Kelly Clarkson responded to a New York store’s denial that she had obtained the Pretty woman treatment when shopping in their store.
On Saturday, Clarkson posted, “I just drove to Brooklyn to visit this store that I thought was really awesome and I had a few things in mind to buy and I literally got looked at like I couldn’t afford it and told they could find something comparable for me. Wow, man. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale. But y’all should go see Art of Play in Brooklyn if you like being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty woman. Sure, take a look 👎”
According to its website, Brooklyn-based Art of Play sells home goods, puzzles, games, toys and books and also has a 26-seat theater that hosts magician shows. On Sunday, Art of Play responded on its social media, denying Clarkson’s version of events.
“Yesterday, Kelly Clarkson visited us in Brooklyn and asked us how to purchase ‘Molly,’ a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing automaton bird that plays an important role in the magic shows we put on here,” the post read. “Molly is permanently attached to the wall and is not for sale. However, the negative experience Kelly described on Twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a store.
“At Art of Play, whether someone comes to make a purchase or just look around for a while, they are also welcome. We greet everyone who walks through the door with the invitation to ‘pick up things 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 had never visited our store. It was a surreal experience to be at the center of such outrage after just one celebrity mention.
“Thank you to all our friends for their support and welcome to all the curious folks who discovered us in the midst of the drama. We’ll keep our heads down and hopefully we can clear things up with Kelly one day. As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’
That last line, of course, is a lyric from the chorus of Clarkson’s 2011 hit song, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).”
Clarkson, however, followed up on Sunday with her own response in which she accused Art of Play of not sharing an accurate version of what happened.
“Cool, cool. Of course it wasn’t for sale,” she wrote. “That’s the story that Art of Play is going to accompany đź‘Ť so the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale while pointing to the price tag on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn’t happen because you looked at me in the elevator and said in a condescending tone ‘yes, it’s for sale but it’s $15,000 so if you want me to find something comparable for you I can.’ All of this never happened and now it’s no longer for sale. Okay, cool. So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Understood âś…
“And by the way, I obviously support small business because I was literally in a small business trying to buy things. I love small business and I know they’re important and I always support them, but you don’t get a free pass to treat people less than you would in your store just because you’re a small business. It’s not that hard to be nice. I never criticize people but you, my friend, were an exception.
“Your store is really cool.
“Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”
In his response, Clarkson reposted an image taken showing a price tag of $15,000 next to the item in question and which someone had captioned: “Molly is not for sale, but her price is $15,000. Kelly Clarkson, you will always be a real one.”
After this story was published, a reader of The Hollywood Reporter emailed to point out that the store has been referring to this particular item as its mascot for some time.
Clarkson, who returns as coach for NBC’s 30th season The Voice, recently ended its eponymous talk show after seven seasons.
Gn entert
