‘Kelly Clarkson Has Put Us in Danger’: Art of Play Owner Says Viral Dispute Has Led to Threats Against NYC Store
Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin says the Brooklyn shop and people connected to it have faced harassment and threats after Kelly Clarkson criticised her shopping experience online. He described the dispute as an “insane misunderstanding” and said the attention has made staff feel unsafe and harder for customers to contact the business.
The disagreement began after Clarkson said she felt judged when asking about a mechanical singing bird called Molly. The shop said Molly is part of its magic shows and not for sale, but that a similar automaton was available for $15,000 and an alternative cost about $2,000; it says Clarkson left before seeing that option. Rubin said the shop received calls, emails and negative reviews, and turned off its phone amid the influx of messages.
- Art of Play says backlash has brought threats and harassment.
- Clarkson and the shop gave different accounts of a bird automaton inquiry.
- The shop says an alternative item cost about $2,000.
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Art of Play is a shop in Brooklyn that sells unusual toys and objects, and also stages magic shows. Molly, the mechanical singing bird at the centre of the dispute, is used in those shows and is not for sale; the shop says it offered other automaton birds at different prices.
Kelly Clarkson is a singer and television presenter whose comments can reach a large audience. The disagreement has drawn attention to how a public account of a shop visit can affect a small business and the people who work there, especially when online responses include direct threats or harassment.
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The case for
Clarkson was entitled to describe an interaction that left her feeling judged, and sharing that experience can help customers discuss how businesses treat them. If the shop’s explanation was unclear or dismissive, public criticism may prompt it to reflect on how staff communicate, even if the item was not for sale.
The case against
The shop says Molly was a performer in its shows, not an item for sale, and that staff offered other automata at different prices; it also says Clarkson left before hearing about one option. Online criticism can spread beyond the original account and bring a small business unwanted calls, hostile reviews and threats, potentially making staff feel unsafe and disrupting ordinary customer contact.