A public feud between pop singer Kelly Clarkson and a Brooklyn novelty store ignited fresh debate on television Thursday following the release of surveillance video from the incident, as hosts on “The View” clashed over celebrity influence and customer treatment.
The controversy began after Clarkson, 44, visited Art of Play, a curiosity shop in Brooklyn Heights, on Oct. 10. Clarkson subsequently criticized the business on social media platform X, claiming staff treated her like Julia Roberts’ character in the movie “Pretty Woman” when she asked about a $15,000 mechanical bird automaton mounted on the wall. Clarkson asserted that a worker looked at her as though she could not afford the piece and offered to find something comparable instead.
Debate on ‘The View’
Surveillance footage of the encounter aired Tuesday on the podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” prompting discussion among the panel on Thursday’s episode of “The View,” Page Six reported.
Co-host Sunny Hostin, 57, suggested the footage reflected poorly on the singer. “It seems like she kind of had a bit of a tantrum because she starts putting things back kind of quickly,” Hostin said, according to Page Six. Hostin, who agreed when guest co-host Raven-Symoné characterized the reaction as “petty,” previously argued the matter should have remained private rather than being broadcast online.
“When you have a huge platform, there comes a lot of responsibility with that,” Hostin noted, pointing to Clarkson’s millions of fans and warning that celebrities ought to recognize how social media mobs operate.
Raven-Symoné, 40, offered a contrasting view, maintaining that Clarkson possessed every right to share her feelings publicly. “I think it’s unfair just because she had that many followers she’s not allowed to express how she feels about what happened to her,” the former child star said, according to Radar Online. She argued that the singer did not instruct supporters to harass anyone, emphasizing that internet reactions cannot be blamed solely on the artist.
Raven-Symoné added that Clarkson did not grow up wealthy, suggesting that comments touching on money can trigger personal sensitivities. “You don’t know my bank account, you don’t know what my savings and checkings are doing,” she said, according to Radar Online.
Store Responds to Online Fallout
Following Clarkson’s initial post, the shop countered that the automaton, named Molly, was permanently attached to the wall and not for sale, though Clarkson posted an image showing a $15,000 price tag beside the item. The store released statements calling the incident a misunderstanding, noting Clarkson spent roughly five minutes inside before leaving.
Adam Rubin, co-owner of Art of Play, criticized Clarkson’s actions in interviews with Page Six and USA Today, calling the public call-out a “reprehensible abuse of power” and “asymmetrical social warfare.” Rubin stated that the ensuing online backlash left him afraid for the physical safety of the shop and its staff.
Clarkson has not publicly backed down from her description of the encounter, although she bypassed the topic during a corporate concert performance Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, The Mirror US reported. Whether the dispute will lead to further public statements or legal action remains unclear.
