Summary (tl;dr)

Kelly Clarkson publicly accused the Brooklyn store "Art of Play" of treating her dismissively, comparing her experience to Julia Roberts' character in "Pretty Woman," which has led to widespread online backlash against the shop.

Essential Background

Art of Play is a specialty store located in Brooklyn, New York, known for its collection of magical home goods, puzzles, games, toys, and books, and also features a small theater for magic shows. The reference to Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" stems from a memorable scene in the 1990 film where her character, Vivian Ward, is dismissed and judged by sales staff in a high-end Beverly Hills boutique due to her appearance.

The Full Story

On Saturday, October 10, Kelly Clarkson took to X (formerly Twitter) to describe a negative shopping experience at Art of Play in Brooklyn, New York. Clarkson alleged that an employee at the store looked at her "as if I couldn't afford it" and offered to find "something comparable" for her, despite her intention to purchase several items. She publicly criticized the store, stating, "Wow, dude. You're an idiot and just lost a huge sale," and sarcastically encouraged her followers to visit if they "enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman." This viral tweet quickly led to significant online outrage, with many internet users subsequently leaving negative reviews on Art of Play's Yelp and Google pages. In response, Art of Play initially reposted positive customer reviews on its Instagram story, which was later deleted. The store has since issued a statement on Instagram, acknowledging Clarkson's visit and the negative experience she described, attributing some of the misunderstanding to a one-of-a-kind bird automaton she inquired about not being for sale.

Why It Matters

This incident highlights the pervasive issue of customer profiling and judgment based on appearance in retail, a problem that resonates widely, as evidenced by the immediate and strong public reaction to Clarkson's post. The high-profile nature of Kelly Clarkson's accusation and her popular culture reference to "Pretty Woman" have amplified the discussion, drawing significant attention to the Brooklyn store and prompting a broader conversation about discriminatory customer service practices. The backlash, including numerous negative online reviews, demonstrates the power of celebrity influence and social media in shaping public perception and holding businesses accountable for customer interactions.

Geographic Location

• Art of Play, Brooklyn, New York City, Kings County, New York, United States (location of alleged mistreatment of Kelly Clarkson)