Security camera footage released Tuesday night reveals Kelly Clarkson spent precisely four minutes and 50 seconds during her viral visit to Brooklyn toy store Art of Play, where she interacted with a kaleidoscope and an automaton bird before a sharp online fallout with the shop owner.
Pablo Torre shared the silent security video on Tuesday night after promising viewers a look at the Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)
singer’s recent stop at the Brooklyn shop. Clarkson spent the majority of her brief visit playing with an item resembling a kaleidoscope near the store’s entrance, before inquiring about a wall-mounted automaton bird named Molly, according to the footage.
Security Footage Captures Brooklyn Toy Store Visit
The video shows Clarkson’s interaction with the Art of Play owner was relatively short. After asking about Molly—a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton that plays a central role in the store’s magic shows—Clarkson walked away toward another section of the shop. The owner attempted to redirect her attention to a product on an adjacent wall, but she did not appear to respond, prompting him to assist another customer.
As she headed toward the exit, Clarkson appeared to exchange strong feelings with a second man working the cash register. Exactly 15 minutes after leaving the store, the singer took to social media to voice her frustration under her Miss Independent persona.
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. 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 👎
Kelly Clarkson, Singer
Store Responds to Backlash Over $2,000 Automaton
The staff’s suggested comparable
item turned out to be a pair of alternative automaton birds crafted by a German clockmaker, retailing at $2,000. Torre purchased the high-end item, unveiled it on his show, and announced plans to auction it off.
Following Clarkson’s public post, the shop addressed the backlash online, stating that their business was suddenly flooded by millions of views from people who had never stepped foot inside.
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. However, the negative experience Kelly described on Twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop.
Art of Play owner, Art of Play
The shop added that everyone is welcomed equally whether they intend to buy or simply browse, noting that visitors are regularly greeted with an invitation to pick things up and play.
Following the initial back-and-forth between the singer, the store, and users across X, Torre stepped in to investigate the security footage.
