'The Kelly Clarkson Debacle': Singer tries to buy an expensive item at a small business shop and gets mistreated in a 'Pretty Woman's' way, now nobody knows who was right

Author image for María Cetra
María Cetra • Writer
Oct 13, 2026 10:30 AM EDT

The Kelly Clarkson's drama is the highlight of the week, and it happened on a Sunday. 

On Sunday the 11th, singer Kelly Clarkson posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that she had visited a small business shop in Brooklyn where, when she tried to purchase a very expensive item, she was mistreated by the staff in a way that could have been out of the movie Pretty Woman. According to her, the staff's demeanor towards her as they couldn't grasp the idea that she had enough money to buy the expensive item she was intending to purchase. Kelly Clarkson is well known for her amazing voice and friendliness. She's not a problematic celebrity who's always getting involved in new drama. On the contrary, she has been popular for being especially nice to fans and always avoiding conflict. That's why this whole dilemma escalated so much. 

The way the small business replied to this whole drama was defensive. They claimed that the bird toy that the singer wanted to buy was not even for sale and that she was acting like some kind of diva trying to purchase it anyway. This was soon responded to by Kelly. She proved the bird was in fact for sale and that she wasn't just acting in a mean way. The problem was the staff attending. This made the company reply again, admitting that there was a bird toy available for purchase but that it wasn't the one the singer wanted. 

We could go on and on about who's right and who's wrong. People have already picked their sides. But there is something else that I want you to keep in mind. If this same situation had happened to someone like Kim Kardashian, to set an example, it would, of course, be news for at least a week. But it wouldn't be that big of a controversy. Let's face it, Kim has had bigger issues in her career and isn't exactly known for being kind and respectful. Not saying she isn't, just that the world would probably have taken a very different approach to the issue if it was involving her instead of Kelly. The image that the singer has created over the years makes it hard for fans to believe that she acted petulant in any way, as the small business claimed. She is always so calm and put together that it is hard to believe that she was trying to flash her money at a small shop just to buy a bird toy. 

I won't pick a side here because I'm not sure who is right and who's wrong; nobody is. People are starting to demand to see the camera footage before picking a side, and I'm with them. It is not that I want to actually see exactly what happened; it's that it is impossible to know the truth if we haven't been at the scene. Truth is, the small business definitely made a mess when handling this drama; they could have said sorry, invited Kelly Clarkson again as a way to seek forgiveness, or just avoided responding. But saying something and getting proven they lied was not the way to go. On to Kelly, she seems like a down-to-earth celebrity who tried to purchase something she liked and got mistreated. But who knows, maybe people aren't what they seem to be on screen. 

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  • 01
    Kelly Clarkson @kellyclarkson Jus. 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. 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
    via kellyclarkson
  • 02
    MN @MN4078541472235 You should always treat people equal and with kindness. You should fire the employee that made a customer service error. You should personally invite Kelly back to your store and make her feel special. I'm sure it would be a goo P. R. Stunt and help bring sales back.
    via MN4078541472235
  • 03
    TacoMamma @WETWILLY865 You were one of the last celebrities that I thought was "grounded". Guess not. Honestly, you wanted to buy something off their wall an integral part of their business and because you were told no you do this to a small shop when you have millions??? Way to go you're a
    via WETWILLY865
  • 04
    Tracy Beanz @tracybeanz Ever stop to think that she had to be pretty d ed offended to post this on socials? Ever stop to think that she isn't a moron and felt the interaction was bad enough to write this post KNOWING what it would do? It's not like this is something she does on the regular. Sorry you had a messed up experience, girl.
    via tracybeanz
  • 05
    The Cynical Yank❤ @TheCynicalYank Using your fame to try and destroy a small business because one employee hurt your ego is wild. I'd say shame on you but you have none. Gross.
    via TheCynicalYank
  • 06
    Art of Play 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. However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop. At Art of Play whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equa
    via Art of Play
  • 07
    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. However,
    via Art of Play
  • 08
    the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop. At Art of Play whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome. We greet everyone who walks in the
    via Art of Play
  • 09
    door with the invitation to "pick things up and play." And they do, many stay for hours enjoying our puzzles, games and toys. 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
    via Art of Play
  • 10
    be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity. Thanks to all our friends for their support and welcome to all the curious folks who have discovered us amidst the drama. We're going to keep our heads down and hopefully, we can clear
    via Art of Play
  • 11
    things up with Kelly someday. As a talented popular singer once said "what doesn't k l you makes you stronger"
    via Art of Play
  • 12
    Jennifer Upton Seems to me that Kelly Clarkson probably does a lot of shopping. Has she ever posted negative reviews about a store before? I think she's probably aware of what a post on social media can do and would probably think twice before posting a negative review. So, for her to actually do it seems like she felt the disrespect down to her bones.. I believe her. We all know it happens.
    via Jennifer Upton
  • 13
    Wendy Nichole. Why you changing the story from the bird was not for sale to giving the artist price?
    via Wendy Nichole
  • 14
    Kelly Clarkson @kellyclarkson 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 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 and now it's not for sale.
    via kellyclarkson
  • 15
    • Art of Play responded on Instagram on Oct. 11, 2026, stating Clarkson inquired about a unique singing and dancing bird automaton that was not for sale. Singing Bud Automata by Bliss Kolb $15,000 Molly's not for sale yet has a $15,000 price tag. Kelly Clarkson you will always be a real one. Singing Bu Automata 1
    via kellyclarkson
  • 16
    Owen @WOwenWebb To everyone in here complaining about Kelly. If they did this to any normal person you'd be all over them for "exercising their privilege" and your online brigade would be 1 starring them everywhere. Kelly effectively stands up for everyone by calling out the store but she's got "too much privilege" to do that. If the 50 follower person complains it goes nowhere. But Kelly has too many followers. Who exactly is allowed to criticize the store but have enough effect to spread the m
    via WOwenWebb
  • 17
    mattmac @matteract Keily, we all have bad days Nobody hurt you here. You are just so used to getting everything you want, the minute you want it, that you took it personally when you couldn't have that one, right now. You owe these people and your fans an apology. Your a is still hanging out for all to see right now, and we'd all like to go back to liking you.
    via matteract
  • 18
    Nigel ❤ @NigelCarreiro since u been gone the $15,000 price tag has also mysteriously disappeared
    via NigelCarreiro
  • 19
    KTE981 @KEE91781 Please G, never let me get to the level of tone deaf where I'm publicly whining about a stupid $15k TOY bird that 99% of Americans could never afford b/c they are struggling to make ends meet.
    via KEE91781
  • 20
    artofplay We'd like to clarify some additional details about Kelly Clarkson's visit to our Curiosity Shop on Saturday. During the 5 minutes she spent in the store, she inquired about our mechanical bird puppet named Molly. 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 par
    via artofplay
  • 21
    We'd like to clarify one additional detail about Kelly Clarkson's visit to our Curiosity Shop on Saturday. During the 5 minutes she spent in the store, she inquired about our mechanical bird puppet named Molly. We explained that while Molly is permanently
    via artofplay
  • 22
    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 The would be willing to part with Molly's twin for
    via artofplay
  • 23
    $15,000. 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
    via artofplay
  • 24
    stick around long enough to see it. We've reached out to Kelly directly to try and clear the air. We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding.
    via artofplay
  • 25
    tararclawson . 10 hours ago: Molly is one of a kind and was not for sale...... Now that Kelly has shown proof of a price tag next to her: well she isn't one of a kind, there's a TWIN for sale. Talk about doubling down. Good grief
    via taraclawson
  • 26
    sabaasays I have been to your store, and I have seen Molly's "Price Tag." The moody employees you hire are the problem. I may be nobody, and my experiences and opinions may mean nothing to you, but I have received the same treatment from your employees. Now, I feel better because I realize that all those times I felt like there was something wrong with me, the problem wasn't me. The problem is your employees and your refusal to acknowledge what is happening. Instead of making excuses, you should
    via sabaasays
  • 27
    QTCinderella ❤ @qtcinderella It's time to post the stores security footage or I'm gonna need a statement from the bird itself
    via qtcinderella
  • 28
    Max Berlinger @Berlinger Me and my friends monitoring the Kelly clarkson magic shop situation BWAY
    via Berlinger
  • 29
    Livie @Liv_CR_love Thinking about that time Kelly Clarkson was mistaken for a seat filler at the Grammys (after winning an award) and she was fully getting up to leave cause she didn't wanna embarrass the person by going "do you know who I am" and had to be rescued by Randy
    via Liv_CR_love
  • 30
    Sarah @heyaimsarah let the record reflect i never f clarkson your honor doubted kelly
    via heyaimsarah
  • 31
    Avatar Lorde @Chripotle 'I obviously support small businesses because I was literally at a small business trying to purchase things.' she ate that
    via Chrispotle
  • 32
    Ruby @ruby_rafaelina I didn't spend hours on the phone voting for her to win American Idol just to turn on her now. I stand with Kelly Clarkson.
    via ruby_rafaelina

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customer service celebrity news entitlement small business drama kelly clarkson
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