Kelly Clarkson’s ongoing dispute with a Brooklyn store regarding a mechanical bird has taken a costly turn, with the shop now listing the bird, named “Molly,” for a staggering $15 million. Adam Rubin, the co-owner of Art of Play, made this decision amid the viral conflict with the pop star. The store’s current listing describes Molly as the world’s most famous singing bird automaton, designed by Bliss Kolb, with a price tag of $15,000,000.
Rubin also mentioned that if someone purchases the bird, each shop employee would receive $15,000, and Kolb would be paid $1 million. The remaining funds would be used to acquire other antique automata. Despite attempts to reach Art of Play for confirmation, CBC News has not received a response.
The situation has garnered significant attention online, with Clarkson’s visit to the store captured in a video clip that shows her browsing and interacting with store staff. The store’s increased foot traffic due to the publicity has also brought negative backlash from Clarkson’s fans.
According to Rubin, the store was unaware of Clarkson’s identity during her brief visit, where she allegedly scolded an employee. The store clarified that the $15,000 price tag Clarkson saw was for a similar bird that could be produced and sold, not for Molly itself.
Social media users have been actively discussing the incident, with varying opinions on the matter. The situation has sparked debates about customer treatment and perceptions.