A small New York City retailer has denied claims from American pop superstar Kelly Clarkson that it dismissed her interest in a $US15,000 (AU$21,600) wall ornament, in a dispute that has angered her legion of fans online.
The American Idol winner and multi-platinum singer host took to X on Sunday, alleging Brooklyn curiosity shop Art of Play brushed off her interest in Molly, a hand-cranked automaton that mimics a small, singing bird.
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“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,” Clarkson said.
The Since U Been Gone singer claimed a shop assistant offered to find her a comparable item, implying the assistant did not think Clarkson could afford the ornament.
“Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” she added.
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“But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman.“
Hundreds of Clarkson fans descended on Art of Play’s Instagram account after the singer’s post, accusing it of mistreating a customer who clearly had the funds to purchase any item in the store.
Art of Play responded on its Instagram profile, saying Molly is one of the few items shown in-store that is not for sale.
Molly is a “one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here,” according to the store.
“Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store,” the business added.
“It’s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity.”
Art of Play said the store hoped to “clear things up” with Clarkson.
“As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’”
Price tag post fuels dispute
But that post did not settle the dispute, with Clarkson sharing a second post on X that included an image appearing to show a $15,000 price tag fixed to the wall next to Molly.
Clarkson claimed she pointed to the price tag in her initial exchange with the shop assistant, who responded with a “condescending tone” and an offer to find a comparable item.
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“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,” she said.
“It’s not that hard to be kind. I never blast people but you my friend were an exception.”
Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. 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… pic.twitter.com/9PEhUWnIOt
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 11, 2026
Art of Play then released a second statement, saying that while Molly was not for sale, the $15,000 price tag represented the cost of purchasing a “nearly identical automaton” owned by Molly’s creator Bliss Kolb.
“He told us he would be willing to part with Molly’s twin for $15,000,” according to Art of Play.
“We explained all of this to Kelly Clarkson.
“We also offered to show her 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.”
The business said it has contacted the singer directly to settle a “misunderstanding”.
That statement did not seem to quell all of Clarkson’s fans, many of whom continue to accuse Art of Play of mistreating its celebrity customer.
However, Clarkson has yet to publicly respond to the business’ latest Instagram post about the dispute.
Elsewhere, customers of the curiosity shop have shared their support for a niche retailer facing extraordinary public scrutiny.
“People are about to find our Art of Play has an army of love and support behind them,” said one commenter.
Unexpectedly, the Clarkson incident also appears to have heightened the business’ public profile.
“I had never heard of you until this nonsense but now I can’t wait to visit when we come to New York,” said another commenter.