Kelly Clarkson called out a Brooklyn toy and game store on X after she says staff treated her like she couldn’t afford their merchandise.
The “American Idol” winner, 43, drove to Art of Play in Brooklyn specifically to shop there, she told her 8.8 million followers on the platform last week. She had spotted items she wanted to buy and made the trip expecting to make several purchases.
Instead, Clarkson wrote, an associate looked at her “as if I couldn’t afford it” and offered to find “something comparable” for her instead.
“Wow, dude,” she continued in her X post. “You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.”
The “Since U Been Gone” singer then turned sarcastic toward her followers, urging them to visit the store only if they wanted similar treatment. She compared the encounter to Julia Roberts’ character in the 1990 film “Pretty Woman,” where a snooty Beverly Hills boutique refuses to serve her before she returns later with shopping bags from other stores.
“But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman,” Clarkson wrote. “For sure, check it out 👎.”
The store, located in the Brooklyn neighborhood, specializes in designer toys, puzzles and games. It has built a following among enthusiasts of high-end play items and collectibles. Clarkson’s post did not specify which location she visited or the exact date of her trip.
Clarkson has been open about her experiences with public perception throughout her career, from her early days winning the first “American Idol” competition in 2002 to her current role as host of “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” She has discussed being underestimated or judged based on appearance in previous interviews.
The Texas-born singer did not name the specific employee in her X post, referring to him only as “dude.” Her followers quickly rallied in the replies, with many sharing their own experiences of being profiled in retail settings. Others noted that Clarkson’s estimated net worth, built over two decades in music and television, made the assumption particularly absurd.
The “Because of You” vocalist has maintained an active presence on X, where she regularly interacts with fans and shares unfiltered opinions. This marks one of her more pointed public complaints about a specific business.
Art of Play did not immediately respond publicly to Clarkson’s accusation on its social media channels following her post. The store operates multiple locations and an online shop featuring curated puzzles, games and art objects.
Clarkson’s comparison to “Pretty Woman” resonated with commenters familiar with the scene where Roberts’ character, a Hollywood Boulevard sex worker named Vivian Ward, is rejected by saleswomen at a Rodeo Drive boutique. In the film, Richard Gere’s character later accompanies her back to the same store with an armful of purchases from competitors.
The Grammy winner has been splitting time between her talk show filming in New York and other professional commitments. She relocated her daytime program to the city following her divorce from Brandon Blackstock.
Clarkson’s X account remains one of the more followed among musicians who rose to prominence in the early 2000s, giving her complaints significant reach. Her post about Art of Play accumulated substantial engagement from fans and casual observers alike.
The “Miss Independent” singer has additional tour dates scheduled through the coming months in support of her latest album.