Kelly Clarkson issues furious response to store owner's version of her real-life Pretty Woman claims

Kelly Clarkson has hit back with fresh claims after accusing a New York store of treating her like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman.

The American Idol winner has branded the owner of Art of Play in Brooklyn a ‘liar’ after the store claimed she’d attempted to buy an item that wasn’t for sale.

The incident kicked off on Friday (9 October), when Clarkson accused the store of bad customer service after she visited.

In a post on X, Clarkson said she paid a trip to the Art of Play after spotting a ‘few things’ online she’d hoped to buy.

However, she said that once she arrived, she didn’t get the treatment she’d expected.

“[I] literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,” she wrote.

She went on to compare the situation to the iconic scene in Pretty Woman where Roberts’ character Vivian encounters snobby store assistants while attempting to shop on Rodeo Drive.

“Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” Clarkson continued.

“But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman. For sure, check it out.”

The store then responded to the 44-year-old’s claim in a post on social media.

In a statement shared on Instagram the shop said Clarkson had attempted to buy an item called ‘Molly’ that isn’t for sale.

In the post, the company said: “Yesterday, Kelly Clarkson visited us in Brooklyn and inquired about buying ‘Molly,’ a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here.

“Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale.”

The statement went on to claim that it had been ‘suddenly attacked by 8 million people’ who had never even visited.

In response to that statement, Clarkson has now shared another update in which she says the owner of the store is a ‘liar’.

Posting on X, she wrote: “Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with.

“So the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale whilst pointing to the price tag hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn’t happen as you elevator eyed me saying in a condescending tone ‘yes, it’s for sale but it costs 15,000 dollars so if you’d like me to find something comparable for you I can.’ That all never happened and now it’s not for sale. Okay, cool. So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it.”

Clarkson went on to say that she ‘obviously support small businesses’ and that she understands how ‘important they are’.

“But you don’t get a free pass to treat people less than in your store just because you are a small business,” she continued.

“It’s not that hard to be kind. I never blast people but you my friend were an exception. Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren’t.”

LADbible has contacted Art of Play for comment.

Art of Play's statement in full

Following her initial claims, the Art of Play issued a statement sharing a different side to the story.

“Yesterday, Kelly Clarkson visited us in Brooklyn and inquired about buying ‘Molly,’ a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here,” the statement read.

“Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale. However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop.

“At Art of Play whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome. We greet everyone who walks in the door with the invitation to ‘pick things up and play’. And they do, many stay for hours enjoying our puzzles, games and toys.

“Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store. It’s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity.

“Thanks to all our friends for their support and welcome to all the curious folks who have discovered us amidst the drama. We’re going to keep our heads down and hopefully, we can clear things up with Kelly someday. As a talented popular singer once said ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’.”