Art of Play responds to Kelly Clarkson’s claim that she was snubbed at the Brooklyn store, saying in an Instagram post Sunday that the singer had inquired about buying a wall-mounted bird automaton that is not for sale. The statement followed Clarkson’s own account of the visit, which she posted on X on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026.
Clarkson wrote that she drove to Brooklyn to visit a store she had been looking forward to checking out and had several items in mind to purchase. “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,” she wrote.
She then called out the store directly, writing, “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 👎.” Clarkson has 8.8 million followers on X, according to Page Six.
Store’s Account Of The Kelly Clarkson Visit
Art of Play offered a different version of events in its Instagram response, published Oct. 11, 2026. According to the store, “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. Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale,” the store said, as reported by E! News.
The store did not dispute that Clarkson felt poorly treated. “However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop,” the statement read. Art of Play did not detail what its employee said to Clarkson during the exchange or describe how the conversation unfolded beyond the automaton inquiry.
What The Dueling Accounts Leave Out
The two accounts diverge on a key point. Clarkson described wanting to buy multiple items and said a male employee steered her toward a “comparable” alternative, a scenario she likened to the 1990 film Pretty Woman, in which Julia Roberts’ character Vivian Ward is turned away by sales associates who judge her by her appearance, according to Billboard. Art of Play’s version centers entirely on the Molly automaton, which it says cannot be sold at any price because of its permanent wall attachment and its role in the store’s magic shows.
Neither account has been independently verified, and no statement has been issued by the specific employee Clarkson referenced. It also remains unclear from either party’s statements what other items, if any, Clarkson intended to purchase during the visit.
Store Describes Backlash After Clarkson’s Post
Art of Play said the fallout from Clarkson’s post was immediate and overwhelming for a business of its size. “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,” the store wrote.
The statement closed on a conciliatory note, with the store referencing a Clarkson lyric. “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,'” Art of Play wrote.
Clarkson had not issued a follow-up statement responding to Art of Play’s account as of Sunday evening. The store has not detailed whether it plans any changes to how it handles customer interactions going forward.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
