Josh Johnson Weighs In on Kelly Clarkson’s Brooklyn Toy Store Feud

The conflict began after Clarkson visited Art of Play, where she expressed interest in buying a mechanical bird named “Molly.” While the store maintains that the display piece was not for sale—and that an employee offered a more affordable alternative—Clarkson claimed she was treated with condescension. Security footage later surfaced showing the singer spent less than five minutes in the shop, fueling a heated social media debate over whether she was unfairly judged based on her casual appearance.

Johnson, a Brooklyn resident, told his audience at the Riverside Theatre that the store’s behavior resonated with anyone who has faced similar "elevator eyes" from retail staff. He specifically criticized the shop’s defensive response to the controversy, which included quoting Clarkson’s own song lyrics. Johnson dismissed the store's attempt to frame the interaction as a misunderstanding, suggesting they intentionally made it appear as if the singer was attempting to buy an unavailable fixture rather than a high-end item. He noted that raising the bird’s price to $15 million in a subsequent "joke" only served to highlight the shop's unprofessional stance.