In brief
Kelly Clarkson recently visited Art of Play in Brooklyn and asked to purchase a singing mechanical bird priced at $15,000. She said staff looked at her as if she could not afford it, but the boutique maintains the bird is permanently mounted and not for sale. During the five‑minute visit, an employee offered her an identical bird for the same price. The incident has sparked online debate about celebrity treatment and retail transparency.
Grammy‑winning singer Kelly Clarkson made headlines after a visit to Brooklyn boutique Art of Play ended in a heated exchange over a pricey, singing mechanical bird.
Clarkson said the store’s staff “looked at me as if I couldn’t afford” the display, priced at $15,000 (about £11,000). She posted her frustration on social media, which sparked a wave of comments ranging from support to criticism.
The boutique insisted the bird is permanently mounted on the wall and not for sale. It added that during Clarkson’s five‑minute visit, an employee suggested purchasing an identical bird for the same $15,000, implying the vendor could meet her request.
The incident has raised questions about how retailers treat famous customers and whether celebrity status should grant special requests. Online reactions have been mixed, with some praising the store’s transparency and others criticizing the perceived snub.
Viewers can watch the full video of Clarkson’s visit and the boutique’s response in the linked coverage below.
