Universal Orlando trolls Kelly Clarkson bird feud with an owl

Universal Orlando’s social account joined the Kelly Clarkson and Art of Play feud with a joke: “This owl is permanently attached to the wall and not for sale.” Here’s the backstory.

Universal Orlando Resort couldn’t resist.

On Oct. 12, the resort’s official account on X posted a dark photo of an owl figure tucked into a rocky wall, with a one-line caption:

“This owl is permanently attached to the wall and not for sale.“

If that sounds oddly specific, it is. It’s a joke about the very public fight between singer Kelly Clarkson and Art of Play, a small curiosity shop in Brooklyn.

What happened between Kelly Clarkson and Art of Play?

It started with a mechanical bird. Clarkson visited Art of Play on Atlantic Avenue and asked about buying a singing bird automaton named “Molly,” which was displayed on the wall near a $15,000 price tag, according to FOX 5 New York.

Clarkson said an employee sized her up and acted like she couldn’t afford it. She compared it to the famous shopping scene in Pretty Woman.

According to FOX 5, she quoted the clerk as telling her the bird cost $15,000 and offering to “find something comparable” for her.

On Oct. 9, Clarkson posted about it on X. “You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,” she wrote, according to Forbes. The post drew more than 39 million views.

What did Art of Play say about Kelly Clarkson?

The store said the bird was never for sale. According to FOX 5, Art of Play said Molly is permanently attached to the wall and serves as a mascot for the magic shows it hosts.

The shop said it told Clarkson that the bird’s maker, an artist in Seattle, sells a twin for $15,000. It also said staff offered to show her a singing bird automaton that costs about $2,000, but she left before seeing it.

Art of Play called the backlash a “surreal experience.” The store said it was “attacked by 8 million people“ who had never visited, Forbes reported.

Did Kelly Clarkson respond to the store?

Yes. On Oct. 11, Clarkson accused the store of lying and posted a screenshot from a video showing the $15,000 price tag, according to FOX 5.

“You don’t get a free pass to treat people ‘less than’ in your store,” she wrote, adding that being a small business doesn’t change that.

Art of Play said it reached out to Clarkson privately and wished her well.

Why did Universal Orlando post about the owl?

For laughs. Universal’s caption borrows the store’s exact defense, that its bird was “permanently attached to the wall,” and swaps in an owl from the E.T. Adventure attraction.

Brands jumping on viral moments is nothing new, but this one has a small family twist. Universal Orlando is part of NBCUniversal, the same company behind The Kelly Clarkson Show. The daytime talk show ended this year after seven seasons.

Is the Art of Play bird really worth $15,000?

The store says that’s what a twin would cost from the Seattle artist who made Molly. Singing bird automatons are tiny mechanical birds that move and sing, often inside cages or boxes.

They’ve been around for centuries, and handmade ones can cost thousands of dollars. Art of Play’s cheaper option, at about $2,000, shows how wide the price range can be.

Why did the Kelly Clarkson post go so viral?

Because it hit a nerve on both sides. Some fans cheered Clarkson for calling out what she saw as snobby service, while others said a huge star shouldn’t aim her followers at a small shop.

Forbes compared it to other times a celebrity post hit a business hard, like Kylie Jenner’s 2018 tweet about Snapchat.

Universal’s owl, meanwhile, is staying right where it is. And no, you can’t buy it.

Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• Universal Orlando Resort on X (Oct. 12, 2026), the owl post

• The New York Times (Oct. 12, 2026), the original story on the feud

• FOX 5 New York, Amanda Hurley (Oct. 12, 2026), the visit, the bird, Clarkson’s quotes and the store’s response

• Forbes, Mark Faithfull (Oct. 12, 2026), the post dates, view counts and the “8 million people” quote

• Newscast Studio (Feb. 3, 2026), the end of The Kelly Clarkson Show

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