Kelly Clarkson Takes Aim At Brooklyn Store; Claims She Got The “Pretty Woman” Treatment

00:00:02
Speaker 1: Hey there, folks. It is Monday, October 12th. And will somebody please give Kelly Clarkson that damn bird so this viral argument can end. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ Robes, a story that has gone bananas this weekend. Why is the American Idol darling in a fight with a damn Brooklyn specialty shop? What the hell?

00:00:28
Speaker 2: This is disappointing. I guess that's the best way for me to put it. I have been a Kelly Clarkson fan since the very beginning. American Idol, like that season she won, I was all in. And I have been rooting her on every step of the way. I love her music.

00:00:45
Speaker 1: And her personal and professional ventures, always rooted for. Always. In all matters.

00:00:50
Speaker 2: Always.

00:00:51
Speaker 1: Robes, this is just an odd story. It is really an odd story, and it split people. Some in the debate of what happened in the store, but some, obviously, Kelly Clarkson fans are going to jump and run and defend her, and then you got other people who are trying to defend the store. Okay, let's get into what happened, but it came to us from Kelly Clarkson herself. It's not like we had a viral video or something was caught by somebody. No, Rose, this was, she decided to go out and do this herself. So this is what started it all. Her post, what was it, Saturday or Sunday?

00:01:20
Speaker 2: I believe, I don't know if it was Saturday or Sunday, but it was over the weekend. Kelly Clarkson put this out on X, correct? Correct. She said 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 with a thumbs down.

00:01:58
Speaker 1: Oh, Lord Jesus. What has happened? Folks went crazy. That initial post-robes has been viewed by, I think, at least 40 million people. At least 40 million.

00:02:08
Speaker 2: Yes.

00:02:08
Speaker 1: Have in some way seen and have commented on that. Now, what the hell is she talking about, first of all? What store is she talking about? It's called Art of Play. In Brooklyn, this is described as a specialty shop, but Art of Play is in the title for a reason. It focuses on what looks like a lot of games and gifts and cards and specialty, just things for play around the house. Fair?

00:02:33
Speaker 2: Yes, exactly. And look, they describe themselves. I think we actually have their description. Located at the start of Atlantic Avenue near Brooklyn Bridge Park, our unique collection of magical home goods, puzzles, games, toys, and books has been called one of the most beautiful shops in New York City. And our intimate 26-seat theater hosts performances from the best close-up magicians in the world.

00:02:55
Speaker 1: That's the spot we're talking about. Now, this spot happens to be, Robes, two subway stops from us over in Brooklyn. We live in Lower Manhattan. We've talked about it down at Battery Park. Robes, this place is very close to us. We could walk to it. We drive to it. It takes 10 minutes. So this is something that is very close to us. And you can rest assured they're getting a lot of visits right now. I kind of want to go by.

00:03:18
Speaker 2: I was thinking the same thing.

00:03:19
Speaker 1: I kind of want to go back.

00:03:19
Speaker 2: I would absolutely go to the store just to show some love because, yes, the store owner said based on that post, he actually went on X and said Kelly Clarkson just ruined my business. He just said he got $ 8 million in. attacks online and people boycotting. And certainly, look, on one hand, you could say his store has been put on the map. On the other hand, it's now the target of outrage by every Kelly Clarkson fan.

00:03:47
Speaker 1: So Art of Play, after her initial, the first, when I first got on to the story road and saw it, she had 6 million views on that initial post. So this was getting around quickly. So Art of Play did have a response, and it was a rather long one. It seemed like they had some explaining to do, and this is how. This was their initial, right, Robes, their initial response to Kelly Clarkson's initial accusation.

00:04:12
Speaker 2: Yes, they went on to say, 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 was, 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.

00:05:37
Speaker 1: Okay, that is what it is. Had some explaining to do. Robes, I thought that might be it. It sounded like, to me, there was... They didn't even go as far as saying this absolutely did not happen. They were kind of open. She has a negative experience. Nobody would want to have that. Okay, fine. Why was that not the end of it? I don't know.

00:05:57
Speaker 2: I thought that was a measured, clever, kind response. Acknowledging what happened. but just basically not calling out the singer for misrepresenting. not defending anyone, but that did not sit well with Kelly Clarkson. I think she just wanted an apology. We're so sorry, Ms. Clarkson. Come back and buy the bird if you want it. I don't know if that's what she wanted, but she did not like that response. Her follow-up was really, really tough for me. Look, the big issue, and we'll read it, it's her absolute sarcasm. I think that's a huge part of this.

00:06:36
Speaker 1: Just let folks read. We're going to give you our complete thoughts here, but let folks take this in on their own. Yeah, I think that's no, as far as the sarcasm goes, she does have, I guess, a couple of emojis in there, a thumbs up and a check for emphasis in a couple of places. But she starts off again. This is her response to Art of Play's response to her. Quote, cool, cool. Sure. It wasn't for sale. That's the narrative Art of Play is going to go with. Thumbs up. 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. So if you'd like me to find something comparable for you, I can. That all never happened. And now it's for sale. Okay, cool. So you're not only rude, you're also a liar. Got it. Check emoji. And by the way, I obviously support small business because I was literally at a small business trying to purchase things. I love small businesses and know they are important and I always support them, but you don't get a free pass to treat people less. Less than in your store just because you're a small business. It's not that hard to be kind. I never blasted people, but you, my friend, were an exception. Your store is really cool. Unfortunately, you aren't. That's her response. And then, Robes, it gets a little more into the details, at least, from Art of Play's follow-up to that.

00:08:13
Speaker 2: We'd like to clarify one additional detail about Kelly Clarkson's visit to our Curiosity Shop on Saturday. During the five minutes she spent in the store... She inquired about our mechanical bird puppet named Molly. We explained that while Molly is permanently attached to the wall and serves as a de facto mascot for our shop, a nearly identical automaton is owned by the creator of the machines, a brilliant artist named Bliss Kolb, who lives in Seattle. He told us he would be willing to part with Molly's twin for $ 15, 000. We explained all of this to Kelly Clarkson. We also showed her a different singing bird automaton made by a traditional clockmaking shop in Germany that she could have taken home with her that day. It costs about $ 2, 000. She did not stick around long enough to see it. We've reached out to Kelly directly to try and clear the air. We really do wish her the best and hope that someday we can all laugh about this misunderstanding.

00:09:16
Speaker 1: Is that going to be the end? Because as of this recording here on Monday morning on Columbus Day, that is the latest from the two sides, at least in this matter. Will we hear more? We do not know. But Robes, I'm not sure where we should even start with this. So let's go to the beginning. Kelly Clarkson's initial post, baby. This seems like someone who genuinely robs, don't want to take anything away from it. She had an experience that made her feel less than or made her feel disrespected. Somebody was rude to her. She feels how she wants to feel and she can post this. Everybody else has the right to do that.

00:09:54
Speaker 2: Absolutely. But she also knows that with her posts come a responsibility because she is Kelly Clarkson.

00:09:59
Speaker 1: But, uh, I'm going to take her fan side right now. Who cares? You treated her this way. She has a right to voice her concern like everybody else. So in that respect, she's done nothing here wrong.

00:10:11
Speaker 2: Yes, but I do think that she needs to understand the power of her voice, the power of her social media. And she knows that if she says something about someone, especially as beloved and regarded and respected as she is, she could literally ruin someone's business. Okay.

00:10:27
Speaker 1: Well, I'm still going back to Do we have some point? You keep giving me the but, and I understand what you're saying. But is there no space you would leave for, you know what, she can do what she wants to do. It has consequences. But is there anything wrong, necessarily? Well, no, the consequences, and I guess that's what the but part getting to. You seem to be saying that this was wrong, given who she is.

00:10:50
Speaker 2: I think that, no, so I will say that I do think she obviously, obviously has a right. to express her opinion and express how she feels. But I just don't know if she maybe took a beat. You know what I think she did? She posted in anger. And I think that that is always a mistake. If she had given it 24 hours and said, what do I want from this? I guess the point is, what was her goal? And look, I don't always do this right, but it's something I always try to tell my daughters. Before you say something, post something, write something, fire off even a Text to a friend you're in a fight with. Are you doing it out of anger? If you're doing it out of anger, take a beat. Give it 24 hours.

00:11:33
Speaker 1: This was venting. There was no point. If you go through that standard, you just gave this. There was no point to this.

00:11:41
Speaker 2: And what was her goal? If her goal was to.

00:11:44
Speaker 1: Feel better. She wanted to vent. She wanted to get back at somebody that she felt just wronged her. We've all been there, baby. But does this punishment that this company is getting... And the threat, potentially, of this business not being around, does it fit the crime that we don't even have good clarity on?

00:12:04
Speaker 2: Right?

00:12:04
Speaker 1: Does it fit? If she was treated rudely in that store, does that store not have the right to exist anymore? Should it not exist because a celebrity was treated wrong? Obviously, no.

00:12:15
Speaker 2: Obviously, no. And look, you can have one bad employee, and maybe that employee was the owner. We don't know who the employee was. We don't know what the interaction was. But clearly, she felt hurt And she felt slighted and judged. And yes, she made the reference to Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman where they think she can't afford something. The problem is that then gets into a place where so many people in this country feel that way every single day. They don't have the voice. They don't have the power. So is she standing up for all those other folks? Or is she an entitled, wealthy woman who is used to being treated a certain way? And the moment she's not given what she wants, and she can't write a check for it, she behaves like a toddler. And unfortunately, she's getting that backlash quite a bit online.

00:13:01
Speaker 1: Yeah, and Robes, I don't know how to... This is so subjective. I was literally looked at as if I couldn't afford it. I was literally looked at as if I couldn't afford it. Robes, this is going to sound funny to some people here in New York. It's Brooklyn, right? Most people walking around Brooklyn you wouldn't think could afford because they got beat.

00:13:27
Speaker 2: It's Brooklyn. Brooklyn is like homeless chic.

00:13:31
Speaker 1: It's Brooklyn. Nobody looks like they can afford that apartment, that car, that dinner, that drink. So that means everybody looks like they can afford it in Brooklyn because everybody looks like that. I thought that was so weird that anybody would look at anybody in Brooklyn. and think they couldn't afford something. Everybody in Brooklyn looks like that.

00:13:50
Speaker 2: Babe, you make such a good point. They are shit.

00:13:52
Speaker 1: You do.

00:13:52
Speaker 2: We're not talking about Madison Avenue. No. Like the whole pretty woman thing where you're like Rodeo Drive. Thank you. You're literally walking down a chic, expensive street where only like the richest of the rich. This is Brooklyn.

00:14:05
Speaker 1: This is Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. This is Brooklyn. That part I thought was just special. Art of Play Roles. Let me ask you about this part in their response. Their line, the negative experience Kelly described on Twitter would resonate with anyone. It sounds almost like an admission. Does it not?

00:14:24
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, and maybe they are admitting that maybe one of their employees wasn't as tactful as they could have.

00:14:31
Speaker 1: Or should have been. But they didn't say, I'm sorry. They didn't go into that, babe. They just said, however, the negative experience... Wouldn't resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop.

00:14:39
Speaker 2: I think they were trying to validate her and keep her calm.

00:14:42
Speaker 1: Validate and not apologize, right? They validate. It's almost like they didn't throw their own employee under the bus kind of a thing. Maybe they're trying to, maybe this was a fast response before they could get all the details. I just thought that was interesting how they, to your point, baby, we say this all the time. If you're in an argument with somebody and have a disagreement, start with this. Just validating how they feel.

00:15:01
Speaker 2: Yeah. So they did, but they stopped short of an apology. Yeah.

00:15:05
Speaker 1: The part there at the end, they say about keeping their heads down, hopefully clear this up with her later. Again, it didn't sound like an apology or they were going to keep on. They were just, it sounded like they were just trying to hold on.

00:15:15
Speaker 2: Yeah. They were trying to not escalate, I think is what they were trying to do. Yeah.

00:15:22
Speaker 1: What do you think? You elevator-eyed me saying in a condescending tone. Those things, babe, that's up for interpretation all the time. That's how she received it. Based on What? Maybe the day she was having or maybe the day the employee was having. It's one of those things. There's no elevator eyes. What does that mean?

00:15:41
Speaker 2: It means when someone looks you up and down.

00:15:44
Speaker 1: Elevator eyed me.

00:15:45
Speaker 2: Yes. Like women do this to other women all the time. Like you can walk up and go, wow, I just saw you do that. Like look me up and down. And it's an immediate, like for women, it's an, I don't know, it's funny. Men might not have this experience, but every woman will know what it's like. And the moment you see another woman, and it's almost always another woman, do this to you.

00:16:04
Speaker 1: I'm trying to see if it says he anywhere. Was this a woman in the interaction?

00:16:07
Speaker 2: Yeah. It could be a woman. I also would argue that I've seen certain types of men do that kind of a thing as well. And it's an immediate, it's almost like the energy, you know, we are not friends. Like you are judging me. You are putting me in a certain place.

00:16:24
Speaker 1: This is a woman thing? They never refer to a he or a she.

00:16:28
Speaker 2: It could be also a gay man. I've seen that absolutely go back and forth.

00:16:32
Speaker 1: Rose, you just pointed something out I never would have. I'm looking at this now. Does this change anything about dynamics of this story if it was two women versus a man and a woman in that interaction?

00:16:44
Speaker 2: Or a gay man and a woman.

00:16:46
Speaker 1: All this stuff plays into it. A gay man would know exactly who Kelly Clarkson was, first of all.

00:16:50
Speaker 2: You know, that's so true. And the pretty woman thing, it's two other women doing it to a woman. It's a woman-on-woman thing usually.

00:16:57
Speaker 1: Did Julia Roberts look like she could afford anything in that story when she walked in the first time?

00:17:01
Speaker 2: No, she looked like a prostitute. Okay. Okay.

00:17:03
Speaker 1: And no, shouldn't judge her either. But stay here, folks. We'll give you our fuller thoughts on where this thing, at least where we think it needs to be going now, and also some perspective we can add to this interaction. And the other funny thing about this story, we got an update about the bird that Kelly Clarkson was trying to buy. Stay here.

00:17:39
Speaker 2: Welcome back, everyone, to Amy and TJ. We have some thoughts on what took place over this weekend here in Brooklyn, New York, between Kelly Clarkson and a specialty shop in Brooklyn. It's called The Art of Play. She apparently wanted to buy a... How do they call it? An ottoman? I don't know. It looks amazing. It's made by an artisan, basically, who is kind of a one of a kind, apparently in the store. It had a $ 15, 000 price tag next to it. But according to everything I've seen online and people coming to the defense of this store, It is basically the mascot of the store. It's used in its magic shows that it hosts periodically. And that the price tag was basically to either have one made for you or there was a companion, a twin, so to speak, a sister piece that was available. But that particular bird was permanent, was a fixture. So yes, there's a price tag, but It just means that another one could be made for you.

00:18:48
Speaker 1: Yeah, and even as we're discussing this, Robes, it takes some explanation. So if, I don't know, if she goes in, she wants the bird, you can't have that bird, it costs $ 15, 000, and it turns into all this thing. But, Robes, they're not making it up about this bird. It's been a part of this shop for a long time, and people have come in and inquired about it before and whatnot. Robes, they have it posted on their Instagram, this bird under a, a post they made a long time ago. Not for sale. They say things in our store that aren't for sale, things you love that aren't for sale, things you can still come play with that aren't for sale. The front of that had the damn bird on it.

00:19:26
Speaker 2: You know what this reminds me of? Yes, exactly. You know what this reminds me of? Something so much smaller. But I remember it was last year we were on vacation. Annalise was with us and we walked into a store in Sayulita and it was a kind of a specialty shop and they had this beautiful leopard that was like, like totally cool. We were looking for things on our shelves and I took a picture of it and I sent it to you and you said, how much? much is it? Yes. I love it. I went to the store and I'm like, I let, they're like, I'm so sorry. It's not for sale. I was like, Oh, there's nothing. And she's like, nope. And I was like, okay. Okay. End of story.

00:20:00
Speaker 1: Oh, the correct response is, then why the hell you have it on display?

00:20:03
Speaker 2: Yeah.

00:20:03
Speaker 1: And I see a tag near it.

00:20:05
Speaker 2: Yeah. And why are you looking at me like that? You think I can't afford this?

00:20:08
Speaker 1: Well, we want to. Well, we always, you know what I say, is you have to leave space for whatever the experience was that she had. I just always am one who wants to leave space for whatever that employee might have been going through. Robes, both of these people, this is, there's no... way this story should be happening. There should not be a controversy. This should have gotten handled. If she felt the way, like 100% if it happened the way Kelly Clarkson said it happened. Baby, this is a tough punishment to give to a small business in Brooklyn because an employee doesn't wasn't that nice to you or nice enough or rude. Could absolutely be rude.

00:20:52
Speaker 2: Absolutely. I'm sure the employee was rude to elicit this response.

00:20:55
Speaker 1: I'm not sure of that. Babe, I'm actually not sure of that, but I'm trying to give Kelly Clarkson every bit of the story. But Robes, how many times, what is that employee going through? What news did they get before they came into work? What illness does their mother have? Are their lights about to get cut off? I'm just saying, I leave space, babe, for somebody having a bad moment doesn't have to result in you destroying their business.

00:21:19
Speaker 2: Exactly. And she's getting a lot of that, a lot of that on Twitter. This has blown up. And yes, we know that the owner of the store is saying, this has ruined my life. This has ruined my store. However, it might be interesting to see how this story twists and turns because a lot of folks are taking to X right now. You mentioned 41.4 million views as of this recording. But this is a couple of examples. So you wanted to buy something that was not for sale. When denied, you pulled the I'm famous card and then tried to destroy the small business. F off, you entitled, spoiled brat. I mean, that is what some people are saying, unfortunately. Using your fame to try and destroy a small business because one employee hurt your ego is wild. Shame on you. Gross. So, I mean, that's the kind of thing that... So, basically, Kelly Clarkson is an asshole who pulled a Chrissy Teigen by sending a mob after a small business because they wouldn't let her buy something that wasn't for sale. This is, unfortunately for her, how I believe this story is going to evolve.

00:22:26
Speaker 1: I mean, she has a big legion of fans who just say, period, point blank, that the point of this story, Rogues, they say, is that she was treated poorly... And they didn't know who she was, but they should treat everybody the same way in the store. That I understand and appreciate. Robes, the first part of the story for me immediately, like black folks are laughing at this. Black folks are laughing at this because every black person, this happens to weekly. Robes, you have seen it. I have seen it. You have heard it from me. This is nothing. I go into a store looking like a bum and I can't afford it. I go into a store dressed up in a suit, then I must work here. That's what I get. This is some bullshit. To hear someone, to think a store is going to be destroyed, possibly Robes, over behavior that we get all the time. Robes, 2017, Donald Trump's inauguration. I was in D.C., went into a jewelry store the day I was supposed to leave. I can still draw you that store because soon as she locked eyes with me, the woman said, hello, our sale items are on this rack right here in a jewelry store. Robes, I can draw you the outline of that, and that was 2017. Robes, I got into the practice of always going to a car dealership dressed up because every time I go just in casual clothes, I'm out on the lot for an hour and nobody will come talk to me. Robes, this is some crap to think think that you just experienced something that we have to deal with our entire lives and it caused this reaction. Now, I'm sure this is new to her, but man, perspective is a bitch and black folks laughing. This is a, wait, what? Wait, what happened to her? She what? This is so infuriating to that the conversation is about what, a damn bird that she couldn't buy. Come on, we have to do better, baby. And now we talk to people, treat people, and give people a little bit of a break. And we're giving her one, and we just wish she would have given the store one.

00:24:50
Speaker 2: Exactly. And I hear everything you're saying. I remember even a time with you a couple of times where people will come straight to you and ask you if they can take what's in your hand up to the And they're acting like they're being of service. So let me take that off your hands and bring it up to the cash register for you. But I had things in my hands and no one asked me because they don't want you to steal it.

00:25:11
Speaker 1: I get harassed in stores carrying stuff around. Nope, I got it.

00:25:16
Speaker 2: I got it.

00:25:17
Speaker 1: I keep going the whole time. Nope, I got it. I got it. I got it. I can name stores here in New York that's happened to us here this summer even. Robes, come on. This is silly. Robes, they always look at you. People look at us all the time and think we can't afford. How many waiters are assholes? Because I'm the one handling the bill. I'm the one handling the interaction at the table. And then as soon as I pay the check, they come back. Robes, guy came back and gave us free drinks. His attitude changed because he had some mindset that, oh.

00:25:46
Speaker 2: That guy. He's not going to tip well.

00:25:47
Speaker 1: That guy. And then everything changes. It happens all the time. Robes, this is certainly a weekly, but this is all life for a lot of people. And just please, folks, a little perspective there about what this was. Surely she felt wronged, and that's fine. But I need to be calling out businesses left and right.

00:26:09
Speaker 2: I do think that perspective is super important. And I don't think anyone who hasn't had that experience, I will tell you as a white woman, I don't have that experience. I am immediately trustworthy. I have the money to back up whatever is in my hands. And I've never been looked at or thought of in that way. So the moment, the first time maybe Kelly Clarkson has felt like that, especially recently in her last several decades where she's been somebody who is a a household name and a recognizable face with deep pockets. She doesn't know what it feels like. And I'm not saying it's correct to be treated that way. Nobody should be treated that way. But her reaction was so incendiary. I mean, just again, dripping in sarcasm. Just, I think that was the tough thing. Like, Oh wow, dude, you're an idiot. Like she was also using certain language that was very aggressive and she could have, if she really wanted to make a point or really wanted to, um, have a conversation about how people are treated, um, she didn't need to then treat that employee equally horribly, which she did online. And then she, in turn, also tried to sink a business.

00:27:10
Speaker 1: Well, I didn't think about that. Grace, right? All of it.

00:27:14
Speaker 2: She wanted it, but she wasn't willing to give it to them.

00:27:17
Speaker 1: Grace, grace, grace, grace. We're going to be talking about this some more because everybody's going to be talking about this some more. We have more thoughts. We're going to put them somewhere else because we couldn't get it all into this episode of this podcast. Yeah. We appreciate you. Keep the conversation going, but keep it kind. And yes, give everybody a little bit of grace if you can. I'm TJ. That's Robes. We'll talk soon.