Christie Brinkley reveals if she now believes that Billy Joel cheated on her during their marriage
The supermodel, 71, recalled in her new memoir, 'Uptown Girls,' how rumors swirled that the singer, 75, was having an affair with another woman towards the end of their marriage — which he allegedly still denies.
'To this day, Billy continues to deny ever having had affairs, and I've always believed him,' Brinkley wrote, per People.
Advertisement
10 Christie Brinkley, Billy Joel at the Divine Celebration Cathedral of St. John in New York City in 1990.
Getty Images
10 Christie Brinkley, Billy Joel in 1993.
Getty Images
'But on that New Year's Day in 1994, when he did finally straggle home, I asked him to leave,' she added.
Advertisement
Brinkley and Joel tied the knot in 1985 and had a daughter together, Alexa Ray Joel, 39.
10 Christie Brinkley's new memoir, 'Uptown Girl.'
'We laughed like you couldn't believe. And seeing him in concert, I felt like the luckiest girl in the whole arena,' she recalled of her good times with Joel. 'I liked to be right in the front row by the piano so he could glance at me and I could look up and see everything.'
But the pair's marriage ended in 1994 after Joel's heavy drinking became too much for Brinkley too bear.
Advertisement
10 Billy Joel, Christie Brinkley in 1991.
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
10 Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel attend the 2nd Annual International Rock Awards in 1990.
Getty Images
Brinkley wrote that their relationship 'wasn't functioning in the way you want it to anymore and it was painful.'
The 'Parks and Recreation' alum also recalled the time Joel drunkenly ate spaghetti from a pan on the stove and then kicked his family out of the house, claiming they ate his pasta.
Advertisement
'I hesitated to put that scene in the book,' Brinkley told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published Tuesday. 'But at the same time, it demonstrates what I was up against.'
10 Billy Joel, Christie Brinkley backstage at 'Chicago' on Broadway in June 2011.
FilmMagic
'I loved him and I wanted to make it work,' she continued about her marriage to Joel. 'Drinking is a disease. And I knew that there had to be some way to help him, and not always get to that point where this person who you love is suddenly a stranger to you.'
Brinkley added: 'I was 100% dedicated to Billy, but I never told anyone about our issues, not even my friends. It was very difficult in that way, but we had a child together and I was trying to protect the family.'
10 Christie Brinkley, Billy Joel at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City in 1990.
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
10 Christie Brinkley outside 'The View' in New York City on April 28.
Eric Kowalsky / MEGA
In her memoir, Brinkley revealed that Joel would disappear for days while he was boozing during their marriage. He even left their daughter's fifth birthday party and went missing for two days.
'The drinking was bigger than the both of us,' she wrote. 'Booze was the other woman and it was beginning to seem that he preferred to be with her rather than me.'
Advertisement
10 Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel in 1989.
WireImage
10 Christie Brinkley, Billy Joel kiss in France in 1989.
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Joel struggled with alcoholism for many years. He went to rehab for the first time in 1992 and got sober, but returned to rehab in 2005 after he relapsed.
In 2023, Joel told the Los Angeles Times that he stopped drinking 'a couple of years ago.'
Advertisement
Brinkley confirmed that Joel supported her decision to write about their marriage in her book.
'Billy said, 'Go ahead and tell your story… the good, the bad, whatever you need to say,'' she told Page Six.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Meghan Markle Returns to Rented $9.5 Million Montecito House for New Season of Netflix Show—After Refusing To Film at Her Own Home
Meghan Markle's divisive Netflix series "With Love, Meghan" is set to make a return for a second season—with a newly released trailer revealing that the mother of two has once again opted not to use her $14.7 million Montecito home as the primary filming location. Meghan, 44, premiered her lifestyle show with the streaming giant March 4, with a description issued by Netflix promising viewers an "at home"-style experience with the former actress. So eyebrows were understandably raised when it was revealed that Meghan had not in fact filmed the series at her own home, but had instead chosen to return to a nearby $9.5 million property that was rented out for use as a set during the first season. The four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom property is owned by local philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, who purchased the dwelling for $4.7 million back in 2017, according to records. estimates reveal that it is now worth upward of $9.5 million. After filming the first season of her show in the home, Meghan revealed her reasons for refusing to allow the Montecito mansion she shares with husband Prince Harry to be used as the primary set—explaining that she felt a strong desire to maintain it as a "safe haven" for her family. "I wanted to protect that safe haven," she told People. "We're a close-knit family, and I love those moments—putting Lili down for a nap, having lunch together, having sacred time together at the end of the day. "Our kitchen is where Mama just cooks for the family, and with a crew of 80-plus people, that's a lot of people to have in your house!" Fortunately, Netflix producers managed to find a property just a few miles away that served as the perfect backdrop for a luxury lifestyle show. Nestled on a five-acre plot of land, the main farmhouse boasts a chic and elegant decor worthy of a Nancy Meyers movie—or a Meghan Markle docuseries—and features an open floor plan and ample windows that flood the home with plenty of light. An additional barn on the property provides another filming location, while the picturesque grounds—which are filled with lemon and avocado trees—served as a picture-perfect backdrop for Meghan's latest project. It is not the first time that Meghan has borrowed another home to film an "at-home" style Netflix show. When she and Harry filmed their controversial 2022 documentary, aptly titled "Meghan & Harry," the couple did so in a $30 million estate not far from their own house. That property—which boasts six bedrooms, 6.5 bathroom, and a 2-acre plot—is currently on the market, having been used by the Sussexes only briefly while they were filming their interviews for the dramatic series. Much like the first season of her show, the second run of episodes will see Meghan welcoming a host of high-profile guests into the dwelling, with the trailer showing her making jewelry with Chrissy Teigen, sitting down at a pottery wheel with pilates guru Heather Durak, and cooking with famed chef José Andrés. Other guests include Christina Tosi, Clare Smyth, Daniel Martin, David Chang, Jamie Kern Lima, Jay Shetty, Radhi Devlukia, Samin Nosrat, and Tan France. However there is one significant figure absent from the preview clip: Meghan's husband, Harry, who made a brief appearance in the season one trailer, as well as the first round of episodes that Netflix released. Still, the Duke of Sussex does get a mention, when Meghan reveals that her husband is not a fan of lobster, much to the horror of Chef Andrés. "You know who doesn't like lobster? My husband," the former "Suits" star tells him, prompting the food whiz to respond: "And you married him?" The trailer also features a voiceover from Meghan, who describes her motivation for filming the series, saying in the brief clip: "I love the idea of spending time together and finding new ways to show people you care. Let's get creative and learn something new. "I love these moments of discovery and beauty so let's be curious together." All eight episodes in the second season of the show will debut Aug. 26—with Netflix previously revealing that it will also air a holiday special of "With Love, Meghan" later this year. 'Together, friends and family deck the halls, create holiday feasts, craft heartfelt gifts, and share lots of laughs—with simple how-tos to follow at home,' a statement reads. 'It's a holiday wonder with warmth, tradition, and a generous dose of joy.' That announcement came as the streaming giant revealed that it has agreed to a modified contract extension with Harry and Meghan's production company, Archewell. However, that contract extension comes with some caveats, with sources telling Page Six that the new deal is worth much less than the $100 million they were reportedly paid for their first partnership with the streaming site. Still, Meghan and Harry were quick to celebrate the news, with the former saying in a statement that she was "proud" to continue her work with Netflix, which is also collaborating with her on her lifestyle brand, As Ever. "We're proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand," she said. "My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally and celebrates our shared vision." It is currently unclear whether Harry will feature in any of the episodes in the second season of his wife's show, however he is understood to be hard at work on other projects included in the Netflix deal. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Brandon Blackstock's Obituary Reveals He Had a 'Beautiful and Loving Partner' 3 Years After Kelly Clarkson Divorce
Blackstock's girlfriend Brittney Marie Jones was named in his obituary after his Aug. 7 deathNEED TO KNOW Brandon Blackstock's obituary identifies his partner as Brittney Marie Jones The obit calls Jones a "beautiful and loving partner in life and business" Blackstock died on Aug. 7 in MontanaBrandon Blackstock was in a happy relationship prior to his death, his obituary reveals. The talent manager, who died on Aug. 7, was eulogized in an obituary shared online that gave a special nod to Brittney Marie Jones, who was described as his 'beautiful and loving partner in life and business.' The obituary said that Blackstock and Jones 'started building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.' Blackstock was previously married to Kelly Clarkson from 2013 to 2020, and they shared daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9. Their divorce was finalized in 2022. In his obituary, Blackstock was also remembered as a devoted father and grandfather, with the obit noting he was 'born to be a 'Pa.'' 'Never did his star shine brighter than in his role as a father,' the obituary read. 'Nothing mattered to Brandon more than his four beautiful children, Savannah, Seth, River, and Remy. To say he was devoted seems cliché. It feels like an overused word, but it is the correct word. He was a devoted father. His four children were and will always be his greatest love and his greatest legacy.' The obit, which named former stepmother Reba McEntire as his stepmom, noted that his family will commemorate his legacy with a celebration of life on Aug. 17. "He was the son, brother, father, friend, and love you prayed to have in your life. Above all, he was a dreamer. His passion for his dreams changed lives, whether he was working in Nashville or Montana. He changed lives. He changed communities. He changed us all," the obituary read. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal. May our beloved Brandon rest in peace. This is when the cowboy rides away." Blackstock died of melanoma on Aug. 7 at age 48. His family announced his death in a statement shared with PEOPLE. "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," a rep for the family tells PEOPLE in a statement. "Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Kathy Griffin Just Revealed Her "Painful" Third Facelift And The Singer Who Inspired Her To Get The Surgery
Kathy Griffin is known for being honest, especially when it comes to subjects other celebrities might want to keep private. Griffin recently shared with fans that she underwent another facelift in a video aptly titled 'New Face, Same Kathy!' that she released earlier this month. 'It's my third,' the comedian shared. 'I know, that's so vain. I'm so vain for no reason.' Related: 'No one has ever gone to a Kathy Griffin show to see her beautiful, youthful face,' she quipped. 'You come to hear my jokes, which is what I want. I don't want you to come to care what I look like.' Griffin then went into detail about the procedure, joking that 'as far as I know, they just yank the crap out of your skin and your neck.' She also spoke about the process of choosing her surgeon, Dr. Ben Talei, and said that he also did singer Sia's facelift. 'And the reason I'm saying that is that you can go on YouTube [and find this out],' Griffin said. 'There's a video of her without her backwards wig, 'cause as you know, she's an anonymous giant celebrity, and she even gave him an award, and she had the best before and after pictures I've ever seen.' Related: 'And first of all, it's funny that Sia even got a facelift because you don't ever see her face, but the pictures sold me,' the 64-year-old added. Griffin also got real about the surgical recovery process and made sure followers knew what they were getting into if they decided to follow in her footsteps. 'I'm going to be honest ― it's painful,' she said, mentioning that she had stitches in her eyelids. 'So these bitches that are like, 'It's like getting a tooth filled! It's nothing!' No ― it's painful.' Related: And while the results might eventually look great, post-op recovery isn't pretty, the actor said. 'You come home ― and maybe you come home with a nurse ― and it's disgusting. I'm not going to lie,' she said. 'The first night, there's drains that come out of your chin. I know, it's so gross. But the vanity takes over.' Many commenters on Griffin's video praised the comedian for her transparency. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Kris Jenner, and Joel McHale have also recently been lauded for sharing details about various cosmetic procedures they've undergone. Related: McHale made waves for opening up about his fourth hair transplant on the We Might Be Drunk podcast back in June, and even recommended his doctor. He also told followers what not to do if they were interested in the procedure. 'I can get you a name of a guy in Turkey,' McHale said. 'But just make sure, 'cause if somebody is like, 'I'll do it for $3,000,' then you don't [do it]. You get what you pay for.' This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in Celebrity: Also in Celebrity: Also in Celebrity:
