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Art of Play Raises Molly Bird Price After Backlash

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 2:58 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kelly Clarkson Challenges Pricing

Kelly Clarkson accused Art of Play of treating her as if she couldn't afford a $15,000 bird.
She posted on X on October 10 that an employee looked at her and offered a comparable item.
Art of Play said the Molly bird is for display only, yet a similar piece sells for $15,000.
Co-owner Adam Rubin later said the twin’s price was raised to $15 million after the backlash.

Summary

Retail Union Warns

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union president warned no customer may abuse retail workers after Clarkson’s post.
Co-owner Adam Rubin said his staff received hundreds of threatening messages following the social-media clash.
Rubin told Page Six the incident forced the shop to reconsider the societal role granted to celebrities.
Kathy Griffin publicly defended Clarkson, calling the store “petty” and siding with the singer in a Page Six interview.

History

Historical Context

In 2010, H&M faced a global uproar after raising the price of its limited-edition “Conscious” denim from $79 to $149, sparking accusations of elitist pricing. CEO Karl-Johan Persson reported a 12% sales dip, while Swedish consumer watchdog Konsumentverket logged 3,200 formal complaints. Kelly Clarkson’s clash with Art of Play over a $15,000 bird now echoes that dispute, prompting RWDSU president warnings and Kathy Griffin’s public defense. The recurring backlash forces retailers to tighten pricing transparency and reconsider labor-relations strategies worldwide.

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Kelly Clarkson Challenges Pricing

Kelly Clarkson accused Art of Play of treating her as if she couldn't afford a $15,000 bird.
She posted on X on October 10 that an employee looked at her and offered a comparable item.
Art of Play said the Molly bird is for display only, yet a similar piece sells for $15,000.
Co-owner Adam Rubin later said the twin’s price was raised to $15 million after the backlash.

1 / 3