Kelly Clarkson is facing backlash after publicly criticising a small Brooklyn games shop, claiming staff treated her unfairly during an attempted purchase.
The US singer and talk show host accused Art of Play of making assumptions about what she could afford and offering her an alternative item instead of the one she wanted.
“Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” Clarkson wrote on X.
She encouraged people to visit the shop if they wanted to be treated “like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman”, referring to the film’s portrayal of a woman being judged in a luxury store.
Art of Play later disputed Clarkson’s account, explaining that the item she had tried to buy was Molly, a singing and dancing bird automaton used in the shop’s magic shows.
“Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale,” the business said in an Instagram post.
However, the shop said it understood why Clarkson’s alleged experience would resonate with people who had felt judged while shopping. It insisted that everyone was welcome, whether they intended to buy something or simply wanted to look around.
“We greet everyone who walks in the door with the invitation to ‘pick things up and play’,” Art of Play said, adding that customers often stayed for hours enjoying its puzzles, games and toys.
The response prompted a shift in public sentiment, with critics accusing Clarkson, who is a coach on The Voice US, of using her profile to direct attention towards a small business.
“Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store,” Art of Play said.
The shop described the episode as a surreal experience and said it would keep a low profile while the reaction settled.
It added that it hoped to clear things up with Clarkson in future, ending its statement with a reference to her 2011 hit: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
