Sunny Hostin called Kelly Clarkson 'petty' after reviewing security footage of the singer's visit to Brooklyn shop Art of Play, as the feud over a mechanical bird escalated to a public fallout.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleKelly Clarkson has been in the middle of a firestorm after her ongoing dispute with a Brooklyn-based curiosity shop, Art of Play. The singer-songwriter sparked headlines after claiming she was treated like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman when she asked for an expensive piece.
With the Brooklyn-based curiosity store's scathing statement demanding an apology, many have pointed out that Clarkson may have overreacted. Now, Sunny Hostin is doubling down on her criticism of Kelly.
During Thursday's episode of The View, Hostin described Clarkson's reaction as a possible "tantrum” after security footage of their interaction surfaced online, adding that the video had changed her perspective on the controversy.
During the Hot Topics segment, the co-hosts discussed footage of Clarkson's visit to Art of Play, which journalist Pablo Torre obtained and shared on his show, Pablo Torre Finds Out. The video showed the singer browsing the Brooklyn store and speaking with an employee, but it had no audio to establish what was said during the nearly 5-minute interaction.
Hostin suggested that Clarkson appeared to become frustrated while returning items to their places. She said, "It seems like she kind of had a bit of a tantrum because she starts putting things back kind of quickly," adding that Kelly wasn't in the store for very long.
Hostin also questioned whether Clarkson had considered the consequences of publicly criticizing a small business when she has millions of followers who could amplify her complaints, so "there comes a responsibility" with such reach. The attorney had previously argued on The View that the dispute should have been handled privately, saying she did not feel comfortable with the situation playing out on social media.
However, guest Raven-Symoné pushed back against the idea that Clarkson should be held to a different standard simply because she is famous. Hostin agreed, saying, "She was a little petty." The former That's So Raven star argued that having a large platform does not mean someone should be prevented from expressing their feelings about an experience. She said:
"I would say to those watching me and to those listening to Kelly, our experience about the situation might not resonate with you the same way that it resonated with [us]. You don't know my past. You don't know what I've been through."
Raven-Symoné also pointed to Clarkson's upbringing, saying the singer did not grow up with a lot of money. Hence, an interaction involving wealth or assumptions about what someone could afford might have struck a personal nerve.
In case you missed the drama, Clarkson sparked a controversy on Saturday, October 10, 2026, when she visited Art of Play in Brooklyn Heights and later accused the shop of treating her like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman, the 1990 film about a woman who is dismissed by store employees because of her appearance and perceived financial status.
Clarkson took to X to describe what she viewed as disrespectful treatment while shopping. The disagreement centered partly on a mechanical singing bird named Molly, displayed in the store with a reported price of USD 15,000. She previously described an uncomfortable interaction with a staff member and left without buying anything.
The store has disputed her characterization of the encounter. According to its account, "Everybody that comes into the store is treated the same, like a normal person. That's what pissed her off... She was treated like everybody else who comes in, whether they're in sweatpants or they're 9 years old, or they're a celebrity we don't recognize. They all get treated the same way."
Clarkson later accused the business of lying in its response, writing on X, "Okay, cool. So you're not only rude, you're also a liar. Got it.” She added that she rarely publicly criticized people but considered the shop an exception.
Art of Play later described the encounter as a misunderstanding and said Clarkson had spent only about five minutes inside. Co-owner Adam Rubin subsequently told Page Six that the episode had been "ludicrous” and "surreal,” and demanded an apology from the singer. Rubin urged that the singer should be held accountable for the consequences of the controversy.
Meanwhile, Clarkson returned to the stage in Las Vegas on Wednesday, performing at a corporate event at Allegiant Stadium as the controversy continued to attract attention. She reportedly sang hits including Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Breakaway, and Since U Been Gone. She reportedly did not address her ongoing fallout.
Do you think Kelly Clarkson may have overreacted to the situation? Let us know.
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