Brooklyn Store Responds After Kelly Clarkson Doubles Down on Feud: ‘We Really Do Wish Her the Best’

Art of Play, a Brooklyn, N.Y. art store, has issued a statement regarding Kelly Clarkson's recent visit to their Curiosity Shop. The statement comes after the singer criticized the store for allegedly giving her the "Pretty Woman" treatment, referring to the 1990 film where Julia Roberts' character is treated poorly in a high-end shop. In a Monday (Oct. 12) post on Instagram, Art of Play clarified some additional details about Clarkson's visit.

During her brief 5-minute stay, the store employee explained that the mechanical bird puppet, named Molly, was permanently attached to the wall and could not be purchased. They also mentioned that a nearly identical automaton owned by artist Bliss Kolb in Seattle could be bought for $15,000. Art of Play stated that they offered to show Clarkson a similar singing bird automaton from a traditional German clockmaking shop, which cost $2,000. However, Clarkson allegedly did not stay long enough to see this alternative option.

Art of Play reached out to Clarkson directly to try and resolve the situation and expressed their desire to clear the air. The Grammy winner's online feud with the store has caused a stir on the internet over the past few days. The conflict began when Clarkson wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Oct. 10 that an employee had looked at her as if she couldn't afford the items and was told he could find something comparable for her.

Clarkson called the employee "an idiot" and encouraged others to check out Art of Play if they enjoy being treated like the "Pretty Woman" character. Art of Play responded by clarifying that Molly is permanently attached to the wall and not for sale, which led Clarkson to further criticize the store, claiming they were "rude and also a liar."