accused an employee of treating her like she couldn’t afford a expensive item.
The feud began when Clarkson posted about her visit to Art of Play, a specialty store that sells puzzles, games, and magic tricks in New York City. Clarkson shared that she felt judged by a worker, comparing her experience to a famous scene in the movie Pretty Woman, where a customer is treated poorly at a fancy clothing shop.
“Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” Clarkson wrote, telling her fans that the staff member was rude and assuming.
The Shop’s Side of the Story
After millions of people saw Clarkson’s post, the small business received an flood of negative reviews and angry online messages. The shop posted a statement on Instagram to explain its side.
Art of Play claimed that Clarkson wanted to buy “Molly,” a mechanical singing bird that is attached to the wall and used during live magic shows in the shop. According to the store, the bird was simply not for sale.
The shop added that it was unfair for millions of fans to attack a small local business over a single misunderstanding.
Clarkson Calls Out the Store
The argument did not stop there. Clarkson fired back, calling the store “liars” and posting a picture of what appeared to be a $15,000 price tag attached to the bird.
Clarkson explained that when she asked about the item, the employee looked her up and down and said in a condescending tone: “Yes, it’s for sale, but it costs $15,000, so if you’d like me to find something comparable for you, I can”.
“So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar,” Clarkson posted on social media. “Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren’t.”
