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After Kelly Clarkson took to X on Saturday to share her experience “being treated like Julia Roberts” in “Pretty Woman” during a visit to Art of Play, a novelty shop in Brooklyn, the local business is responding to her claims,
saying it has received “widespread outrage” since and explaining that the item she wanted to buy — a bird permanently fixed to the store’s wall– was not actually for sale.
In her initial tweet, which has garnered nearly 260,000 likes and 32.2 million views, the singer wrote that she had driven to the store, which she thought “looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy.” She continued, writing that she “literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me. Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.” She then named the store and told her fans to visit if they “enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman,” accompanied by a thumbs-down emoji.
On Sunday, the business posted a multi-slide carousel to the store’s Instagram account sharing their side of the story. They began by clarifying that the item Clarkson inquired about purchasing was “a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here.” “Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale. However, the negative experience Kelly described on Twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop,” the caption read.
The business continued to note that “whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome. We greet everyone who walks in the door with the invitation to ‘pick things up and play.’ And they do, many stay for hours enjoying our puzzles, games and toys.”
Art of Play also acknowledged the significant backlash they’ve been receiving since Clarkson’s statement, before quoting the singer and concluding the message.
“Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store. It’s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity. Thanks to all our friends for their support and welcome to all the curious folks who have discovered us amidst the drama. We’re going to keep our heads down and hopefully, we can clear things up with Kelly someday. As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.'”
In a Feb. 2025 Instagram post’s caption, the business wrote that Molly is the store’s “beloved shop bird” and “mascot,” and she is one of the few items in Art of Play that has a “Do Not Touch” sign.
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