Paul Rudd visited Art of Play in Brooklyn shortly after Kelly Clarkson criticized the store for treating her poorly during a visit. Source: eonline.com.
What Happened
Kelly Clarkson posted on X about her trip to the Brooklyn store. She said she drove there to see a mechanical singing bird named Molly, which she believed was priced at $15,000.
She claimed employees treated her as if she couldn’t afford the items. They said they could find something comparable, which she described as a sign of disrespect.
Clarkson wrote: ‘Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.’ She joked fans should visit Art of Play if they enjoyed being treated like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.
Art of Play’s Response
After the post, Art of Play released statements. Co-owner Adam Rubin said the negative interaction wasn’t expected.
He said: ‘We treated her like a normal person, but apparently that didn’t live up to her expectations.’
He also warned: ‘Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger. People are getting threatened on the street. We didn’t know this would happen—but she did.’
Clarifying the Price of Molly
Molly is not for sale at Art of Play. The store works directly with artisans. Molly was created by Bliss Kolb.
If someone shows serious interest, they may be contacted by Kolb to purchase a version of the automaton.
Despite this, the store raised the price of mechanical birds to $15 million, citing popular demand.
Why This Feud Matters
A simple customer interaction can become a viral event when shared online. Social media turns personal experiences into public moments.
Art of Play is a specialty shop focused on mechanical and novelty items. Its success depends on customer service and public perception.
This case shows how celebrity influence can shape a small business’s reputation. A single post can trigger real-world reactions.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Paul Rudd, Kelly Clarkson. Via original publisher. Image source
