A PR pro says Kelly Clarkson made one big mistake in her feud with a Brooklyn toy shop

Kelly Clarkson hosts "The Kelly Clarkson Show." Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Kelly Clarkson publicly scolded a small business in Brooklyn after visiting the store.

The store, Art of Play, responded with two public statements attempting to reframe the interaction.

PR pro Evan Nierman says both parties attempted to position themselves as victims to gain sympathy.

When a feud is brought into the court of public opinion, the winner isn't necessarily the one who's technically "right." It's the one who crafts the better narrative.

That's the main thing that Kelly Clarkson is missing in her viral clash with a small business in Brooklyn , according to Evan Nierman, CEO of the global PR firm Red Banyan.

"This is more about feelings than facts," Nierman said.

The much-publicized kerfuffle started on Saturday, when Clarkson shared a post on X about her recent visit to Art of Play, a store that sells toys, puzzles, gifts, and other oddities.

Clarkson said she was treated poorly at the store, comparing herself to Julia Roberts' " Pretty Woman " heroine — specifically, the memorable scene in which she is rejected and mocked in a fancy Beverly Hills boutique.

Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me.

Wow, dude.

You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.

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

For sure, check it out 👎 — Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 10, 2026 Clarkson said she tried to buy something expensive at Art of Play but was treated as if she "couldn't afford it." However, the shop employee Clarkson dealt with remembers the interaction differently.

Art of Play responded with a public statement , saying that Clarkson inquired about a one-of-a-kind mechanical bird puppet nicknamed "Molly," and she was told it wasn't for sale.