# Kelly Clarkson's viral post upends Brooklyn shop

> Art of Play co-owner says the singer's complaint about being denied a sale has brought threats, fans, and forty-five million views to his small store.
- Title: Kelly Clarkson's viral post upends Brooklyn shop | Shortify
- Summary: Art of Play co-owner says the singer's complaint about being denied a sale has brought threats, fans, and forty-five million views to his small store. Kelly…
- Keywords: kelly clarkson, art of play, brooklyn, viral post, social media, retail dispute, business, technology, Kelly, Clarkson's, viral, post
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/art-of-play-co-owner-response-kelly-clarkson-molotov-cocktail-2026-10
- Author: Ben Shimkus
- Published: 2026-10-13T22:36:26.782+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kelly clarkson, art of play, brooklyn, viral post, social media, retail dispute, business, technology
## Clarkson's complaint goes viral
On Saturday, Kelly Clarkson posted on X that she visited Art of Play in Brooklyn and was treated as if she could not afford an item she wanted to buy.

> It's like she threw a Molotov cocktail at us
## The shop tells a different story
Art of Play said Clarkson asked to buy Molly, a one-of-a-kind wooden bird automaton that was not for sale. Clarkson responded by calling the shop liars.
## The bird now has a price tag
On Tuesday, Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin told USA Today the bird is now for sale for fifteen million dollars.
## The post reaches millions
Clarkson's X post has more than forty-five million views as of publication. Art of Play is a local retailer with one hundred seventy-two thousand Instagram followers.
## Angry fans descend on the shop
On Tuesday, angry Clarkson fans showed up outside Art of Play. Rubin said the store has received threats and a barrage of online hate since the post went viral.
## Support arrives alongside the anger
Rubin said the store has also received in-person love from frequent customers and strangers who came to visit. A woman he does not recognize came by to give him a hug.
## Rubin's message to Clarkson
Rubin said he would welcome Clarkson back but she should expect the same treatment as any other customer.We treated her like any other customer, he said.

> We treated her like any other customer. She wasn't happy because she wanted to be treated like a star.
## Key takeaway

Kelly Clarkson's viral social media complaint about Art of Play in Brooklyn has overwhelmed the small shop with online attention, threats, and in-person visitors, while the store disputes her account of what happened.