Kelly Clarkson finds herself in a costly dispute with a Brooklyn store over a mechanical bird, as the store’s co-owner, Adam Rubin of Art of Play, has decided to list the bird, named “Molly,” for an eye-popping $15 million. Rubin plans to reward each shop employee with $15,000 and offer Bliss Kolb, the creator of Molly, a hefty $1 million if the bird gets sold, with the remaining funds earmarked for purchasing other antique automata.
The saga has garnered significant online attention, escalating from the initial $15,000 price tag Clarkson claimed to have seen during her visit on October 10. Rubin has highlighted the surge in foot traffic to the store due to the publicity but expressed concern over the backlash received from Clarkson’s fans, stating, “Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger.”
Footage captured on October 13 shows Clarkson entering the store, browsing items, and engaging with a store clerk before leaving. The online dispute began when Clarkson accused the store of treating her poorly, likening the experience to a scene from the movie “Pretty Woman.”
The confrontation continued with the store stating that Molly was not for sale, prompting Clarkson to challenge the store’s account by sharing a photo of Molly with a $15,000 price tag. The store clarified that the price referenced a similar bird that could be recreated for sale. Rubin emphasized that at the time of Clarkson’s visit, her identity was unknown to the staff, and the situation escalated due to her public criticism.
The internet community has been actively following and commenting on the incident, with diverse viewpoints on the matter surfacing on social media. The debate has sparked discussions on customer service, celebrity interactions, and retail experiences.