The co-owner of a Brooklyn curiosity shop says a public dispute with singer Kelly Clarkson has escalated into something far more serious than a disagreement over a mechanical bird, claiming his staff and supporters have faced threats and had personal information exposed online.
Adam Rubin, co-owner of Art of Play and a children’s author, spoke with Fox News Digital inside the store Tuesday morning. “But I am afraid for the safety of our shop. Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger,” Rubin said.
Rubin said the backlash has gone beyond angry comments on social media. “We’ve got incredible support from our neighbors and fans over the past few days, and all of them have been attacked, threatened, doxed,” he said.
He also accused Clarkson of an “abuse of power,” arguing her massive public platform has amplified the pressure on his small business. “You can’t just try to squash somebody like a bug and expect everybody to give you a pass,” Rubin said. He questioned why strangers with no connection to the store would join the pile-on.
The $15 Million Bird
At the center of the dispute is Molly, a mechanical singing bird automaton that has become something of a local celebrity in its own right. A photo taken Tuesday showed a new sign next to Molly crediting artist Bliss Kolb and listing a price of “$15,000,000” — a thousand times the $15,000 figure originally cited in Clarkson’s complaint.
The sign calls Molly “The world’s most famous singing bird automata!” Art of Play has said the original $15,000 figure referred to a nearly identical bird available from Kolb, while Molly herself is permanently mounted to the wall and performs as part of the shop’s magic shows, not for sale.
Rubin described the new $15 million figure as simple “supply and demand,” pointing to the attention Molly has drawn since Clarkson’s visit made her, in his telling, one of the most recognizable mechanical birds in the world.
How the Dispute Started
The clash began Saturday when Clarkson visited the shop and later wrote on social media that she felt an employee treated her as though she couldn’t afford the merchandise, likening the experience to Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman.”
“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,” Clarkson wrote. “Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.”
After Art of Play disputed her account, Clarkson said she had pointed to the $15,000 price tag and was told the bird was for sale, only to have an employee suggest something comparable instead. “So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it,” she wrote.
Art of Play has called the exchange a misunderstanding, saying employees offered Clarkson the chance to buy a similar bird from Kolb directly, along with another singing bird automaton priced at roughly $2,000.
“I’m Not Even Supposed to Be Here”
Rubin told Fox News Digital he came into the store Tuesday despite recovering from a recent medical procedure. “I’m not even supposed to be here today. I got a cancer removed from my face last week,” he said. “I’m getting the stitches out tonight.” He said concern over the shop’s safety brought him in anyway.
Rubin, who is also a magician, described Art of Play as “a curiosity shop” filled with spinning tops, kaleidoscopes, puzzles, games and playing cards. “And the reason this place exists is to make people feel like a kid again,” he said. The business started online before a small San Diego location, and the Brooklyn store opened about two years ago. It also includes a small theater for close-up magic performances, with Molly as the opening act.
Despite everything, Rubin said Clarkson would still be welcome at the shop. “We messaged her. I don’t know if she saw it. I don’t know if she cares,” he said.
Fox News Digital said it reached out to a representative for Clarkson for comment.
