Christie Brinkley’s new memoir “Uptown Girl” offers a candid look at the model’s life story, including her tumultuous marriage to singer Billy Joel. The two were together for 11 years and share a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. Despite tabloid rumors suggesting an affair, Brinkley claims she always believed Joel when he said he never had one.
According to Brinkley, it was Joel’s drinking that broke their marriage. His behavior became increasingly erratic as his career took off, with him frequently disappearing for days or throwing tantrums in front of family and friends. In one instance, Joel even threw a chaise longue through a patio door after becoming drunk.
Brinkley writes that she “suffered through these incidents alone” because she feared involving law enforcement would lead to media frenzy. Despite her efforts to keep the marriage together, Brinkley ultimately felt that Joel’s drinking was his “other woman.”
The memoir also explores Brinkley’s early life and modeling career, including her struggles with diet fads and body image issues. However, it’s clear that the book is not just about Brinkley, but also about her relationship with Billy Joel and the events that led to their divorce.
Joel himself wrote the song “Uptown Girl,” which was initially inspired by a mystery woman who would call him and describe her life as a wealthy, imprisoned girl. When Brinkley entered his life, he claimed to have found his real “uptown girl.”
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/04/29/christie-brinkley-memoir-billy-joel-peter-cook/83341142007