Kelly Clarkson's Body Language at Brooklyn Shop Implies She Expected 'Star Treatment,' Expert Says

The controversy from Kelly Clarkson's highly publicised visit to the Brooklyn homeware store Art of Play has continued to escalate. The CCTV footage of her encounter at the store led the internet to debate the nature of the interaction, as no audio accompanied it.

That didn't stop a body language expert from giving her take on the altercation. Inbaal Honigman examined the footage from Clarkson's visit on 10 October and said her movements shifted from confidence to disbelief, frustration and eventually 'disgust'.

Journalist Pablo Torre, who obtained the footage from the store, reported that Clarkson spent under five minutes inside. As the video does not include audio, Honigman's observations are interpretations of visible behaviour and should not be seen as proof of either side's intent.

Kelly Clarkson Appeared Eager To Flaunt Her Ability To Spend

Honigman, whose analysis was commissioned by Casino.org Canada, started with Clarkson collecting merchandise as she moved through the store.

'When Clarkson first roams about the store, she harvests items from the shelves into her hands. This could be a nonverbal way to signal to the store proprietors that she is potentially a good customer,' Honigman observed.

She continued, 'Especially as she piles the items upwards in a high formation, placing them one on top of the other in a way that makes it appear as if she is weighed down by the large stockpile. She's signalling abundance, while looking around at people, checking if anyone has spotted who she is.'

The expert also noted Clarkson making eye contact with people who passed her, possibly checking if they recognised who she was.

'Clarkson is making an effort to send out the message that she can definitely afford to buy stuff,' Honigman said. 'With her hands full, she walks around, making sure that everyone can see, that here walks a lady who can buy things.'

Store Clerk Appeared 'Superbly Underwhelmed' by Clarkson's Behaviour

Honigman noted that the store clerk's body language appeared significantly relaxed.

'The store worker walks up to Clarkson with his hot beverage still in his hand,' she explained. 'When he stops by her, he sends his other hand backwards to support him as he leans upon the back of a chair, and to top it all off, he crosses his legs at the ankles.'

'If Clarkson had expected the star treatment, she must be sorely disappointed,' Honigman added. 'The staff member's body language is superbly underwhelmed, nonchalant to the point of indifference.'

She interpreted the clerk's body language as signs of casual confidence and possible disengagement, even suggesting they may not have recognised the singer. This lines up with Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin's claim that staff did not recognise Clarkson during the encounter.

Expert Says Clarkson's 'Disbelief' Was Visible Through the Footage

Clarkson became interested in Molly, the automaton bird on display inside the store. She said she saw a $15,000 (about £11,000) price tag on the bird and was treated as if she could not afford it. Art of Play maintained Molly was not for sale, adding that a nearly identical bird made by Bliss Kolb could be purchased online for the same price.

Honigman said Clarkson initially appeared engaged, pointing towards the bird and tilting her head. However, she believed that Clarkson's gestures became more self-directed after the employee acknowledged the display.

'The conversation is less about what's for sale and what's not for sale, and more about whether Clarkson can have what she wants or not,' she said. 'The object of the discussion is Clarkson, not the tin bird.'

Honigman then noted Clarkson's body language shifting negatively.

'Her fist under the head could indicate objection: Clarkson doesn't like what she hears,' she noted. 'But more than that, the fact that her gesture is turned towards herself means that in her mind, the conversation has turned from a query about a shop item into a discussion about her right to buy what she likes.'

Clarkson then looked back at the wall and avoided eye contact, which Honigman interpreted as disbelief as she pointed at the bird again.

'This suggests disbelief: how could she possibly be denied something she wanted?' she explained. 'She's no longer engaged.'

Clarkson Appeared 'Disgusted' When Exiting the Store

Clarkson then put back the items she had gathered on the shelves.

'When Clarkson puts back her wares on the shelves, no longer interested in purchasing them, she clenches her hands as if trying to clean them, like they're dirty,' Honigman observed. 'This shows that she feels disgusted with what just happened.'

She continued, 'We can't hear what anyone is saying, but we can see Clarkson waiting as she heads out until a few people are looking at her, and then she makes her final speech while pointing at herself again. Just at the door, she uses pushing motions to indicate that she is setting a boundary.'

In the hours following her visit, Clarkson took to social media to complain about her treatment by Art of Play staff, drawing criticism to both parties.

Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin said the establishment had been reviewed in the days following the visit, with staff receiving phone calls constantly.

Even when Clarkson received criticism for being entitled, she doubled down on attacking the business. While Rubin called her actions 'completely reprehensible', he still offered to have her come back to the store.