Kelly Clarkson's dispute with Brooklyn boutique over $15,000 mechanical bird draws PR analysis
A public disagreement between Kelly Clarkson and the Brooklyn store Art of Play over a high-priced mechanical bird has prompted comments from crisis-management experts about potential effects on the singer's reputation.
Kelly Clarkson said a sales associate at Art of Play, a Brooklyn boutique that sells puzzles, games and specialty items, treated her condescendingly while she inquired about a $15,000 mechanical bird. She posted on social media that the employee called her an "idiot" and that the store lost a major sale.
Art of Play responded on Instagram, stating it had been flooded with messages from people who had never visited the shop and thanking supporters. The store later clarified that the bird, named Molly, is permanently attached to the wall and that a similar automaton owned by the creator could be sold for $15,000, while a different German-made singing bird would cost about $2,000. The shop said it offered to show Clarkson the lower-priced option, but she left before seeing it.
Co-owner Adam Rubin told Fox News Digital that the viral dispute has led to threats and doxxing of staff and associates. Crisis-PR firm Red Banyan CEO Evan Nierman said Clarkson's long-standing goodwill is likely to protect her reputation, but warned that continued public arguments could alter public perception. "Arguing with a boutique toy store over a $15,000 mechanical bird is not going to make or break the long-term reputation of a literal ‘American Idol,’" Nierman said.
Steve Honig, founder of The Honig Company, suggested the incident might reinforce Clarkson's image as someone standing up against perceived unfair treatment, but cautioned that prolonged conflict could appear as a celebrity using her platform against a small business. Both experts recommended that Clarkson move past the dispute to avoid further reputational risk.
A representative for Clarkson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.