Billy Joel's succinct reaction to Christie Brinkley penning a memoir recalled by her
Sassy supermodel Christie Brinkley, known for her face that graces magazines and silver screens alike, bares all in her new memoir, "Uptown Girl." This juicy exposé reveals the highs and lows of her half-century-long career and personal life, from her start at a Parisian payphone to her tumultuous marriage with music legend, Billy Joel.
Brinkley shares her adventures in the limelight with Today.com, promising readers an entertaining escape from reality. Her book delves into everything from her upbringing in sunny California and her rise to supermodel status to her four rocky marriages, including her 11-year stint with "Piano Man" himself, Billy Joel. Fans will recognize the famous melody as the inspiration behind the book's title, which has become Brinkley's unofficial nickname, despite Joel initially penning it for another mystery gal.
According to Brinkley, the relationship between them began as phone conversations, and the song was completed in her honor when they started dating. Their romance was immortalized in the iconic music video, where Brinkley dances merrily with Joel.
Brinkley gives an unfiltered look at her various heartbreaks, difficult childhood, and even her brush with death in a 1994 helicopter accident. However, discussing her relationship with Joel was the most challenging part of writing the memoir. She wanted to protect her friendship with him, but she felt it necessary to address the challenges they faced, such as Joel's heavy drinking and rumors of extramarital affairs.
"The hardest thing to include was criticism of Billy, because I do care about my friendship with him," she confesses. "In the book, I feel like I balanced, very much, about how happy we were and how joy-filled our days were. It was literally dancing in the kitchen as we cooked, singing together, and making each other laugh. It was a beautiful, wonderful relationship."
The couple's relationship grew strained, particularly after Joel sued his former manager, alleging financial mismanagement. Brinkley describes the intense pressure Joel felt to recoup his losses, which contributed to his withdrawal and stress.
Despite the honest depiction of their issues, Brinkley says her book presents a balanced view of their relationship, acknowledging the joy and laughter they shared. Joel reportedly gave her his blessing to speak candidly about their ups and downs.
The memoir details instances of Brinkley waking up to find Joel missing and returning home in the wee hours of the morning after nights of heavy drinking. The growing distance in their marriage left Brinkley feeling lonely, despite Joel's Physical Presence.
Brinkley even recounts a time when she boarded a helicopter to go heli-skiing, fearing Joel might worry about her, only to learn later that he had stated on the phone that he wouldn't be returning to her. This revelation solidified the end of their marriage.
Two weeks later, they announced their divorce, with Brinkley writing in her memoir, "the dream broke apart like debris." Despite their divorce, Brinkley and Joel remain friends.
"He's a very loyal guy. He's loyal to his friends, he's generous. He just had a lot of stresses on him at the point when we were together and it just kind of came crashing down on us."
Beyond her marriage, the helicopter crash had a lasting impact on Brinkley. She struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and made poor decisions in the aftermath, as detailed in the book.
Despite her hardships, Brinkley remains an eternal optimist. Raised in a positive household, she emphasizes gratitude, counting her blessings even in challenging times. Among her most significant blessings are her three children: Alexa Ray Joel, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, and Jack Brinkley-Cook.
Alexa, her daughter with Joel, has read the memoir and expressed her admiration for it. Her younger children have scanned through the book, acknowledging Brinkley as they know her.
Brinkley clarifies that her memoir is not a revenge novel, focusing more on joy, growth, and learning from difficult experiences rather than dwelling on divorces. She hopes readers will appreciate the book's message of resilience and positivity.
- Christie Brinkley's memoir, "Uptown Girl," delves into her personal life, notably her 11-year marriage with the crooner, Billy Joel.
- Brinkley recounts in her memoir an instance when she boarded a helicopter for heli-skiing, only to learn later that Joel had stated on the phone that he wouldn't be returning to her, signifying the end of their marriage.
- Despite the challenging parts of writing about her relationship with Joel, Brinkley's memoir presents a balanced view, acknowledging the joy and laughter they shared.
- Alexa Ray Joel, Brinkley's daughter with Joel, has read the memoir and expressed her admiration for it, while her younger children have scanned through the book, acknowledging their mother as they know her.
