Kelly Clarkson’s dispute with a Brooklyn store regarding a mechanical bird has escalated in cost to $15 million. Adam Rubin, the co-owner of Art of Play, has decided to list the shop’s automated bird, “Molly,” for sale at a staggering $15 million amidst the ongoing conflict with the pop star. The store’s current listing describes “Molly” as the world’s most renowned singing bird automaton designed by Bliss Kolb.
Rubin mentioned that if someone purchased the bird, he would reward each shop employee with $15,000 and pay Kolb $1 million. The remaining proceeds would be utilized to acquire other antique automata. Despite attempts to confirm with Art of Play, CBC News has not received a response.
This development marks a significant shift in the viral saga, with the price tag now far exceeding the $15,000 that Clarkson claimed to have seen during her visit on October 10. The shop owner expressed concerns about the situation, stating that the store had experienced a surge in foot traffic due to the publicity but had also faced backlash from Clarkson’s fans.
Footage of Clarkson’s visit to the store on October 13, captured by independent journalist Pablo Torre, shows her browsing the store and engaging with a clerk before leaving empty-handed. The online dispute originated from Clarkson’s social media post alleging mistreatment at the shop, which was countered by the store’s response denying the bird’s availability for sale.
The back-and-forth continued as Clarkson posted evidence of the $15,000 price tag on the bird, prompting further explanations from the store about the misunderstanding. As the controversy unfolded online, social media users shared varying perspectives on the incident, highlighting the importance of customer treatment regardless of financial status or celebrity.
