Kelly Clarkson has hit back at a Brooklyn store after it issued an apology over her recent shopping experience.
The dispute began when the singer visited Art of Play on Saturday, October 10. She later shared her frustration on X, saying she felt judged by a staff member while browsing the store.
Art of Play responded by explaining that Clarkson had asked about buying a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton named Molly. The store said the item was permanently attached to a wall and was not for sale.
Clarkson challenged that explanation just hours after the statement appeared online.
Singer Accuses Art of Play of Lying
In her response, Clarkson said she had asked about the bird after noticing a price tag on the wall. She claimed a staff member told her the item was available for $15,000 and offered to find something similar.
The singer said the store’s latest statement did not match the conversation she remembered.
“So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar,” Clarkson wrote in her post.
She also pushed back against any suggestion that her criticism meant she did not support small businesses.
Clarkson said she had visited the store because she wanted to buy items there. She added that she values small businesses and understands their importance.
However, she argued that being a small business does not excuse treating customers poorly.
“It’s not that hard to be kind,” she wrote, adding that she rarely calls people out publicly but felt this situation was an exception.
Kelly Clarkson Shares Details of Shopping Experience
Clarkson first spoke about the incident on October 10. She said she had driven to Brooklyn after seeing the store and had several items in mind to purchase.
Instead, she claimed, a staff member looked at her as though she could not afford the products. She also said the employee offered to find her something comparable.
The singer’s public response has kept the disagreement in the spotlight, with the store’s explanation and Clarkson’s account presenting different versions of the exchange.
Clarkson Ends Her Response With a Sharp Remark
Despite her criticism, Clarkson acknowledged that she liked the store itself.
She described Art of Play as a cool shop but made it clear that her experience with the staff had changed her impression.
The dispute centres on two conflicting accounts: the store says the bird was not for sale, while Clarkson maintains that a staff member quoted a price. The disagreement has also sparked a broader conversation about customer service and how businesses treat visitors.