Kelly Clarkson Blasts Store After Humiliating Shopping Experience: “You’re an Idiot”

American singer Kelly Clarkson has become embroiled in a public feud with the owner of Brooklyn store Art of Play after claiming she was treated dismissively during a shopping trip. In response to the star’s accusations, the business owner insisted that the decorative item that caught her eye was never for sale. Clarkson, however, rejected the explanation and accused him of lying.

The 44-year-old singer responded to the store’s statement disputing her account of an attempt to purchase an item priced at $15,000. According to Art of Play, Clarkson was referring to a unique mechanical bird that sings and dances and forms part of the store’s decor. The shop’s representatives maintain that the figurine is permanently attached to the wall and is not available for purchase.

Clarkson shared her version of events on Instagram Stories, making no attempt to hide her sarcasm.

“Oh, of course, of course. Naturally, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the story Art of Play has decided to go with. So the entire conversation we had, when I pointed to the price tag next to the words ‘Singing Bird’ and asked if the item was for sale, simply never happened? And you didn’t look me up and down before condescendingly replying, ‘Yes, it’s for sale, but it costs $15,000. If you’d like, I can find you something similar’? None of that happened, and now suddenly it’s not for sale,” the singer wrote.

The controversy began a day earlier, when Clarkson took to X to describe an unpleasant experience at the Brooklyn store. According to the singer, she had made a special trip there because she liked the selection and planned to buy several items.

Instead of receiving a warm welcome, however, Clarkson claimed she was treated in a way that reminded her of the famous scene from the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts. In the film, Roberts’ character, Vivian, encounters condescending sales assistants who refuse to treat her as a potential customer.

“I just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out a store that looked really cool. I found several things I wanted to buy, but I was looked at as though I couldn’t afford them and was offered something similar instead. Wow, buddy. You’re an idiot, and you just lost a major sale,” the singer wrote.

The day after Clarkson’s post, representatives of Art of Play issued their own statement on social media. According to the store, the singer had expressed interest in purchasing a unique mechanical bird named Molly, which plays an important role in the magic tricks and performances staged at the establishment.

“Molly is permanently attached to the wall and is not for sale,” the representatives emphasized.

The store acknowledged, however, that Clarkson’s account of a negative shopping experience might resonate with anyone who has ever felt unwelcome as a customer. The owners also stressed that they welcome visitors regardless of their appearance or financial means.

“Imagine our surprise when eight million people who have never even been to our store suddenly descended on our small local business,” the statement read.

According to Art of Play, the episode had been a surreal experience, with a small business suddenly finding itself at the center of widespread outrage after being mentioned by a celebrity.

The store’s explanation did little to convince Clarkson. On Sunday, the singer posted another angry message, along with a blurry photograph that she claimed showed the very same mechanical bird with a price tag beside it.

“So you’re not only rude, but also a liar. Got it,” wrote Clarkson, who is a mother of two.

She also rejected any suggestion that she was using her celebrity status to target a small business.

“And, by the way, I obviously support small businesses because I literally went into a small business to buy something. I love small businesses, I know how important they are, and I always support them. But that doesn’t give you the right to look down on people and treat them like second-class citizens just because you own a small store,” she said.

In closing, the singer added that she does not usually take personal disputes public, but had decided to make an exception this time.

“Being kind to people isn’t that hard. I never air my grievances publicly, but I made an exception for you, my friend. Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you are not,” Clarkson concluded.