New York novelty shop makes $15 million move as Kelly Clarkson saga continues
A New York novelty shop has made its latest move in an ongoing feud with Kelly Clarkson, listing the mechanical bird at the centre of the saga for sale at an eye-watering US$15 million ($22.5 million).
Art of Play was adamant that Molly the mechanical bird was not for sale when Clarkson first enquired about the artwork in store, but it seems the store’s owners have changed their mind.
Kelly Clarkson is caught in a social media furore after taking aim at Brooklyn shop. Getty Images for Critics Choice
One of the co-owners of the shop, Adam Rubin, confirmed to US media that Molly is now on sale for $US15 million.
Rubin explained to NBC news that if the bird manages to sell at that price, he would give each of his employees a $15,000 bonus and send $1 million to the artist who crafted Molly.
He also claimed the shop would build a display in honour of the mechanical bird with the profits.
It’s the most recent development in the online feud between Clarkson and Art of Play. It all started after the Piece by Piece singer claimed she endured an embarrassing Pretty Woman moment in the store, publishing a scathing review accusing staff of treating her like she “couldn’t afford” its products.
The American Idol winner posted about her bad shopping experience on X last Saturday.
“Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,” Clarkson said.
“Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale. But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman.”
After being bombarded by negative reviews, the store posted a statement addressing Clarkson’s claims on social media.
“Yesterday, Kelly Clarkson visited us in Brooklyn and inquired about buying ‘Molly,’ a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here,” the statement said.
“Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale.”
In a pinned Instagram post from September, Art of Play had posted a photo of Molly as part of a post titled “Our favourite items are not for sale”.
The pair then went back and forth, with Clarkson accusing the shop of lying about the interaction, claiming she was told her the artwork was for sale.
“Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with,” she wrote on X, alongside a photo that appeared to show the bird with a $US15,000 ($21,558) price tag.
“So the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale while 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 so if you’d like me to find something comparable for you, I can’,” Clarkson wrote.
Clarkson and the store have gone back and forth for days. Getty
“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.”
The shop hit back, trying to explain the miscommunication and doubling down on the fact that they explained to Clarkson that “a nearly identical automaton is owned by the creator of the machines, a brilliant artist named Bliss Kolb.”
They went on to say the artist told the store he would be “willing to part with Molly’s twin for $15,000.”
The feud had set the internet alight, with fans picking sides and trying to decipher what really went down between the store and Clarkson.
