From Slate Magazine · Heather Schwedel · · 1m 50s
Kelly Clarkson’s $15,000 Bird Incident
Kelly Clarkson’s online feud with Brooklyn gift shop Art of Play over a $15,000 animatronic bird.
In brief
Kelly Clarkson’s online feud with Brooklyn gift shop Art of Play over a $15,000 animatronic bird. Kelly Clarkson accused Art of Play of treating her poorly after a brief interaction with a $15,000 bird display, sparking social media backlash and security footage revealing a misunderstanding. Originally reported by…
Kelly Clarkson’s Brooklyn Visit
Kelly Clarkson visited Art of Play in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon to check out a $15,000 animatronic bird.
Clarkson’s Online Complaint
Clarkson claimed she felt treated like she couldn’t afford the bird and was told she could find something comparable.
Art of Play’s Response
Art of Play said Clarkson asked about a $15,000 singing and dancing bird named Molly that was not for sale.
Clarkson’s Accusation
Clarkson accused Art of Play of using a condescending tone and treating her poorly during the interaction.
Social Media Backlash
Art of Play’s social media accounts received negative comments and harassment from customers and employees.
Adam Rubin’s Statement
Adam Rubin, Art of Play co-owner, said Kelly Clarkson put the store in danger with her social media posts.
“Kelly Clarkson put us in danger”
Security Footage Revealed
Investigative journalist Pablo Torre shared security footage showing Clarkson left the store after a brief interaction with staff.
The Misunderstanding
Clarkson thought the bird was not for sale, but Art of Play had a confusing policy about displaying items.
Social Media Impact
Clarkson’s tweet about the incident has been viewed 46.2 million times, sparking widespread media coverage.
Why It Went Viral
The incident went viral due to its low-stakes nature and the contrast between Clarkson’s fame and Art of Play’s small scale.
The Aftermath
Art of Play and Clarkson remain at odds, but the incident highlights the risks of social media interactions with celebrities.
The short version
Kelly Clarkson accused Art of Play of treating her poorly after a brief interaction with a $15,000 bird display, sparking social media backlash and security footage revealing a misunderstanding.
