Kelly Clarkson’s dispute with a Brooklyn novelty store has grown beyond the singer and the shop’s owner, with local supporters now facing criticism for speaking out in the store’s defense.
The controversy began earlier this month when Clarkson publicly criticized Art of Play after allegedly being denied the chance to buy a mechanical singing bird. The store is owned by children’s author Adam Rubin, who has disputed the singer’s account of what happened.
While the disagreement has sparked heated debate online, some of the shop’s neighbors have also found themselves caught in the middle. Brad Thomas Parsons, one of the people who reportedly defended the store, said he received a wave of personal attacks after praising the business in an Instagram Story over the weekend.
Speaking to The New York Times, Parsons described the insults he received, saying the criticism started with comments about his appearance before becoming more personal.
“First I was being bullied for having red hair, then for being husky. Then it was ‘pedophile,’ ‘wannabe celebrity’ and ‘blue collar,’ as if that was an insult,” he said.
Parsons initially appeared unfazed by the online attacks. However, he said things went too far when someone posted a photo of his cat, Enzo, and expressed hope that the animal would die from cancer.
“That was the last straw. It left a sour taste in my mouth,” Parsons said.
The dispute between Clarkson and Art of Play centers on Molly, a mechanical bird that the singer reportedly wanted to purchase. Clarkson claimed she was treated disrespectfully during her visit to the store. Security footage that later circulated online showed her appearing unhappy while speaking with staff.
Rubin offered a different explanation, saying the bird was not available for purchase because it was used for events at the shop. Clarkson subsequently challenged that account and shared a photo showing Molly with a $15,000 price tag.
The conflicting accounts have fueled ongoing arguments across social media, with supporters taking sides over how the interaction was handled.
Sources have also claimed that Clarkson has been receiving strong support from fans and fellow celebrities, creating what one report described as a “bubble of applause.” However, people close to the singer have reportedly been surprised by how far the controversy has escalated.
Meanwhile, Rubin and his team have allegedly tried to reach Clarkson through multiple channels in hopes of discussing the situation directly. Those efforts have reportedly been unsuccessful, as the online hostility continues.
Neither Clarkson nor Rubin has given a formal interview laying out their full account of the dispute. With no clear resolution in sight, the controversy continues to affect not only the two main parties but also people in the surrounding community who have chosen to speak publicly about the store.
For now, it remains unclear whether the singer and the shop owner will eventually find a way to settle their differences. In the meantime, the backlash against local supporters has added another layer to an already heated dispute.
