Kelly Clarkson feuds with Brooklyn toy shop over mechanical bird

Singer Kelly Clarkson publicly clashed with a toy shop in Brooklyn after a dispute over a mechanical singing bird. The online argument began after a Saturday store visit and carried into public statements across multiple social media platforms. Whether the displayed item was actually available for sale was not agreed upon by either party.

Clarkson posted on X that a worker assumed she could not afford an expensive item. She alleged the worker instead offered a less pricey comparable item.

The singer wrote that she felt like the Julie Roberts character in the 1990 film Pretty Woman. She said the shop lost a huge sale.

“You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” Clarkson wrote in her initial post.

The shop, named Art of Play, addressed the matter on Instagram. Staff said the dancing bird automaton is nicknamed Molly and is not for sale.

The business said Molly plays an important role in magic shows hosted at the Brooklyn location. The store added a reference to Clarkson’s music in its online response.

“As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’” the store wrote in its post.

Clarkson responded Sunday on X. She posted an image of what appeared to be a $15,000 price tag.

“So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it,” Clarkson wrote.

“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. It’s not that hard to be kind.”

The dispute continued on Monday with another post from the retailer. The business said the bird on display belongs to the store as a mascot.

According to the shop, creator Bliss Kolb lives in Seattle and made the machines. The store stated Kolb was willing to sell an identical twin automaton for $15,000.

“We explained that while Molly is permanently attached to the wall and serves as a de facto mascot for our shop, 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. We explained all of this to Kelly Clarkson.”

The store reported offering another singing bird automaton worth about $2,000. Workers said Clarkson did not stay to see it.

The business said it reached out to Clarkson directly to clear the air. Clarkson has not answered the Monday post.

Retail businesses often use social media accounts to communicate publicly with customers during disagreements. Independent specialty shops routinely display unique artistic pieces alongside general inventory intended for regular floor sale. Public statements allow both parties to present their accounts of customer service encounters.

A representative for the Brooklyn store was not immediately available to comment on the incident. It remained unclear Monday whether the two sides had spoken privately.