'Most resilient man': Alexa Ray Joel and Christie Brinkley speak out following Billy Joel's brain condition diagnosis and concert cancellations
Billy Joel's eldest daughter and ex-wife have broken their silence following the music legend's shock diagnosis with a rare neurological condition that's forced him to cancel all of his upcoming performances.
The 79-year-old American singer-songwriter announced on Friday he's been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that causes a build-up of excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricles.
The condition, which can impact hearing, vision and balance, has reportedly worsened during his recent concerts, prompting doctors to advise a break from performing while he undergoes physical therapy.
A day after the announcement, his daughter Alexa Ray Joel took to social media to share her support.
The 39-year-old, whom Billy shares with supermodel Christie Brinkley, posted a black and white sketch of a father and daughter holding hands alongside the lyrics of his 1993 ballad Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) - a song he wrote for her.
"We love you and we got you, Pop!" she wrote.
"I just wanted to thank you all for the beautiful outpouring of love and support amid the recent news of My Father's health diagnosis.
"My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I've ever known… and he's entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength.
Alexa signed off her tribute with the song's final lines: "Someday We'll All Be Gone / But Lullabies Go On And On / They Never Die / That's How You And I Will Be."
She added: "The music continues… All My Love, Alexa Ray."
Meanwhile, Christie Brinkley, 71, also paid tribute with a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing previously unseen footage of herself and daughter Sailor, 26, attending one of Joel's concerts.
"Dear Billy, The whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery," she captioned the video.
"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 said the footage "made her laugh" while also reminding her of "all the joy" Joel brings to audiences, and "all the sensational sing-a-longs" he inspires.
"You turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison," she wrote.
"I'm sure I'm speaking for everyone in that room when I say please take good care of yourself, we all want you back in that white hot spotlight, you're OUR piano man.
"And we're always in the mood for your melodies and we all hope you're feeling alright! We Love You, the kids, me and a whole bunch of full arenas!"
Brinkley's post comes shortly after the release of her memoir, in which she reflects on her marriage to Joel from 1985 to 1994.
"I do think that we were probably really soulmates, it was an amazing time of my life," she wrote.
Despite their separation, she still considers Billy one of her "two great loves", alongside her first husband, Jean Francois Allaux.
"The hardest thing to include was criticism of Billy, because I do care about my friendship with him," she revealed.
"He said, 'Just say what you need to say'. And I think that's part of his healing, so I applaud him for all of that."
Joel, who also shares daughters Della Rose, nine, and Remy Anne, seven, with his wife Alexis Roderick, 43, is currently undergoing a tailored recovery program.
In a statement released to social media, his team said the singer is "thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritising his health".
"He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage."
Joel added: "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding."
All ticket holders for cancelled shows will receive automatic refunds.
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