Art of Play lists bird at center of Kelly Clarkson feud for $15M | Exclusive

Art of Play lists bird at center of Kelly Clarkson feud for $15M Exclusive.

Key points

• Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin remarked Kelly Clarkson "used her platform to attack us." Video Team – USA TODAY Entertainment.
• Some sided with the New York-owned shop and argued Clarkson was punching down at a local business.
• Art of Play store owner fears safety of workers after Kelly Clarkson visit.
• With all the attention, Rubin remarked he decided to list the bird for sale for $15 million.

Art of Play lists bird at center of Kelly Clarkson feud for $15M Exclusive. Christopher Cann, Taijuan Moorman USA TODAY.

Art of Play co-owner notes Kelly Clarkson 'put us in danger' Exclusive.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute with Kelly Clarkson, New York City specialty store Art of Play has been met with both backlash and backing – and it's responding by listing the animatronic bird at the center of the controversy for sale at a massive markup.

Meanwhile, the curiosity shop in Brooklyn has been embroiled in a back-and-forth with the singer. This person took to social media on Oct. 10 to accuse the store of treating her as if she couldn't afford a $15, 000 mechanical singing bird named Molly. She compared her visit that day to the famous scene from "Pretty Woman, " in which Julia Roberts' character is turned away from a high-end boutique.

For context, the shop responded with a series of statements pushing back on Clarkson's claims, saying the yellow wooden bird was not for sale and calling what happened a misunderstanding. Clarkson fired back with another post, calling the shop owner "rude" and a "liar."

Meanwhile, the feud rapidly went viral online. Some sided with the New York-owned shop and argued Clarkson was punching down at a local business. Others defended the singer and shared their experiences of being slighted by salespeople. New footage demonstrates Kelly Clarkson inside Brooklyn store Art of Play.

Adam Rubin, 43, one of the co-owners of Art of Play, informed USA TODAY the store has been overwhelmed since Clarkson blasted the shop to her 8.8 million followers on X. He remarked the store's phone and emails have been flooded with threatening messages, and their neighbors have been doxxed.

Meanwhile, sales have surged and they're seeing a spike in foot traffic. After the controversy, Rubin stated the bird is now on sale and upped the cost to $15 million. "This has been a very surreal experience, " he remarked.

Rubin remarked the day after Clarkson's post, the store began receiving threatening phone calls and nasty online reviews. He remarked a neighbor called the police after one person entered the store and accused its employees of racially profiling Clarkson.

"We are afraid for the safety of our shopkeepers, " Rubin remarked. "Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger."

In her initial post, Clarkson remarked she was "literally was looked at as if I couldn't afford" the bird, "and was told he could find something comparable for me." In Art of Play's social media responses, the firm stated the bird "is permanently attached to the wall and isn't for sale" but that it offered to show her another singing bird produced by a different artist. It cost $2, 000.

Art of Play, located in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, offers an eccentric collection of home goods and puzzles that includes everything from a $1, 200 applause machine to custom playing cards. In the back of the shop there's a 26-seat theater where magic demonstrates are put on.

Rubin remarked no one in the shop recognized Clarkson when she walked in. He continued that the store was "packed" and that Clarkson was there for "less than five minutes."

"We treated her like a normal person but apparently that did not live up to her expectations, " Rubin remarked, alleging that Clarkson scolded an employee. He did not provide further details.

"Nothing happened in this shop to justify her scolding our shopkeeper on the way out, but I could let that go. Everybody has a bad day, " he remarked. "But things changed when she applied her platform to attack us. It's asymmetrical social warfare." Art of Play lists Molly the bird on sale for $15M.

Clarkson has pushed back on the shop's claim that Molly the bird was not for sale. In a post on X, Clarkson included a photo of a cost tag next to the bird that reads $15, 000.

Rubin remarked the rate tag did not refer to Molly. Instead, the tag indicated how much it would cost to order a custom bird from its creator, Seattle artist Bliss Kolb.

"We have our automaton. So plenty of residents asked regarding it that we put a rate on it, " Rubin stated. "We talked to the creator and if someone showed serious interest, we would reach out to him about getting them an automaton."

"They take years to make, " he remarked. "This is not something that's sitting in a warehouse."

He remarked he already knows what he would do if someone purchased Molly. He remarked he would provide every employee in the shop $15, 000 and pay the bird's creator $1 million. With the rest of the funds, Rubin would purchase a load of antique automatons.

Meanwhile, the antiques would be housed in a sizeable glass display, he continued. Above the display, he'd put up a sizeable sign reading "Not for sale." Neighbors, visitors weigh in on the feud.

Despite the backlash, Rubin – who cut his recovery from a skin cancer operation short to support the shop manage – stated the store has received backing from the local community. As has the number of in-store purchases, sales online have surged.

On Monday, Oct. When the shop was closed, individuals left gifts and pastries for the shopkeepers, 12. "People are coming here almost entirely in support, " Rubin remarked.

Paul Lipson, 80, of Michigan, visited the store on Oct. 13 with his wife and daughter, whom he is visiting. They heard regarding the controversy and wanted to see the shop for themselves. "The store is great, " Lipson remarked. "It's very unique." Speaking regarding the feud, Lipson stated the "whole thing is silly."

"Sometimes there are situations that just get out of hand, " he remarked. "It's much to do about nothing."

Zach Thomas, 40, lives near the shop and has attended its magic demonstrates. He remarked he was shocked by what happened over the weekend.

"It's a crazy misunderstanding, " he remarked, describing the workers as the "nicest people in the world." He went on that Molly is a celebrity in the neighborhood. "Everyone knows that bird, " he remarked. Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, art of Play lists bird at center of Kelly Clarkson feud for is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.