Kelly Clarkson accused the Brooklyn specialty shop Art of Play of discriminatory service on October 10, 2026, claiming a store employee assumed she could not afford their merchandise. The singer compared the encounter to a scene from the film Pretty Woman, prompting a wave of negative online attention for the business.
The Encounter at Art of Play
Kelly Clarkson, the 44-year-old singer and former talk show host, visited the Brooklyn Heights shop Art of Play on October 10, 2026, with the intention of purchasing several items. According to Clarkson, the experience quickly soured when a staff member allegedly assessed her appearance and suggested he could find something comparable
for her instead of showing her the goods she requested. The singer, who has lived in New York City since 2023, expressed her frustration to her 8.8 million followers on X, noting that she had traveled specifically to the store because she found it rad.
“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.”
Kelly Clarkson, singer and host
The reference points to a 1990 film scene where Roberts’ character, Vivian Ward, is dismissed by sales staff at a high-end boutique before returning later to declare the store made a big mistake. Big. Huge.
Clarkson, a three-time Grammy winner, noted that she was treated dismissively despite her status, prompting widespread online discussion regarding retail profiling.
https://x.com/kellyclarkson/status/2108998378675933224
Twin Brothers Operate Curiosity Shop Featuring Magic Theater
Art of Play, which transplanted from San Diego to Brooklyn Heights in 2024, is owned by identical twins Dan and Dave Buck. The establishment functions as a specialty curiosity shop, selling eclectic items including puzzles, games, books, and collectible playing cards. It also features a 26-seat theater designed for close-up magic performances. The store’s inventory ranges from accessible Playful Gifts
costing less than $50 to high-end home goods, such as a $4,100 Sisyphus Kinetic Art Table, a $2,400 Hummingbird Flipbook Machine, and a $400 Yama Tower coffee brewer.
Business Disables Social Media Comments Following Review
While the owner told the New York Daily News that he had no immediate comment on the scathing review, the business attempted to mitigate the backlash via its Instagram Stories by sharing a message from a customer who praised the staff’s genuine kindness.
The customer, who claimed to be counting down the days until a return visit, stated that they always felt welcomed
at the shop. However, this post—along with others defending the staff—was deleted shortly after being shared. The store has since disabled comments on its Instagram account.
Celebrities Share Past Instances of Retail Profiling
Clarkson’s public airing of her shopping experience has reignited a debate about retail profiling. She is not the first celebrity to recount being judged by store staff. Jennifer Lopez, for instance, was turned away from a Chanel store in Istanbul in 2025 because the shop was at capacity. Miley Cyrus has also cited the film when explaining her disdain for shopping on Rodeo Drive. In the case of Selena Quintanilla, a salesperson once assumed she could not afford an $800 dress, a moment later featured in the singer’s biopic.
Singer Ends Daytime Talk Show to Prioritize Family
In February 2026, she announced that she would conclude her long-running daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, after seven seasons. The series finale aired in August 2026, nearly seven years after its premiere. Clarkson explained that she wanted to prioritize spending time with her children—River Rose, 11, and Remington Alexander, 10—following the death of their father, Brandon Blackstock, in August 2025.
https://x.com/TOVUMBACK/status/2109044428966920430
As of October 11, 2026, Art of Play has not released a formal statement regarding the specific claims made by Clarkson, and the singer has not provided further details about the interaction.
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