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Kelly Clarkson’s public dispute with a Brooklyn small business over a $15,000 mechanical bird could damage the relatable image she has built over the past two decades, a crisis PR expert warned.
“There will certainly be some naysayers who think Clarkson was acting like a rich and famous prima donna and using her platform vindictively,” Steve Honig, founder of The Honig Company, told Fox News Digital. “But most people will likely think that, for the most part, she acted accordingly and in many ways was a role model for standing up for oneself.”
The controversy began after Clarkson claimed she was treated like Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman” while shopping at Art of Play in Brooklyn.
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Kelly Clarkson sparked a public feud with a Brooklyn boutique store over a sales dispute. (GC Images)
Clarkson said an employee appeared to judge her based on her appearance and suggested she look at “something comparable” instead of the $15,000 mechanical bird she wanted to purchase. She also called the employee an “idiot” and said the store lost a major sale.
Art of Play, which sells puzzles, games, toys, books and other specialty items, responded to Clarkson’s original social media post, saying the business had been bombarded with hateful messages from “8 million people” after the singer’s accusations.
“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 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,’” the store wrote on its Instagram page on Sunday afternoon.
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After Art of Play’s Instagram post, Clarkson responded Sunday afternoon on X and Instagram stories to the store’s assertion that the mechanical bird wasn’t for sale.
“Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with,” Clarkson wrote, adding a thumbs-up emoji.
The singer continued: “So the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale whilst pointing to the price tag hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn’t happen as you elevator eyed me saying in a condescending tone “yes, it’s for sale but it costs 15,000 dollars so if you’d like me to find something comparable for you I can.” 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,” adding a checkmark emoji.
Kelly Clarkson likened a recent shopping experience to Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman.” (Getty Images)
Clarkson added: “And by the way, I obviously support small businesses because I was literally at a small business trying to purchase things. I love small businesses and know they are important and I always support them, but 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. I never blast people but you my friend were an exception. Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren’t.”
Clarkson’s post also prompted criticism online, with some users accusing her of using her platform to target a small business. The store reportedly received a wave of negative Google reviews after the singer’s comments went viral.
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Art of Play shared another post on Instagram Sunday to “clarify one additional detail” about Clarkson’s visit.
“During the 5 minutes she spent in the store, she inquired about our mechanical bird puppet named Molly. We explained that while Molly is permanently attached to the wall and serves as a de facto mascot for our shop, a nearly identical automaton is owned by the creator of the machines, a brilliant artist named Bliss Kolb who lives in Seattle. He told us he would be willing to part with Molly’s twin for $15,000. We explained all of this to Kelly Clarkson.”
Kelly Clarkson won the first season of “American Idol” in 2002. (Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)
“We also offered to show her a different singing bird automaton, made by a traditional clockmaking shop in Germany, that she could have taken home with her that day. It costs about $2,000. She did not stick around long enough to see it.”
“We’ve reached out to Kelly directly to try and clear the air,” the shop concluded. “We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding.”
Adam Rubin, co-owner of Art of Play and a children’s author, spoke with Fox News Digital inside the Brooklyn store Tuesday morning, claiming the singer has put his business in danger after their viral dispute.
Rubin claimed the backlash has extended beyond angry comments online, with people associated with the business allegedly facing threats and having their personal information exposed.
“We’ve got incredible support from our neighbors and fans over the past few days, and all of them have been attacked, threatened, doxed,” he said.
Molly, a mechanical singing bird designed by Bliss Kolb, is displayed at Art of Play in Brooklyn. The price tag now reads $15 million. (Fox News Digital)
Evan Nierman, CEO of crisis PR firm Red Banyan, said Clarkson’s long-established reputation will likely protect her from any lasting damage — but warned that continuing to discuss the dispute could change how some people view her.
“Arguing with a boutique toy store over a $15,000 mechanical bird is not going to make or break the long-term reputation of a literal ‘American Idol,’” Nierman said. “Right or wrong, she initiated this conflict by telling her 9 million followers that the owners of the store are idiots who lost a huge sale and mistreated her.”
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“Prior to this incident, she was perceived as a down-to-earth and relatable celebrity, but this acrimonious back and forth over social media is sullying everyone involved,” he added.
The co-owner of Art and Play told Fox News Digital, “I am afraid for the safety of our shop. Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger.” (Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation Las Vegas)
Honig argued that the dispute could ultimately strengthen Clarkson’s image because she presented herself as someone standing up to unfair treatment.
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“The dispute is more likely to strengthen Clarkson’s image than undermine it because she was standing up against being judged based on appearance,” Honig said. “This was not really about a $15,000 item, but about how she says she was treated when she tried to buy it.”
“Just as in ‘Pretty Woman,’ someone appeared to be judging a book by its cover,” he added.
Still, Honig acknowledged that the situation could become more damaging if the dispute continues.
“There will certainly be some naysayers who think Clarkson was acting like a rich and famous prima donna and using her platform vindictively,” Steve Honig told Fox News Digital. “But most people will likely think that, for the most part, she acted accordingly and in many ways was a role model for standing up for oneself.” (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
“The only risk is if the dispute drags on and starts to look like a celebrity using her platform against a small business,” he said.
Nierman also urged Clarkson to let the controversy fade rather than risk having the dispute overshadow her career.
“Clarkson has built up over two decades of goodwill since winning ‘American Idol.’ She has built a deep reservoir of trust, and her fans will give her the benefit of the doubt every time in a fight like this,” he said.
“Every new round of arguing over Molly the Bird makes it more likely that the general American public will start to make conclusions about Clarkson and her character based on this dispute, which does not serve her,” Nierman added.
Kelly Clarkson rose to fame after winning the inaugural season of “American Idol” in 2002 and has since built a successful career as a singer and television host. (Art Streiber/NBC via Getty Image)
“Clarkson should do what she can to move past this, since she wants the first thing people think about her to be her musical accomplishments and not a petty and protracted fight over a singing birdie.”
Honig said Clarkson should eventually “declare victory and move on,” while Nierman suggested she ask her supporters to stop harassing the store.
“Kelly’s silence has been helpful and the right move,” Nierman said. “But if she really wanted to win the day and come out permanently ahead, she could call on her fans to stand down and leave the store and its employees alone.”
A representative for Clarkson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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Fox News Digital’s Danielle Minnetian contributed to this report.