A Brooklyn toy shop, Art of Play, has publicly responded to allegations of poor customer service made by celebrity Kelly Clarkson following her visit on Saturday. The independent store, known for its unique puzzles, games, and magic shows, used its X account on Sunday to clarify details surrounding the interaction and address the subsequent online backlash. The store’s statement came a day after Clarkson aired her grievances to her millions of social media followers.
"Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale." Kelly Clarkson, Singer and Talk Show Host
In her initial post on X, Kelly Clarkson, the popular "American Idol" winner and talk show host, described a disappointing experience at the Brooklyn establishment. She recounted driving a significant distance to visit the store, which she thought "looked really rad" and had a few items in mind to purchase. However, she claimed she was "looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me." Clarkson expressed her frustration directly, stating, "Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale." She dramatically compared her treatment to a scene from the film "Pretty Woman," where Julia Roberts' character is initially judged by her appearance in a high-end boutique. Clarkson concluded her post by sarcastically encouraging her 8.8 million followers to "go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman."
Art of Play swiftly issued a response on X, attempting to explain the situation from their perspective. The store specifically addressed Clarkson's inquiry about a particular item: a mechanical bird automaton named "Molly." According to the shop, "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 clarified that "Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale." This explanation suggests that the item Clarkson wished to purchase was a display piece integral to the store's unique entertainment offerings, rather than a standard retail item.
Beyond the specific item, Art of Play also defended its general customer policy and the atmosphere it cultivates. "At Art of Play, whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome," the store wrote. They highlighted that it is common for visitors to "stay for hours enjoying our puzzles, games and toys," emphasizing an inclusive and unpressured browsing environment. The store's statement did not name any specific employee involved in the interaction with Clarkson.
The repercussions of Clarkson's widely shared post were significant for the small business. Art of Play reported being "suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store." They described the experience as "surreal" to be the target of such "widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity." This sudden surge of negative attention and online commentary from individuals unfamiliar with the store or the specific incident underscored the powerful influence of celebrity endorsements and criticisms in the digital age.
In a separate development reported by Page Six, the shop reportedly published customer reviews praising the kindness of its staff following Clarkson's post, but subsequently removed them. The reasons for the removal were not immediately clear. Art of Play concluded its Sunday message by thanking its friends for their support during the challenging period. In a notable gesture, the store referenced Clarkson’s own musical catalog, quoting a line from her 2011 hit "Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)." The shop expressed hope for future reconciliation, stating, "We’re going to keep our heads down and hopefully we can clear things up with Kelly someday," and ended with, "As a talented popular singer once said “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” As of Sunday, Kelly Clarkson had not publicly responded to Art of Play's statement. The store had not announced any further actions regarding the incident.
