Singer and television host Kelly Clarkson publicly called out a Brooklyn specialty store on Saturday, alleging an employee mistreated her and assumed she could not afford the merchandise.
Clarkson, 44, took to social media to vent about an excursion to Art of Play, a business situated near Brooklyn Bridge Park that sells puzzles, games, books and home goods. Clarkson recounted to her millions of followers on X that she drove to the shop after seeing items she wished to purchase, only to face what she described as immediate condescension from a clerk.
Clarkson wrote that she was “literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,” according to Page Six. She directed sharp criticism at the worker, writing, “Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.”
The performer then drew parallels between her shopping trip and the 1990 romantic comedy “Pretty Woman.” In that movie, Julia Roberts plays Vivian Ward, a woman who is snubbed by Rodeo Drive sales clerks who judge her clothing and refuse service. Roberts’ character later returns to the boutique holding armloads of purchases from other stores to remind the clerk of the lost commission, famously declaring, “Big mistake. Big. Huge.”
Clarkson sarcastically recommended the Brooklyn storefront to anyone who wanted similar treatment, writing, “y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in ‘Pretty Woman.’”
Online Backlash and Store Response
The post triggered an immediate response from Clarkson’s fan base. Social media users flooded the store’s public profiles and review pages, posting numerous one-star evaluations across Google and Yelp, Fox News reported. Several reviewers referenced Clarkson directly or criticized customer service at the venue.
Art of Play declined to comment when contacted by phone on Saturday, according to Page Six. Representatives for the company did not immediately provide a formal response to other outlets, including Fox News and the Daily Mail. According to Us Weekly, the shop appeared to briefly counter the claims by posting a customer review to its Instagram Story that commended employees for “genuine kindness.” The post was subsequently deleted.
Along with toys, books and puzzles, Art of Play houses a 26-seat theater dedicated to hosting close-up magic performances, according to its official website.
A Rare Dispute for the Musician
The public post represents an unusual online controversy for the three-time Grammy Award winner, who typically keeps details about her daily activities out of public view. Clarkson moved to New York City in 2023 and previously announced she was stepping away from hosting “The Kelly Clarkson Show” after seven seasons to prioritize her two children following the death of their father, Brandon Blackstock.
Clarkson currently appears on television as a judge on the 30th season of NBC’s reality competition series “The Voice.” Whether Art of Play management plans to formally address the shopping encounter or resolve the dispute directly with the entertainer remains unknown.
