The unexpected spats between celebs and small businesses - from Binky Felstead's 'cakegate' to Demi Lovato's frozen yoghurt fury - as Kelly Clarkson goes to war with a NYC curiosity shop

Kelly Clarkson sparked fierce debate this week when she became embroiled in a feud with a curiosity shop in New York over her alleged mistreatment by a staffer.

The singer, 44, went head to head with the Brooklyn boutique owner online over an £11,000 singing bird.

Kelly claimed the shop assistant treated her as though she was unable to afford their products in a moment she said was reminiscent of a famous scene from Pretty Woman.

The post, viewed by more than 40 million people, triggered a huge debate over the power imbalance of stars using their platform to review independent businesses.

Yet it is not the first time an unexpected feud has broken out online between a high-profile celebrity and a small business. 

Demi Lovato came under fire back in 2021 after her 'stupid attack' at a frozen yogurt shop in Los Angeles over their excess of diet-geared inventory.

Her post sparked a wave of anger from fans claiming Demi could have 'ruined a small family business'.

Meanwhile, many local companies have accused stars of abusing their celebrity status in a bid to get freebies.

Earlier this year, British reality star Binky Felstead – who has now relocated to the States – was publicly called out for trying to request a cake without paying a penny.

Here, we recap all the stars who have endured a bitter exchange with small businesses.

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly's social media rant about her treatment at the Art of Play store was viewed by over 40million in just two days. 

The star had originally shared online that she 'drove all the way to Brooklyn' to visit the store and 'had a few things in mind to buy'.

However, upon arrival, she said she was 'looked at as if I couldn't afford it'.

'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 in the post.

'Wow, dude. You're an idiot and just lost a huge sale.'

The songstress then referenced the 1990 film Pretty Woman, which sees Julia Roberts play an unrefined sex worker who is scornfully turned away from a high-end retailer in a famous scene.

'But y'all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman,' she wrote, ending her post with a thumbs down emoji.

Fans turned out in their droves to reply with supportive comments, whilst targeting the shop in the comments section of its social media accounts. 

'People saying 'maybe he didn't know who Kelly Clarkson was' are missing the point that they should be treating their customers like everyone is Kelly Clarkson,' said one X user.

Another took aim at the staffer writing, 'I have spent most of my life in sales, and the number one lesson I have learned is that you have no idea what anyone has in their wallet.'

The store has also been flooded with numerous one-star Google reviews, pushing its previous 5-star rating to a 3.7 average.

The backlash prompted Art of Play to refute the former talk show host's story in a lengthy Instagram post, shared on Sunday. 

The store explained that Kelly inquired about a not-for-sale item, its store mascot Molly, a singing and dancing bird which is used in magic shows hosted in a small theatre at the back of 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,' the store shared in their Instagram post. 

'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.'

'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 thanked 'friends for their support' adding a welcome 'to all the curious folks who have discovered us amidst the drama'.

Quoting Kelly's famous lyric, it ended the post by writing: '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 wasn't the end of it though. Incensed by a lack of apology, social media sleuths soon pointed out that a picture of the bird shows a label next to the item that appears to list a price tag of $15,000. 

Battle lines were drawn when others loyal to the store pointed to a pinned September Instagram post on the store's account which used a photo of Molly the bird to advertise 'our favourite items not for sale'. 

When the Daily Mail visited the storefront on Sunday afternoon, police were outside. Officers had been summoned to Art of Play at 2.30pm over reports of a disorderly person, and staff were so concerned by the disturbance that they were forced to lock themselves in the store.

Shortly afterwards Kelly doubled down, claiming in another post on social media on Sunday evening that the store was 'lying' about the bird not being for sale.

'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,' she wrote, sharing the photo of what she said was the price tag. 'OK cool, so you're not only rude, you're also a liar. Got it,' she continued.

'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 [as] less than in your store just because you are a small business.

'It's not that hard to be kind,' she concluded, noting: 'I never blast people, but you my friend, were an exception. Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren't.' 

In a response to 'clarify' details about Kelly's visit Art of Play added another Instagram post on Sunday night, insisting staff explained to Kelly that 'Molly is permanently attached to the wall and serves as a de facto mascot for our shop.'

They added that 'a nearly identical automaton is owned by the creator of the machines, a brilliant artist named Bliss Kolb who lives in Seattle. He told us he would be willing to part with Molly's twin for $15,000.'

The store also said that the star was offered to be shown 'a different singing bird automaton, made by a traditional clockmaking shop in Germany, that she could have taken home with her that day. It costs about $2,000. She did not stick around long enough to see it.'

Art of Play did, however, say it had reached out to Kelly to 'clear the air'.

'We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding,' they concluded. 

Binky Felstead

Binky came under fire in May when bakery owner Reshmi Bennett, 42, who owns luxury cake business Anges de Sucre in London, took to social media to claim Binky's team had requested she make her son Wilder's third birthday cake in exchange for an Instagram post.

The post went viral and as a result a second bakery owner, who runs Funfetti cake shop, called out Binky, claiming she was ghosted by the reality star after making her wedding and birthday cake for free back in 2021. 

Binky later spoke about the ordeal as she discussed the toll it has taken on her and revealed she received death threats amid the backlash.

In an interview with The Sun, Binky said she does not regret asking for the cake from Reshmi to be gave as it is standard industry practice.

But she admitted she is 'completely at fault' for the Funfetti situation as she had agreed to a social media rollout which she did not fulfil – and has since arranged payment for the wedding cake.

Binky said that while people 'might not like gifting', it is widely used in the influencer world and claimed some small businesses find the exposure extremely valuable.

'That said, I do understand why people were frustrated,' she continued.

'While gifting is common in my industry, that doesn't automatically make it fair, especially for small businesses where costs really matter. Even if something is standard practice, it still needs to be handled thoughtfully.'

Off the back of the initial viral post, the owner of Funfetti London shared a lengthy comment detailing how Binky allegedly DMed her in 2021 asking for the baker to make her wedding and birthday cake in exchange for posts to her Instagram account and a mention in her Hello! magazine wedding spread. 

The baker claimed she accepted and made both luxury cakes, with Binky promising to be in touch and tag her on social media – but claims she was later ghosted by the star despite months of trying to reach out. 

She even claimed that when she asked Binky for £75 for travel to transport the cakes to the star's home, she refused and said she wanted 'everything inclusive' as she 'usually charges £2k for a story and £5k for a grid post'.

Commenting on Reshmi's now-viral post, the baker said: 'RESHMIIIIII I WANT TO SCREAM! I actually fell for Binky Felstead's BS back in 2021…

'She reached out to me on Instagram saying how beautiful my cakes were, then told me she was getting married and wanted both a wedding cake AND a birthday cake for her daughter.

'At the time, my cake business was just a side hustle. I was shocked, flattered, and thinking this could be *the* opportunity to grow.

'She took my number, called me straight away, loads of compliments, lots of 'I love this one' and 'that's stunning'… we discussed designs and ideas. Deep down I knew she wanted a freebie in exchange for 'exposure'… but I was younger and naive.'

She continued: 'All I asked was for travel: £25 for the birthday cake and £50 for the wedding cake.

'Her response? 'I usually charge £2k for a story and £5k for a grid post… so I'd really want everything inclusive.'

'Still… I thought about the promised exposure, mentions, even being featured in Hello magazine… so I agreed. I took an unpaid day off work, turned up to her house on a hot summer's day with 9 layers of sponge and buttercream, and built a full wedding cake in her kitchen.

'At one point I even wondered if the florist, decorators, caterers were all working for 'exposure' too… (2021 me was too trusting).'

The baker concluded the post: 'Before I left, she thanked me, said she loved it, promised tags and that her team would be in touch. Tumbleweed. I followed up in July… nothing. Again in October… nothing.

'Finally got a reply: 'Not sure how I missed this! I'll get the Hello images and can post it too - send me your invoice!'

'So I did… And guess what? Nadaaaaaaa. BIG lesson learned. Now whenever I hear her name I just cringe. Exposure doesn't pay bills. Ever.'

Demi Lovato 

In 2021, superstar Demi faced backlash after she publicly called out The Bigg Chill, a frozen yogurt shop in Los Angeles, after getting 'triggered' by the sugar-free options available.

'Finding it extremely hard to order froyo from [The Bigg Chill] when you have to walk past tons of sugar-free cookies/other diet foods before you get to the counter,' Demi wrote before adding the hashtag 'Do Better'.

The singer has been open about her past eating disorder struggles.

The store, situated on Olympic Blvd, is owned by Diane Dinow and her daughter Cary Russell, who revealed in 2011 that they average 1,000 customers a day in the week and up to 1,300 at the weekends.

Demi accused the shop of 'harmful messaging from brands or companies that perpetuate a society that not only enables but praises disordered eating'.

The establishment responded to the Sorry Not Sorry songstress in a direct message, which she subsequently posted online.

The company responded saying: 'We are not diet vultures. We cater to all of our customers needs for the past 36 years. We are sorry you found this offensive.'

Demi responded: 'Not just that. Your service was terrible. So rude. The whole experience was triggering and awful.'

She advised the business: 'You can carry things for other people while also carrying for another percentage of your customers who struggle DAILY just to even step foot in your store...

'You can find a way to provide an environment for all people with different needs. Including eating disorders - one of the deadliest mental illness only second to [opioid] overdoses. Don't make excuses, just do better.'

The What Other People Say artist then advised the business on different ways it could improve on the issue.

She penned: 'I was thinking, maybe it would help if you made it more clear that the sugar free options and vegan options are for that. Labeling the snacks for celiac or diabetes or vegans.

'When it's not super clear, the messaging gets confusing and being in LA it's really hard to distinguish diet culture vs health needs. I think clear messaging would be more beneficial for everyone. You aren't wrong for catering to many different needs but it's not about excluding one demographic to cater to others.'

Fans soon responded in anger, writing: 'What's your favorite internet beef rn mine is Demi lovato forgetting diabetics exist and fighting a frozen yogurt business in public.'

Four years later, Demi returned to the frozen yogurt shop and professed her love for the establishment.

Leona Lewis

British pop singer Leona Lewis and her father were subjected to a racist confrontation with a white shop owner in Chelsea, London.

Back in 2020, the former X Factor winner described the disgraceful attack in an emotional Instagram video.

She and her father were browsing the store, she had chosen not to name, when the owner approached them and said they were 'not allowed to touch anything' – despite other customers 'picking stuff up'.

Leona said she knew straight away they were being racially targeted and said it 'sparked a rage in her'.

'I couldn't calm down because I was so angry,' Lewis said in an emotional post. 'I knew what this woman was doing to us. 

'But my dad has been in positions like this before - same as me but in a different way - and he knew that I needed to make myself smaller, and I needed to make myself calm, and that just enraged me even more. 

'He managed to get me to leave the store, and I sat in the car that was parked around the corner from the store, and I sat in there, and I sobbed. I absolutely sobbed.'

After exiting the shop, Leona's father went back to give a copy of her CD to the store owner and five minutes later she returned to apologise.

'She said, "I'm so so sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't know who you were" and my heart kind of sank.

'[So] I confronted her and said, "You're racist. You're a racist. You targeted me and my dad, you wanted to throw us out of the store because we're black. You're racist"'.

Leona said the woman was 'very in denial' and insisted she was just 'scared'.

'This is the conditioning we have', the singer stressed. 'This is racism. So when people in the UK are saying that racism isn’t a problem here, it is a problem. It’s a big problem.

'The white people in that store left in disgust because they knew it was wrong, but they didn’t say anything. And because they didn’t say anything, the situation escalated. 

'For the people that are not speaking out now, you’re the people who just left.'

Catherine Tyldesley

Catherine Tyldesley was caught up in a 'cake gate' scandal in 2023 after a baker refused a PR's request to supply free cakes for the actress's big bash which was scheduled for September 1. 

After being embroiled in a heated online backlash, Catherine scrapped plans for the party and instead opted for a quieter celebration of the birthday milestone. 

It was reported that Catherine was 'blindsided' by online backlash surrounding a fierce row over free cake.

Catherine had hired party planners NVRLND to manage the do, but they caused controversy by asking an independent bakery to make a large birthday cake, a smaller birthday cake for Tyldesley's husband plus 100 cupcakes for free.

The company told Rebecca Severs of Three Little Birds Bakery that payment for the order would be 'in the form of promotion', but she hit back at the PR and declined the offer, saying her staff 'can't feed their kids with exposure on Instagram'.

The bash was later cancelled after a furious backlash against Catherine for the request, the Mirror reports. 

A source close to the actress said: 'Cath was blindsided by Cakegate and found the whole thing very upsetting so she's decided on a quieter celebration.

'She doesn't blame NVRLND, but the whole situation left a sour taste so she felt it best to call it off.'

NVRLND did not tell Ms Severs whose birthday celebration the request was for, simply saying it was a 'well-known celebrity'.

Ms Severs shared her response to the PR, who asked for the cakes at the height of the cost-of-living crisis, in which she said: 'I'm so sorry to hear that your client has fallen on such hard times they can't afford to pay small businesses their products.

'Unfortunately as my mortgage provider doesn't take payment "in the form of promotion on their socials", and my staff can't feed their kids with exposure on Instagram, I'll have to decline your very generous offer.' 

She received a flood of support from the public online, and later joked her bakery provides 'delicious cakes and a generous side of sarcasm when necessary'.

One social media user commented: 'Best response! Good for sticking to your guns!'

Another added: 'Good for you!' while a third wrote: 'Love it!' 

A fourth commented: 'Got yourself a new follower here, purely because this response is exactly the level of business-like sarcasm I aspire to. Fab response.'