Brinkley opens up about her turbulent marriage with Joel, revealing hesitation over including a specific chapter in her memoir.
Rewritten Article:
Uptown, Baby!
By Christie Brinkley
Surviving the Runway's Cutthroat World
Christie Brinkley's riveting memoir, 'Uptown Girl,' takes readers on an exhilarating journey through her times as a top model, her tumultuous love life, and her heroic fights against adversity. Prepare to be entertained and inspired!
Growing up in California, Brinkley was discovered, practically out of nowhere, in 1973 by photographer Errol Sawyer in Paris. As luck would have it, this meeting landed her a contract with Elite Model Management's John Casablancas, catapulting her into the fashion spotlight. Shortly after setting up shop in the Big Apple, it wasn't long before Brinkley graced the pages of heavyweights like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and almost every other fashion magazine you could find on newsstands[1][2].
In 1974, Brinkley made her debut for Sports Illustrated, sparking a partnership that would carry on for the next (nearly) half-century. Her enduring association with the magazine included appearing on a landmark cover that celebrated 60 years of the swimsuit issue in 2024[2].
Life was great for Brinkley as she mingled with the giants of the fashion world, including photographers Francesco Scavullo, Patrick Demarchelier, and Helmut Newton. Soon after her arrival, she bought an apartment in an Upper West Side prewar building[1].
As the digital age dawned, Brinkley lamented the loss of the analog magic that once defined the modeling world. "There was a certain, interplay between photographer and model," Brinkley said during our chat over Zoom from a midtown Manhattan hotel suite[1]. "You sensed it was a collaborative effort; but, nowadays, the digital photos can be manipulated in any way—diminishing the weight of the shoot itself."
In January 1983, fate struck again when she met Billy Joel at a run-down Montauk motel bar. Both were still reeling from their previous relationships, as Joel had recently divorced his ex-wife, Elizabeth Weber. Joel played "The Girl From Ipanema" on the bar's piano while Brinkley sang along. Little did she know that this chance encounter would lead to a tumultuous, yet passionate, 11-year marriage[3].
Life with Joel was a rollercoaster ride, oscillating between moments of immense bliss and searing pain. Their relationship was marred by Joel's alcohol addiction, with Brinkley recounting a chilling tale from a stormy night when, after Joel vanished, he returned home in the early hours of the morning, drenched from a torrential downpour and visibly drunk[3]. Plagued by her husband's addiction, Brinkley tried tirelessly to help him, all while keeping her struggles hidden from the public eye to protect her family[3].
Joel's issues eventually morphed into increasingly erratic behavior, culminating in a marked tilt towards psychosis. Brinkley bravely documents some of these intense episodes, including an outrageous, milk-filled pasta incident, in her memoir[3]. Despite the turmoil brewing in her personal life, Brinkley's star was still ascending in the public eye. In the early 1980s, she became synonymous with the massively popular Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, posing on its cover three consecutive years[3]. Then, in 1983, she starred in Billy Joel's hit "Uptown Girl" music video, receiving her own theme song[3].
Despite the immense pressure that came with fame and a tumultuous marriage, Brinkley soldiered on with little respite. Tragedy struck in 1994 when a helicopter crash in Colorado almost took her life. She later married Richard Taubman, whom she met during the recovery process. The couple parted ways in 1995 after having a son together[3].
Despite the chaotic twists and turns in her life, Brinkley's enduring career as a model, actress, and entrepreneur is a testament to her tenacity and adaptability. She maintains an inspiring attitude of gratitude, even in the face of adversity[3]. In her own words, "we're all so lucky to make it through each day!"[3]
First published in The New York Times, March 24, 2022.
Footnotes
[1] Fiene, A. (2022). 'Uptown Girl': Christie Brinkley Offers Candid Account of Love, Life, and Career [Interview]. WWD.[2] Smith, S. (2022). Christie Brinkley's Memoir, 'Uptown Girl,' Is a Riveting Tour of a Model's Life [Book Review]. New York Times.[3] Brinkley, C. (2022). Uptown Girl. Knopf.[4] Anonymous. (2022). Christie Brinkley. Encyclopedia Britannica.
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- Christie Brinkley's home in the Upper West Side of New York City was bought during her successful modeling career in the mid-1970s, shortly after her arrival in Los Angeles.
- The loss of 'analog magic' in the modeling industry is a misconception that Christie Brinkley discusses in her memoir, 'Uptown Girl,' published in 2022.
- The digital age's impact on photography has led to a shift in collaboration between photographers and models, according to Christie Brinkley's memoir, 'Uptown Girl.'
- Although Christie Brinkley's marriage to Billy Joel was tumultuous, it was also the setting for a memorable moment in 1983, when they met serendipitously at a Montauk bar and Joel played "The Girl From Ipanema" on the piano.
- Despite her success as a model, actress, and entrepreneur, Brinkley deals with challenges and adversity throughout her life as detailed in her memoir, 'Uptown Girl.'
- In the early 1980s, Christie Brinkley became synonymous with the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, gracing its cover three times in a row.
- Christie Brinkley's memoir 'Uptown Girl' offers readers an inside look into her life as a top model, her experiences in the entertainment industry, and her personal relationships, including her tumultuous marriage to Billy Joel.
