# Kelly Clarkson and the fifteen thousand dollar bird

> A Grammy winner's complaint about a Brooklyn novelty shop refusing to sell her a mechanical bird has turned into a viral row.
- Title: Kelly Clarkson and the fifteen thousand dollar bird · BBC News
- Summary: A Grammy winner's complaint about a Brooklyn novelty shop refusing to sell her a mechanical bird has turned into a viral row. Kelly Clarkson accused Art of…
- Keywords: kelly clarkson, art of play, brooklyn, mechanical bird, social media row, novelty shop, news, world, Kelly, Clarkson, fifteen, thousand
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxvgdneplgzeo
- Published: 2026-10-14T22:19:13.172+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kelly clarkson, art of play, brooklyn, mechanical bird, social media row, novelty shop, news, world
## Grammy winner's complaint goes viral
Kelly Clarkson posted online that Art of Play in Brooklyn refused to let her buy a mechanical bird on the wall, saying staff treated her as if she could not afford it.

> Y'all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman
## The bird had a fifteen thousand dollar price tag
Clarkson said the mechanical bird she wanted to buy had a price tag of fifteen thousand dollars, or eleven thousand pounds. She compared the treatment to a scene from the nineteen ninety film Pretty Woman.
## The store says the bird is not for sale
Art of Play defended itself on social media, saying the wooden bird called Molly is permanently attached to the wall and cannot be sold. Staff offered Clarkson an identical bird for fifteen thousand dollars instead.
## Store offered alternative options
During Clarkson's five minute visit on Saturday, Art of Play said staff also offered her a different singing bird for two thousand dollars from a German clock making shop that she could have bought that…
## The row has brought unwanted attention
Art of Play said it was attacked by eight million people after one mention by a celebrity.The store's owner told CBS News that he and his staff have faced threats and harassment since Clarkson's complaint.

> Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by eight million people who have never visited our store
## Surveillance video released to the public
A news outlet released grainy surveillance footage from Art of Play purporting to show Clarkson's visit.
## Molly now has a joke price tag
Molly the mechanical bird still hangs on the wall at Art of Play, now next to a price tag of fifteen million dollars.
## Key takeaway

Kelly Clarkson accused Art of Play in Brooklyn of treating her poorly after refusing to sell her a mechanical bird, sparking a social media storm that has brought unwanted attention and threats to the small store.