Kelly Clarkson’s latest clash with a Brooklyn boutique has brought an unexpected chapter of her past back into the spotlight.
Days ago, the “Since U Been Gone” singer went public with her unpleasant experience at Art of Play, sparking a heated dispute that has since drawn allegations of harassment and threats.
The controversy has also revived memories of her decade-old shopping saga, when she paid £152,000 ($200,000) for a Jane Austen ring but was restricted from leaving the country with it.
During a Sotheby’s auction in London in 2012, Clarkson set her sights on a gold and turquoise ring once owned by Jane Austen and successfully outbid eight other bidders.
However, problems arose when the country’s then-culture minister, Ed Vaizey, slapped an export ban on the item, deeming it a “national treasure.”
With the temporary restriction, Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton launched a “Bring the Ring Home” campaign that raised donations, including £100,000.
The contributions ultimately helped secure the ring’s sale to the museum, where it remains on display with the only two other surviving pieces of jewelry believed to have belonged to the famed writer.
Although Clarkson had to settle for a lookalike, she nonetheless accepted the outcome graciously. At the time, she said she was delighted Austen admirers would have the chance to see the ring, describing it as beautiful, according to the Daily Mail.
Inside Kelly Clarkson’s Recent Dispute With Brooklyn Boutique
Clarkson’s earlier experience has resurfaced following her public criticism of Art of Play, where she recently spotted a mechanical bird she wanted to purchase.
As The Blast reported, the singer alleged that an employee appeared to judge her before quoting $15,000 for the automaton and offering to show her a similar piece.
The Grammy Winner compared the encounter to a scene involving Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman” and called the employee an “idiot.”
Sources have since suggested that the television personality reacted strongly because she felt she had been treated poorly and refused to let the incident go unaddressed.
Local Store Owner Blasts Kelly Clarkson’s Actions As Endangering
Following Clarkson’s public outburst, the post has garnered over 46 million views and attracted comments and criticism. The owner, Adam Rubin, has spoken up about the impact of the media personality’s callout on his business.
“Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger,” Rubin said, revealing that they have faced social media harassment and threats. He called the incident a “reprehensible abuse of power,” given Clarkson’s popularity.
He further alleged that the singer had also shouted at the attendant while walking out and claimed she was never coming back.
More Details About Kelly Clarkson’s Encounter At The Shop Revealed
Amid Rubin’s account of what transpired, investigative podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out” released surveillance footage offering another glimpse into the incident.
However, the absence of audio has left viewers interpreting the exchange through the individuals’ gestures and body language.
As The Blast reported, the clip shows Clarkson entering the premises at 2:50 pm dressed in casual clothes. She checked the shelves before approaching the automaton bird mounted on the wall.
Clarkson then appears to ask an employee about the piece, pointing towards it as she speaks, before later speaking to another staff member at the register.
She leaves the store less than five minutes after arriving, with the brief interactions providing no definitive explanation of the disagreement.
The Item’s Price Is Now Raised To Millions Of Dollars
After ongoing exchanges between the singer and the business, the item’s price has now reached $15,000,000. Rubin announced they were raising the price “due to popular demand.”
He clarified that the bird on display was not for sale and that the original price referred to a similar automaton owned by artist Bliss Kolb.
The shop maintained that its staff explained the distinction to Clarkson and offered to demonstrate a different mechanical bird worth approximately $2,000. However, according to the business, she left before seeing it. Rubin also stressed that creating such intricate automata requires years of craftsmanship.
