The ugly truth of what happened to ‘Pretty Woman’ Kelly Clarkson: She claimed store discriminated against her. Now after it is trashed online… her outrageous diva demand is revealed

Kelly Clarkson declared war on a Brooklyn boutique after claiming a staff member treated her as though she couldn’t afford to shop there – but the store’s fiercely loyal clientele are now leaping to its defense.

Police were summoned to Art of Play at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon over reports of a disorderly person, the Daily Mail can reveal.

A police car was stationed outside the storefront for more than ten minutes as officers spoke to a woman dressed in purple who appeared frantic, waving her arms in an agitated state and gesturing to the interior of the store.

The police presence came a day after Clarkson’s explosive allegations came to light about how she was treated inside the quirky design store, which prides itself on its ‘unique collection of magical home goods, puzzles, games, toys and books,’ per its website.

But neighbors and loyal customers alike have insisted the people behind the business are nothing like the snobs the singer appeared to describe.

‘Very bizarre, the woman who works there comes in every day and she was lovely, really nice they always invite us in to the shop to look around at all their new goods,’ one local Mohammed Ghasai told the Daily Mail.

Another regular customer was equally baffled by the controversy, telling the Daily Mail: ‘This is my regular, my kids love their toys.’

The dramatic clash of accounts comes after the American Idol winner, 44, publicly tore into Art of Play, claiming yesterday that she had traveled all the way to Brooklyn ready to spend money – only to be made to feel as though she wasn’t good enough for the shop.

She then branded the employee who assisted her ‘a huge idiot’ and delivered a withering parting shot: ‘You just lost a huge sale.’ 

Clarkson – who moved to New York City three years ago with her two kids, River, 12, and Remington, ten – then delivered a stinging assessment of the encounter. 

‘But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman,’ she sneered.

The reference was unmistakable. In the 1990 blockbuster, Roberts plays Vivian Ward, who is humiliatingly dismissed from a luxury Beverly Hills boutique by employees who judge her on her appearance – only for her to return later with shopping bags and the now-iconic line: ‘Big mistake. Big. Huge.’

Clarkson’s comparison has thrust the independent Brooklyn shop into an uncomfortable spotlight, inviting her fans to see it as the villain in a familiar tale of retail snobbery.

‘People saying “maybe he didn’t know who Kelly Clarkson was” are missing the point that they should be treating their customers like everyone is Kelly Clarkson,’ said one X user.

Another took aim at the staffer writing, ‘I have spent most of my life in sales, and the number one lesson I have learned is that you have no idea what anyone has in their wallet.’

A third critic slated the store saying, ‘No one deserves to be treated like they cannot afford something… my most wealthy clients were some of my least glamorous… Don’t judge a book by the cover I can go on and on.’ 

‘Imagine being so rude to Kelly Clarkson she has to hit you with a real-life Since U Been Gone,’ quipped a fourth, who accompanied the post with an expletive directed at the staff member. 

Yet the backlash has not been entirely one-sided. Instead of joining the pile-on, some locals have come out in defense of the local store. 

An anonymous source told the Daily Mail: ‘I’ve been there dozens of times and they’re wonderfully kind. They are patient with children and never judge people who pop in to play and leave without buying anything.’

Gushing support for the unassuming boutique, they continued, emphatically adding the store was the ‘polar opposite of a snobby store and instead are a community-supporter, hard-working local business trying to do something different and special.’

And in what appeared to be a carefully timed subtle response, Art of Play shared a glowing customer review on its Instagram Stories shortly after Clarkson’s allegations surfaced.

The testimonial painted a very different picture of life inside the shop, praising its staff for making customers feel welcome.

‘From the very first time I walked into @artofplay, I felt welcomed and treated with such genuine kindness. I love discovering unique treasures and connecting with the wonderful people there,’ the customer wrote, according to Us Weekly.

They went on to call it ‘a place that leaves you smiling and wanting to come back’, adding that they were already counting down the days until their next visit two weeks later.

The post was reportedly later deleted. Whether the review was intended as a pointed riposte to Clarkson’s claims remains unclear, and the store has yet to publicly explain its position. 

Come Sunday afternoon, Art of Play was reposting a series of supportive messages from customers on its Instagram Stories.

The Daily Mail contacted Art of Play to ask about the singer’s allegations, the police attendance and the employee at the center of the feud.

The shop declined to answer questions at the time but told the Daily Mail the employee in question was still working at the store. Shortly after, they released a statement sharing their experience.

 

‘Yesterday, Kelly Clarkson visited us in Brooklyn and inquired about buying “Molly,” a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here. 

‘Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale. However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop.

‘At Art of Play whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome. 

‘We greet everyone who walks in the door with the invitation to “pick things up and play.”‘ And they do, many stay for hours enjoying our puzzles, games and toys.

‘Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store. It’s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity.’

The store thanked their loyal customer base sincerely for sticking by them amid the drama and added their wish to clear things up with the star.

In a reference to the pop star’s own lyrics from her 2012 hit song ‘Stronger,’ the store polished off the statement with a pointed note: ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’