Kelly Clarkson welcomed back to Brooklyn store amid bird dispute

Kelly Clarkson is welcome to return to Art of Play, the Brooklyn curiosity shop at the center of a public dispute over a mechanical bird, according to co-owner Adam Rubin. In an interview with PEOPLE, Rubin stated the singer is “welcome anytime” despite their disagreement regarding her recent visit to the store.

The controversy began on October 10 when Clarkson posted on X that she visited Art of Play intending to buy several items but felt staff treated her as though she could not afford them. She compared the experience to the boutique scene in Pretty Woman, alleging that an employee assumed she could not afford a singing bird automaton named Molly, which was displayed with a $15,000 price tag. Clarkson claimed she was steered toward a cheaper alternative instead of the item she wanted.

Art of Play disputed Clarkson’s account, explaining that Molly is a one-of-a-kind piece designed by Seattle artist Bliss Kolb that is permanently attached to the wall and not available for purchase. The shop later clarified that a nearly identical automaton could be ordered through its creator for $15,000. Staff also claimed they offered Clarkson a similar item for $2,000, but she left before viewing it. Clarkson subsequently challenged the store’s explanation, sharing a photograph of Molly’s price tag and accusing the shop of being rude and dishonest.

Security footage obtained by journalist Pablo Torre and aired on his podcast, “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” shows Clarkson in the store for four minutes and 50 seconds. The video, which has no audio, depicts her browsing the shop, playing with a telescope, and interacting briefly with a shopkeeper about Molly. Before leaving, Clarkson is seen turning around at the doorway, appearing angry while speaking to a man at the front cash register.

The dispute has drawn significant attention, with Clarkson’s initial social media post drawing more than 41 million views on X. In response to the increased public interest, Art of Play raised the price of the bird to $15 million. Rubin described the situation as a labeling gap common in specialty retail, where commission prices are displayed near non-sale objects without clear distinction.