5 Times Celebrities Feuded With Small Businesses, Kelly Clarkson Style

Kelly Clarkson has recently sparked a widespread online conversation after taking to social media to air a personal grievance with a local Brooklyn shop.

The daytime talk show host publicly criticized the boutique shop’s employee for dismissive customer service during a recent shopping attempt, leading to a heated digital back-and-forth between the two sides.

This high-profile dispute serves as the latest prominent example of major celebrities using their massive online platforms to target independent businesses.

1. Kelly Clarkson Exchanged Heated Claims With NYC Specialty Retailer Over Store Visit

The debate began when Clarkson shared a post on X detailing her visit to the novelty shop Art of Play. She expressed frustration over how she was treated when asking about a mechanical automaton display.

According to The Blast, Clarkson claimed that an associate condescendingly implied she could not afford the piece and offered cheaper alternatives. She compared the moment to that of Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman.”

“Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,” she wrote.

Art of Play then responded by clarifying that the specific piece, named “Molly,” is a permanent display fixture used in magic shows rather than a retail item for sale.

The store also maintained that the encounter was merely a misunderstanding. However, the incident led to a torrent of backlash from the public, with many people siding with the singer.

2. Serena Williams Ignited An Online Debate Over Hotel Decor Choice

Last year, tennis legend Serena Williams ignited social media debates after calling out an establishment’s choices during a trip to New York.

While in New York City promoting her SKIMS and Nike fashion collaboration, the athletic star shared a video on her Instagram Story showing a vase filled with cotton stalks in a hotel hallway.

Reaching toward the arrangement, Williams expressed her personal unease over using the plant as an interior decoration given its historic associations with slavery, as reported by The Blast.

“How do we feel about cotton as decoration?” She asked. “Personally, for me, it doesn’t feel great.”

While many viewers defended her right to highlight sensitive imagery, others mocked her response as an overreaction to simple decor.

3. Serena Williams Similarly Clashed With A Fine Dining Spot In Paris

The hotel decor incident echoed an earlier moment when Williams publicly called out The Peninsula Paris hotel on X after being turned away from its rooftop restaurant.

During a trip to France for the 2024 Olympic Games, Williams voiced her disappointment on X after being turned away from the rooftop restaurant at The Peninsula Paris while accompanied by her children.

“In response to Ms. Williams’ tweet, for whom we have the utmost admiration and respect, as we do for all our esteemed guests, we reiterate our deepest apologies that we were not able to offer her a table at our rooftop bar when she arrived with her family and without a reservation,” the establishment stated, per The Blast.

The venue explained that its rooftop bar and dining area were completely booked and expressed regret that staff failed to recognize the Grand Slam champion. It also clarified that the refusal was strictly a matter of policy rather than personal bias.

4. Demi Lovato Confronted Local Frozen Yogurt Shop Over Product Display

Much like Williams’ public commentary on venue policies and decor, pop star Demi Lovato once caused a major stir after calling out a local West Los Angeles business.

In 2021, Lovato took to social media to criticize the Los Angeles staple The Bigg Chill, accusing them of using language that triggered people suffering from eating disorders.

She labeled the local frozen yogurt parlor “diet culture vultures” for prominently displaying sugar-free and diet products near the checkout counter.

According to Vanity Fair, the store publicly responded by clarifying that offering sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan options was designed to accommodate diabetic, celiac, and lactose-intolerant patrons rather than promote restrictive eating habits.

However, after facing backlash for targeting a small business, Lovato later addressed the controversy in a video, offering an apology. She acknowledged that her initial reaction was fueled by personal emotions and expressed a desire to clear the air and support the establishment moving forward.

5. James Corden Was Publicly Called Out By A New York Restaurateur

In 2022, late-night host James Corden faced public scrutiny after a prominent New York restaurateur called out his behavior toward waitstaff.

Balthazar owner Keith McNally publicly banned Corden from his famed Manhattan eatery after accusing the host of being extremely rude to server staff over order mistakes, per The Blast.

McNally labeled Corden a “tiny cretin of a man” on Instagram. However, the comedian later addressed the incident on “The Late Late Show” to offer a public apology.

Corden explained that his reaction was driven by concern over his wife’s food allergies, but admitted that making sarcastic remarks was completely uncalled for.

Also Read:Kelly Clarkson’s Brooklyn Store Feud Takes A New Turn As Price Of Bird She Wanted Is Raised To $15M Amid Backlash

Related Headlines

Read more at The Blast