A quirky incident involving a mechanical bird named Molly has taken center stage in the ongoing saga between a Brooklyn novelty shop and pop star Kelly Clarkson. Initially deemed “not for sale” after Clarkson’s visit, the store has now put a jaw-dropping price tag of $15 million on the automaton.
Adam Rubin, co-owner of the Art of Play store, spoke with reporters outside his Atlantic Avenue location, explaining the abrupt change in the bird’s availability. “We’d be willing to part with Molly for millions,” he stated, adding a touch of humor to the situation.
Clarkson’s original encounter with the shop turned contentious when she took to social media to express her disappointment over being dismissed when she inquired about purchasing Molly. The singer claimed she was told the bird was off-limits, prompting her to share her frustration with her followers.
In a twist, the shop later clarified that while Molly herself was indeed fixed to the wall, a similar automaton could be made available for a price that initially seemed to be $15,000, not the inflated figure now being bandied about. Rubin later suggested that the artist behind these creations, Bliss Kolb, could be persuaded to sell Molly’s twin for the steep price now being discussed.
This incident has not only drawn attention to the shop but has also resulted in negative repercussions for its owners, as Rubin stated they have faced harassment and threats following Clarkson’s posts. “Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger,” he lamented, highlighting the unforeseen fallout from what started as a simple inquiry about a whimsical item.
Despite the chaos, Rubin remains firm in his stance that the shop’s treatment of Clarkson was standard and that the ensuing drama was a misunderstanding. “We treated her like a normal person,” he remarked, although the public reaction indicates otherwise.
This unusual chapter in celebrity culture seems far from over as both sides continue to navigate the implications of this mechanical bird and its newfound fame.
Photo credit: AP; NBC
