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Kelly Clarkson and Brooklyn store clash over social media
Kelly Clarkson's social media clash with a Brooklyn store highlights power dynamics between celebrities and small businesses.
In brief
Kelly Clarkson's social media clash with a Brooklyn store highlights power dynamics between celebrities and small businesses. Kelly Clarkson's complaint about being judged at a Brooklyn store sparked online backlash and real-world harassment, showing how celebrity influence can impact small businesses. Originally…
Kelly Clarkson and Brooklyn store clash
Kelly Clarkson and a Brooklyn store clashed on social media over feeling judged during a shopping interaction.
“I was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it”
Store claims item not for sale
The store initially said the mechanical bird wasn’t for sale and tried to find an alternative for Clarkson.
“The store had just lost a huge sale”
Clarkson disputes store claims
Clarkson said the store’s attempt to find an alternative was not true and named the store with a thumbs down.
“The store had just lost a huge sale”
Online backlash follows
Online comments and real-world harassment including hateful messages and a visitor showed up at the store.
“I don’t understand why these people are willing to debase themselves on behalf of a celebrity they never met”
Expert on celebrity power dynamics
Alfred Archer, a professor at Tilburg University, explains how celebrities have disproportionate influence over public opinion.
“You can’t hold the celebrity responsible for everything that their followers do”
Celebrity influence risks
Celebrities can cause harm through their words, but their influence also has positive ripples for small businesses.
“I think really the responsibility here is to use this power in a responsible way”
Social media and parasocial relationships
Social media creates one-sided connections with celebrities that lead to harsh online reactions.
“Social media has ... kind of created this false sense of reality where, I really think even the act of watching someone’s content on your phone and it looks like they’re talking directly to you”
Small business owner's perspective
The store owner says the situation is beyond what a small business can handle and hopes it doesn’t affect nearby businesses.
“This is not something that a small business owner has the capability to deal with”
The one thing
Kelly Clarkson's complaint about being judged at a Brooklyn store sparked online backlash and real-world harassment, showing how celebrity influence can impact small businesses.
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