Kelly Clarkson has hit back at a Brooklyn store owner, branding them a 'liar' after they claimed a singing and dancing bird automaton was never for sale. The American Idol winner, 44, had initially complained about her treatment at Art of Play, saying she was treated like 'Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman' after driving 18 hours to visit the store.
Dispute over $15,000 bird
Clarkson said she had been trying to purchase the one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird, but was stopped from doing so. After her online complaints sparked a backlash for the store, the owner insisted the item was not for sale. In a long message, they criticised Clarkson's actions, saying the business had been 'suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store'. They also mocked her with a line from one of her songs: 'As a talented popular singer once said “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.'
Clarkson shares proof
But Clarkson was not prepared to let the incident lie. She took to her Instagram Stories to share 'proof' the item was available for $15,000 (£11,300). She wrote: 'Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with.'
She went on to recount the conversation, saying: '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. 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.'
Store responds
In response, the store again tried to clear up the situation, claiming they had 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'. After saying it cost about $2,000, they said: 'She did not stick around long enough to see it.'
They concluded saying they have reached out to the star to try to 'clear the air'. 'We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding,' they ended.
