Kelly Clarkson has responded to a New York shop’s denial that she got the Pretty Woman treatment while shopping in their store.
On Saturday, Clarkson posted: “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. But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman. For sure, check it out 👎”
According to its website, Brooklyn-based Art of Play sells home goods, puzzles, games, toys and books and also features a 26-seat theater that hosts performances by magicians. On Sunday, Art of Play responded on its social media, denying Clarkson’s version of events.
“Yesterday, Kelly Clarkson visited us in Brooklyn and inquired about buying ‘Molly,’ a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here,” the post reads. “Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale. However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop.
“At Art of Play whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome. We greet everyone who walks in the door with the invitation to ‘pick things up and play.’ And they do, many stay for hours enjoying our puzzles, games and toys.
“Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store. It’s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity.
“Thanks to all our friends for their support and welcome to all the curious folks who have discovered us amidst the drama. We’re going to keep our heads down and hopefully, we can clear things up with Kelly someday. As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’”
That last line, of course, is a lyric from the chorus of Clarkson’s 2011 hit song “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).”
Clarkson, however, followed up on Sunday with her own response in which she accused Art of Play of not sharing an accurate version of what went down.
“Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale,” she wrote. “That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with 👍 so the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale whilst pointing to the price tag hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn’t happen as you elevator eyed me saying in a condescending tone ‘yes, it’s for sale but it costs 15,000 dollars so if you’d like me to find something comparable for you I can.’ That all never happened and now it’s not for sale. Okay, cool. So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it ✅
“And by the way, I obviously support small businesses because I was literally at a small business trying to purchase things. I love small businesses and know they are important and I always support them, but you don’t get a free pass to treat people less than in your store just because you are a small business. It’s not that hard to be kind. I never blast people but you my friend were an exception.
“Your store is really cool.
“Unfortunately, you aren’t.”
In her response, Clarkson reposted an image that had been taken showing a $15,000 price tag next to the item in question that someone had captioned: “Molly’s not for sale yet has a $15,000 price tag. Kelly Clarkson you will always be a real one.”
After this story was published, a reader of The Hollywood Reporter emailed to point out that the store has been referring to this particular item as its mascot for quite some time and that there have been other posts noting that it is not for sae.
Clarkson, who’s returning as a coach on the 30th season of NBC’s The Voice, recently wrapped her eponymous talk show after seven seasons.
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