Kelly Clarkson Hits Back at Brooklyn Store's 'Pretty Woman' Account Over $15K Singing Bird: 'You're Also a Liar'

Kelly Clarkson has accused a Brooklyn store of lying after it disputed her account of being treated dismissively while trying to buy a singing bird she says was priced at $15,000 (£11,300), escalating a social-media row over what happened inside the shop. The singer first compared her experience at Art of Play to Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman, saying an employee appeared to judge whether she could afford the store's products.

After the business said the bird she asked about was never for sale, Clarkson returned with a sharper response. In a social media post, she called that explanation 'the narrative' and accusing the store of being 'rude' and 'a liar'.

'Pretty Woman' Moment at Brooklyn Store

Clarkson said she had driven to Brooklyn on Saturday, 10 October, intending to buy several items from Art of Play. 'You're an idiot and just lost a huge sale,' she wrote on X, saying she was treated as though she could not afford the merchandise and was offered something 'comparable' instead.

Clarkson compared the encounter to the Julia Roberts hit, Pretty Woman. In the 1990 film, staff in a luxury shop initially dismiss Roberts' character.

Art Of Play Says Singing Bird Was Not For Sale

The store said the singer had asked about buying Molly, describing it as 'a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton' that plays an important role in the magic shows hosted at the Brooklyn store. 'Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn't for sale,' the business said in an Instagram statement.

The store said Clarkson's description of feeling judged would resonate with anyone who has had a negative shopping experience. It stressed that customers were welcome whether they bought anything or simply spent time looking around. The business also said it was surprised to face widespread criticism from people who had never visited the shop, describing the reaction as 'surreal'.

Clarkson Calls Brooklyn Store 'Rude' and 'A Liar'

Clarkson disputed the store's account, saying she had pointed to a price tag labelled 'Singing Bird' and was told it cost $15,000 (£11,300). 'Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn't for sale. That's the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with,' Clarkson wrote, before recounting the conversation she said took place.

She said she had asked whether the bird was for sale while pointing to the price tag on the wall. She claimed the employee she was speaking with responded in a 'condescending tone' that it was available for $15,000 (£11,300) before offering to find her something comparable. 'That all never happened and now it's not for sale. Okay, cool. So you're not only rude, you're also a liar. Got it,' she wrote.

Clarkson also defended her support for small businesses, saying she had visited Art of Play specifically to make purchases. 'I love small businesses and know they are important and I always support them,' she wrote.

Kelly Clarkson Defends Her Decision To Speak Out

Clarkson argued that supporting small businesses did not mean accepting poor treatment from them. '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,' she wrote.

She said she rarely publicly criticises people but made an exception in this case. 'I never blast people but you my friend were an exception,' Clarkson wrote, while acknowledging that she liked the shop itself. 'Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren't.'

Her comments came after Art of Play said it hoped the dispute could eventually be cleared up with Clarkson, despite the increasingly sharp public exchange between the singer and the business.