Brooklyn Shop Answers Kelly Clarkson's $15,000 Bird Claim

A Brooklyn curiosity shop is once again defending itself after Kelly Clarkson accused the business of mistreating her and then changing its story about a pricey singing bird ornament.

Clarkson, 44, first raised the issue in a post on Saturday, October 10, saying that during a visit to New York City's Art of Play, an employee looked at her as though she could not afford the item and offered to find something comparable. She compared the experience to Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman.

The following day, Sunday, October 11, the talk show host and American Idol winner pushed back further, claiming the store had lied when it said the ornament was not for sale. That prompted Art of Play to issue another public response.

In its statement posted to Instagram, the shop said Clarkson spent about five minutes inside and asked about a mechanical bird puppet called Molly. According to Art of Play, Molly is fixed to the wall and acts as an informal mascot for the store, so it is not available for purchase. The store said it explained that a nearly identical machine belongs to Bliss Kolb, the artist in Seattle who created the devices, and that Kolb had indicated he would sell Molly's twin for $15,000.

The shop also said it offered to show Clarkson another singing bird automaton, this one made by a traditional clockmaking business in Germany, which she could have taken home that same day for about $2,000. According to the store, she did not remain long enough to view it.

Despite the apparent miscommunication, Art of Play extended an apology and said it had contacted Clarkson directly in an effort to resolve the matter, adding that it hopes the two sides can someday laugh about the misunderstanding.

Earlier on Sunday, Clarkson had responded to the store's initial statement that the singing bird was not for sale. In a post on X, she disputed the store's account of their conversation, saying she had pointed to a price tag on the wall labeled "Singing Bird" and was told the item was available for $15,000, with an offer to find something comparable. She wrote that the store was now claiming the item was not for sale and called the business both rude and dishonest.

Clarkson also stressed that she had visited the shop specifically to support a small business. In the same post, she wrote, "And by the way, I obviously support small businesses because I was literally at a small business trying to purchase things. I love small businesses and know they are important and I always support them, but you don't get a free pass to treat people less than in your store just because you are a small business. It's not that hard to be kind. I never blast people but you, my friend, were an exception. Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren't," according to Celebrity News: Latest Celeb News & Pictures - Us Weekly.

The back-and-forth has drawn attention to Art of Play, a Brooklyn retailer known for unusual and interactive items, and raised questions about how small businesses handle high-profile customers and public criticism. Neither Clarkson nor the store has indicated whether the dispute has been resolved.