Sourced fact
The News
A toy and entertainment store in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, New York, has become the center of social media debate after singer Kelly Clarkson alleged she was discriminated against at the store. In a video posted on her personal account, Clarkson claimed that the staff at the store refused to sell her a mechanical singing and dancing bird priced at $15,000, suggesting they treated her as if she could not afford it. According to Clarkson, the store said the bird costs $15,000 and offered her a similar bird from a store in Germany at the same price. In her response, Clarkson stated that she would not have criticized the store if she had not been discriminated against.
In response, the Art of Play store denied the allegations, stating that the mechanical bird is part of the permanent collection in the store and cannot be sold. They added that they offered Clarkson a similar bird from a store in Germany at the same price. Despite the controversy, the store has not wished to comment further on the issue. In fact, when BBC reporters visited the store on Wednesday, they found that the number of journalists was far greater than the number of customers. Some customers who visited the store were unaware of the controversy, while others described the store as "small and friendly." However, the store owner reported that he and his team had been threatened and harassed following Clarkson's comments.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, the case involving Kelly Clarkson and the Art of Play store serves as an example of how personal objections on social media can lead to widespread reactions. In a broader context, the issue highlights the significant impact that celebrities can have on small businesses, especially when it comes to issues related to service and customer treatment. At the same time, the case also shows how the media can contribute to amplifying small issues into major problems. It is also worth noting that the store has capitalized on media interest to attract new customers, suggesting that some small businesses may benefit from media attention even if it stems from a problem.
