Kelly Clarkson’s ongoing dispute with a Brooklyn store regarding a mechanical bird has taken a costly turn, with the bird now listed for sale at a staggering $15 million. The co-owner of Art of Play, Adam Rubin, decided to put up the shop’s automated bird named “Molly” for sale at this exorbitant price amid the feud with the pop star.
The store’s listing now showcases Molly as “the world’s most famous singing bird automata” designed by Bliss Kolb, priced at $15,000,000. Rubin has also expressed intentions to reward each shop employee with $15,000 and offer Kolb $1 million if the bird is sold, with the remaining proceeds earmarked for the acquisition of other antique automata.
In response to the escalating situation, CBC News reached out to Art of Play for confirmation, but has not received a response yet. The conflict has gained widespread attention online, particularly following Clarkson’s reported visit to the store where she claimed to have been mistreated.
Rubin, the shop owner, has highlighted a surge in foot traffic due to the controversy but also noted a backlash from fans of Kelly Clarkson, stating, “Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger.” The incident involving Clarkson’s visit to the store was captured in footage released by an independent journalist, showing Clarkson browsing the store and engaging with staff before leaving.
The dispute originated from Clarkson’s social media post alleging mistreatment at the store, which was countered by Art of Play’s statement that the bird in question was not for sale. The back-and-forth continued as Clarkson refuted the store’s claims, leading to a public exchange between the singer and the shop on social media.
As opinions continue to diverge online, users have been actively discussing the situation and sharing their perspectives on the interaction between Kelly Clarkson and Art of Play, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and communication in retail settings.