Christie Brinkley speaks out after Billy Joel's brain disorder diagnosis and tour cancellation
Christie Brinkley, Billy Joel's ex-wife, has publicly offered her support after the Grammy-winning musician revealed his diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder affecting his balance, vision and hearing.
The 76-year-old musician announced the cancellation of all upcoming performances last week, including his co-headlining show with Stevie Nicks at Levi's Stadium on Oct. 4. The performance was part of their One Night One Stage tour, which began in 2023.
In a statement shared on social media on Friday, May 23, Joel's team explained that the disorder had been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to significant health concerns.
'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience,' Joel wrote in his Instagram post, apologizing for the canceled shows.
Brinkley, who was married to Joel from 1985 to 1994, took to Instagram the following day to express her well wishes
'The whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery,' Brinkley wrote on Saturday, May 24. 'You turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison ... Please take good care of yourself, we all want you back in that white hot spotlight. You're OUR piano man.'
Brinkley also shared a video clip featuring her 26-year-old daughter, Sailor Brinkley Cook, whom Brinkley shares with ex-husband Peter Cook, singing 'You May Be Right' along with Joel at one of his recent Madison Square Garden concerts.
The 71-year-old model-turned-author shares a daughter with Joel named Alexa Ray Joel.
'I was looking for some cute photos of you and Alexa to send you, when I came across this clip from a recent concert,' Brinkley wrote. 'It made me laugh ... but it also reminded me of all the joy you create.'
Brinkley ended her message with a note of encouragement: 'We all hope you're feeling alright!'
In a separate post, Alexa Ray also shared her support for her father.
'My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I've ever known,' the 39-year-old wrote on an Instagram post that showed a black and white painting of Joel holding her hand. 'He's entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength. We love you and we got you, Pop.'
Joel's health struggles have been a source of concern for fans, especially after he suffered a fall during a February performance in Connecticut. A month later, he postponed several tour dates, citing an undisclosed medical condition, which was later revealed to be NPH.
Brinkley's public show of support comes after a period of reflection about their past. In her memoir, 'Uptown Girl,' released in April, Brinkley opened up about the struggles in their marriage, particularly Joel's battle with alcoholism.
'Booze was the other woman,' Brinkley wrote, describing how Joel's drinking ultimately unraveled their 11-year relationship.
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