‘Kelly Clarkson Has Put Us in Danger’: Art of Play Owner Says Viral Dispute Has Led to Threats Against NYC Store

A recent public disagreement between singer Kelly Clarkson and Brooklyn’s specialty shop Art of Play has escalated into a serious controversy involving harassment and threats directed at the store and its employees. The incident has drawn considerable attention since Clarkson criticized her shopping experience at the store on social media.

The dispute began on October 10, when Clarkson took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her feelings of having been treated unfairly during a visit to Art of Play. She expressed that staff appeared to question her ability to afford a certain item, likening the situation to a scene from the film Pretty Woman. This initial critique sparked a social media conversation that rapidly intensified.

Art of Play responded publicly, contesting Clarkson’s version of events and clarifying details about the item in question—a mechanical singing bird named Molly. According to the store, Molly is an art piece permanently attached to a wall and used in live performances at the venue, created by artist Bliss Kolb. The store initially stated the bird was not for sale, which contrasted with Clarkson’s claim that an employee mentioned a $15,000 price tag and offered to find a similar item.

Further dialogue unfolded as images emerged showing a price tag displayed near Molly, prompting additional scrutiny. Art of Play elaborated in a follow-up Instagram statement that while Molly itself was not available for purchase, a nearly identical automaton by Kolb was listed at $15,000. They also indicated that a different singing bird automaton, crafted by a German clockmaker and priced around $2,000, was offered to Clarkson, who reportedly left before viewing this alternative.

Adam Rubin, co-owner of Art of Play, addressed the controversy in an interview published by Curbed. He described the entire episode as a significant misunderstanding and revealed that the incident has placed the store and its team in a precarious position. Rubin revealed that the backlash included numerous hostile communications—phone calls, emails, and negative reviews across various platforms. In some cases, individuals opposing Clarkson’s critique have faced harassment, and some have even confronted staff outside the business.

The intensity of the responses forced the shop to disable its phone line temporarily. Rubin recounted that employees encountered ongoing negative comments even through the store’s point-of-sale system while attending to customers. He underscored the severity of the situation, emphasizing the volume of threatening language and hate speech received.

Rubin also provided context about the store’s relationship with the artists whose works they offer. He explained that each automaton is a limited-edition artisan piece and that pricing such items involves direct coordination with creators. He noted in a lighthearted manner that the price of Molly had been humorously increased online due to public interest, but stressed the care taken in representing the pieces accurately.

The co-owner described the original visit as brief and relatively uneventful, lasting less than five minutes during a busy period in the shop. Rubin suggested that without Clarkson’s public comments, the interaction might have gone unnoticed. Despite the hostility online, the store has received gestures of support from the local community, including patrons bringing baked goods during a closure.

Kelly Clarkson has maintained her stance, affirming that while she supports small businesses, customers should not tolerate dismissive or disrespectful treatment. As both parties’ accounts differ, independent verification of the in-store exchange remains unavailable, leaving some aspects unresolved.

This episode highlights the complex dynamics between public figures and small businesses in the age of social media, where a single post can trigger widespread repercussions both online and offline. The situation continues to evolve as the Brooklyn shop and Clarkson navigate the fallout from their public disagreement.