Brooklyn shop sets $15 million price tag on 'Molly' bird after viral feud with Kelly Clarkson

Key points

• Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin confirmed on Tuesday that Molly, a singing and dancing mechanical bird, is now for sale at $15 million.
• Rubin stated the shop is facing threats and doxxing attempts, claiming Clarkson's actions have put staff and neighbors in danger.
• Clarkson claims she was shooed away after inquiring about the bird, while the store says she was told it was not for sale and offered a $2,000 alternative.
• The bird was created by Seattle artist Bliss Kolb, who has not responded to requests for comment.
• Journalist Pablo Torre released surveillance footage of Clarkson's visit, which lacks audio but shows her interacting with staff.

Background

This dispute began on October 11 when Kelly Clarkson posted on social media that she was treated poorly at Art of Play, a Brooklyn novelty shop. By October 13, the store had raised the price of the bird to $15 million, citing 'popular demand.' On October 14, investigative podcaster Pablo Torre released security footage of the visit, which appeared to contradict Clarkson's claims of being treated condescendingly. The current development is the formalization of the $15 million price tag by co-owner Adam Rubin during a press conference.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News reports that Rubin declined to comment on Wednesday after confirming the price on Tuesday. Gothamist provides additional detail on the store's ownership, noting that Rubin's partners are twin magicians Dan and Dave Buck, and highlights the union's criticism of Clarkson's behavior. Yahoo News focuses on the escalation of the feud, emphasizing Rubin's claim that Clarkson 'put us in danger.' The outlets differ in their emphasis: NBC and Yahoo focus on the price and safety concerns, while Gothamist provides more background on the store's operations and the artist's involvement. All sources agree on the core facts of the dispute and the price increase, but differ in their framing of the blame and the impact on the shop.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the power dynamics between celebrities and small businesses in the age of social media, where a single post can lead to widespread harassment and financial impact. It also raises questions about customer service standards and the responsibilities of public figures when interacting with small businesses. The $15 million price tag, while likely symbolic, underscores the extent to which the feud has escalated and the potential for long-term damage to the shop's reputation and operations.

What to watch

It is unclear whether Clarkson or any other buyer will attempt to purchase the bird at the new price. The shop may continue to face online harassment and threats, and the artist Bliss Kolb may eventually respond to the controversy. The dispute could also lead to further legal or public relations actions from either side, depending on how the situation evolves.