‘Kelly Clarkson has put us all in danger’: Brooklyn store owner speaks out on threats and abuse as bird feud rages
The owner of Art of Play, a Brooklyn curiosity shop, says his staff now fear for their safety after Kelly Clarkson publicly bashed the store. Separately, a podcast has aired security footage that it says shows the singer’s visit. Adam Rubin, who owns the shop, told TMZ that the backlash has included thousands of calls and messages. “We are worried about the safety of our shopkeepers,” Rubin said.…
Adam Rubin, owner of the Brooklyn curiosity shop Art of Play, expressed concern over the safety of his staff following Kelly Clarkson's public criticism of the store. The backlash included thousands of calls, messages, and threats. Rubin stated, "Kelly Clarkson has put us all in danger by using her platform." He added that the store had received a "barrage of threats from Kelly Clarkson fans" and that they had no idea such reactions would transpire.
The dispute began on October 10 when Clarkson posted on X that she made a trip to Art of Play, where she encountered a staff member who treated her as if she could not afford anything. She compared the experience to a scene from Pretty Woman, in which Julia Roberts's character is snubbed by a snobbish salesperson. Clarkson called the employee an "idiot" who "just lost a huge sale" and sarcastically suggested the shop to anyone who wished to be treated similarly.
The item Clarkson desired was a $15,000 mechanical bird, which the shop claims was never for sale. Staff recommended an alternative. On October 13, a podcast aired security footage that appeared to show Clarkson visiting the shop. However, it has not been confirmed if the woman in the video is indeed the singer. The footage, timestamped at around 2:50 p.m. ET, shows a woman in a yellow T-shirt, a baseball cap, and a backpack entering the crowded store and stopping at a wall-mounted mechanical bird puppet called "Molly."
After speaking briefly with an employee, she walks away, leaving the employee confused and pointing towards his colleague. Rubin claimed that the store has faced online attacks and demands for an apology, with most critics having never visited the shop. Additionally, defenders of the store have also been targeted, with some receiving cruel comments about their pets and medical conditions.
Despite the anger, Rubin believes Clarkson's frustration stemmed from being treated like an ordinary customer and is open to reconciling with her.
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