Art of Play Co-Owner Breaks Silence on Kelly Clarkson Feud: “Gross Abuse of Power”
Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin has found himself at the center of an unexpected celebrity firestorm, and he admits he has no idea how to navigate the aftermath. After Grammy-winning singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson publicly criticized her experience at his Brooklyn store, Rubin is speaking out, expressing frustration, confusion, and a desire to move forward — though he also believes Clarkson should face consequences for what he describes as a “gross abuse of power.”
In an interview with 1010 WINS on 92.3 FM on Tuesday, October 13, Rubin addressed the escalating controversy for the first time in detail. He admitted that the situation has been overwhelming and entirely new territory for him. “Honestly, I have no experience with this. I have no idea how we move forward with it,” he said. Despite the turmoil, Rubin was careful to say that he does not hate the superstar. “I just want to say we hold no ill will against Kelly Clarkson. We invite her to come back and enjoy the store,” he said. But the goodwill quickly shifted to criticism. “But, we find her gross abuse of power completely reprehensible, and she should face social consequences.”
The controversy began on Saturday, October 10, when Clarkson, 44, took to X (formerly Twitter) to describe what she perceived as dismissive and condescending treatment at Art of Play. According to the singer, she had traveled all the way to Brooklyn specifically to visit the store, which she thought looked “really rad,” and had a few items in mind to purchase. Instead, she claimed, she was treated as though she could not afford the merchandise. “Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me. Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” Clarkson wrote. She then encouraged her followers to visit the store if they were interested in being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman. “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 post quickly went viral, setting off a public back-and-forth between Clarkson and the store. Art of Play responded, offering its own version of events, and Clarkson fired back the next day on Sunday, October 11. Her response was dismissive and skeptical of the store’s narrative. “Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with,” she wrote on X. The exchange made headlines, with fans and the general public taking sides, sharing their own experiences, and debating the dynamics of celebrity privilege, customer service, and small-business accountability.
Rubin, however, maintains that the situation has been blown out of proportion, and he believes the public response has been harmful to his business. In his interview with 1010 WINS, he claimed that the sheer volume of attention has made it impossible for the store to function normally. “We have to turn the phone off,” he said. “A regular customer couldn’t get in touch with us if they wanted to.” He went on to argue that celebrities who wield their platforms so publicly need to be held accountable, especially when the target is a private citizen or a small business owner. “Superstars, they should be held responsible for yielding their power against someone who is just a normal person,” Rubin said.
Throughout the dispute, one central point of contention has been a mechanical singing bird that Clarkson claimed was on display with a price tag of $15,000. Clarkson said she was interested in buying it, but was told by an employee that they could find something more affordable for her. Rubin, however, disputes this account. He claims the bird was never for sale in the first place. According to Rubin, the bird is part of a curated collection, and the store works directly with the artisans who create these pieces. If a customer expresses interest, the store can reach out to the artisan to discuss possibly commissioning a similar version. But the item itself is not available for immediate purchase.
Rubin explained the situation further, describing what he says was the actual exchange with Clarkson. “We work directly with these artisans. If somebody is interested, we can reach out to this artisan and talk about maybe then getting a similar version,” he said, recalling his conversation with the first-ever American Idol winner. “These things take years to build. They’re not sitting in a warehouse somewhere. They don’t have next-day delivery. That conversation was had. Clearly, there was some miscommunication.”
In a separate interview with USA Today, Rubin provided an additional, somewhat surprising update about the mechanical singing bird. He revealed that the bird, which is named Molly, now carries an eight-figure price tag — specifically, $15 million. “We’ve raised the price due to popular demand,” he told the publication. The remark was widely interpreted as a satirical jab at the controversy, suggesting that the attention surrounding Clarkson’s complaint had actually increased interest in the item, even though it was never for sale in the first place.
Despite her initial criticism, Clarkson has not asked her fans to boycott the store or take any direct action against it. The singer, who currently serves as a coach on The Voice, has not posted about the situation since Sunday, October 11. Still, Rubin indicated that the damage has already been done. Her initial post — and the subsequent online debate — has created a firestorm that the store is still struggling to manage. Rubin’s comments reflect a sense of being caught in an impossible situation, simultaneously trying to stay respectful toward Clarkson while also defending his business and staff against what he sees as an unfair public attack.
The story began as an all-too-relatable customer service complaint, the kind of interaction that happens in shops every day. A customer walks in, sees something they like, and feels dismissed by an employee. Sometimes the complaint is valid, sometimes it is the result of a misunderstanding, and sometimes it is blown out of proportion. But when the customer is a global superstar with millions of followers, a routine grievance can quickly spiral into a major public relations crisis. That is exactly what has happened here. Clarkson’s initial tweet, which compared the experience to a scene from Pretty Woman, tapped into a broader cultural narrative about being judged by appearances. The moment she said she was treated like Julia Roberts’ character, the story resonated with people who have felt underestimated or dismissed in stores. That resonance is likely why the post gained so much traction so quickly.
But Rubin’s response raises another question: what happens when a celebrity’s complaint is based on a misunderstanding? In his telling, the store never intended to insult Clarkson. The item she wanted was not available for purchase, and the employee was trying to offer alternatives. If that is true, then Clarkson’s public condemnation — and her call for people to visit the store “if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman” — was disproportionately harsh. Rubin’s reference to “social consequences” suggests he believes Clarkson should be criticized for using her platform in that way, especially against a small business that cannot fight back on equal footing.
On the other hand, Clarkson’s perspective is easy to understand as well. She arrived at a store, excited to shop, and left feeling humiliated. She believed the bird was for sale, she was prepared to spend a significant amount of money, and she was told that something more “comparable” could be found for her. Whether or not that was the employee’s intention, the singer experienced it as condescension. And as a celebrity, she is used to being treated differently — often better — so being treated dismissively stood out to her. In her mind, the story was not about a miscommunication over a $15,000 item; it was about being judged, stereotyped, and dismissed. That is a powerful feeling, and she shared it with her millions of followers without hesitation.
As the dust settles, the situation remains unresolved. Clarkson has gone quiet on the topic, while Rubin continues to deal with the fallout. The store has also seemingly promoted kindness amid the scandal, with reports noting that Art of Play shared a message from another customer as an indirect response. Rubin’s interviews, however, make clear that the controversy has taken a toll. He is uncertain about the future, concerned about the impact on the store, and unapologetic in his belief that Clarkson overstepped.
For now, the mechanical singing bird Molly remains a symbol of this strange, modern conflict — a small object that sparked a massive conversation about celebrity power, public accountability, perception, and forgiveness. Whether Clarkson will ultimately accept Rubin’s invitation to return to the store remains to be seen. But the question Rubin raised — about whether superstars should face social consequences when their critics are ordinary people — is one that will likely continue long after this particular feud fades from the headlines.
