Employees at a Brooklyn toy store are facing death threats after singer Kelly Clarkson publicly criticized the shop on social media, according to co-owner Adam Rubin. The dispute began over the weekend when Clarkson visited Art of Play and later claimed on X that she was treated rudely while inquiring about a $15,000 mechanical bird named "Molly."
Rubin told TMZ on Wednesday that the store has since been inundated with angry phone calls and a "barrage of hateful messages" from Clarkson's fans. "We are legitimately worried about the safety of our shop keepers," he said. "Because Kelly Clarkson has put us all in danger and has used her platform to try and squash this like a bug."
Clarkson's initial post described the interaction as dismissive, saying she was "literally looked at as if I couldn't afford it" and was told by a staff member that he could find something comparable. She compared the experience to being treated like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman and encouraged her followers to visit the store if they enjoyed such treatment.
The store responded on Instagram, confirming Clarkson's visit but asserting that "Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn't for sale." In a follow-up post, Art of Play said an employee offered to sell Clarkson "Molly's twin for $15,000" and suggested a $2,000 alternative mechanical bird, but Clarkson "did not stick around long enough to see it."
Clarkson fired back with a lengthy post, accusing the store of lying. She claimed the conversation did happen and referenced a price tag on the wall. "So you're not only rude, you're also a liar. Got it," she wrote. Her post included a photo that appeared to show a $15,000 price tag next to a mechanical bird.
The Singing Bird on Wall is a sculpture created by Bliss Kolb that emits a song when cranked. In response to the controversy, Art of Play announced Wednesday that "Molly" would be put up for sale for $15 million, according to NBC News.
The incident has drawn national attention, highlighting the power of celebrity social media posts to incite harassment. It also raises questions about the responsibility of public figures when their online criticisms lead to real-world threats. As social media platforms continue to grapple with harassment and misinformation, cases like this underscore the potential consequences of viral callouts.
For now, the owners of Art of Play are left dealing with the fallout, hoping that the attention will eventually subside and that their employees can feel safe again.
