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A certain Brooklyn store is facing even more backlash from social media users after they released a statement about his recent encounter with the singer Kelly Clarkson. In an Instagram post, Art of Play, a local store that sells playing cards, puzzles and books, hit back at Clarkson after the “Since U Been Gone” actress said she was treated unfairly by a store employee. However, the response did little to clear the air. In fact, netizens rushed to the comments to share even more critical statements, saying they didn’t think it brought true accountability.
What happened to Kelly Clarkson at Brooklyn Specialty Shop?
I just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really radical and had a few things in mind to buy and was literally looked at like I couldn’t afford it Wow, my friend. You are an idiot and just lost a big sale. But you should go see Art of Play in Brooklyn if you like being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman. Definitely, check it out 👎
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 10, 2026
According to a previous report from The Blast, Clarkson traveled to Brooklyn to visit Art of Play. In X’s post, she said the store “looked really radical” and that she was interested in buying “a few things”.
Clarkson didn’t share what she was interested in buying at the time, but said an employee looked at her “like I couldn’t afford it and was told he could get me something similar.”
In her original post, Clarkson said she was disappointed by the employee’s poor treatment, calling her an “idiot” who lost a “huge sale”.
The Exclusive Store responds to Kelly Clarkson after being slammed with negative reviews
Clarkson’s post drew attention from millions, leading to a flood of negative reviews on the company’s Google and Instagram pages.
A day later, Art of Play addressed the situation with a lengthy statement and shared their version of events. In their post, the store said that Clarkson asked about buying a piece called “Molly”.
According to the store, it’s a “one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton” that plays an “important role in the store’s magic shows.”
Was Clarkson able to buy the singing bird?
The statement went on to say that Molly, who is permanently attached to the wall, is not for sale. Despite this, the store said Clarkson’s “negative experience will resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a store.
Art of Play ended the post by thanking friends for supporting the business during this difficult time. “We’re going to keep our heads down, and hopefully we can clear things up with Kelly someday. As a popular, talented singer once said, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.'”
Kelly Clarkson does not accept the shop’s statement, doubling down on what she said
Clarkson wasted no time hitting back at Art of Play in a second post, which has now been viewed by more than six million people, and blasted them for trying to spin the “narrative”.
She said, “So the whole conversation we had didn’t happen when I asked if it was for sale while pointing to the price hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird, as you looked at the elevator, I said in a condescending tone, ‘Yes, it is for sale, but it costs 15,000 dollars, so if you want me to do something find, i can compare.
Clarkson continued, “Okay, cool. So, not only are you rude, you’re also a liar. I got it.”
The Brooklyn store was hit with even more criticism after a post
Netizens quickly responded to Art of Play, calling them out for releasing what some described as a “shocking statement.”
“Girl, stop lying, that bird you say has a tag and we already saw some pictures of it with the price,” someone else wrote.
Joey Camasta also said, “I was literally there in August and I saw Molly, it was priced. It was definitely for sale.”
A local from Brooklyn also joined in and seemed to confirm Clarkson’s experience by sharing their own. “I live nearby. You have such a good shop but as there have been several times I have encountered rude or rude behavior by your employees to us or to other customers. So I leave without buying and return hoping that the next time will be different. And several friends have had the same experience,” they wrote.
