Christie Brinkley Shares Rare Family Moment With Ex Billy Joel as He Steps Back From Touring
Joel stepped back from touring after his recent diagnosis.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
While Billy Joel has hit pause on his tour to focus on his health, Christie Brinkley has given fans a rare, touching glimpse into their family bond â and sent her ex-husband all the love he needs.
In an Instagram post on Saturday, Brinkley shared a tender video of Joel, duetting with their daughter Alexa Ray. âDear Billy, the whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery,â she wrote. Digging through photos of Joel and Alexa Ray, Brinkley stumbled on the concert clip that âmade me laugh, but it also reminded me of all the joy you create, and all the sensational sing-a-longs youâve led.â
Related story 'Get This!': Shoppers Say This $21 Under-Sink Organizer Helps You âStore Twice As Muchâ
That home-video warmth isnât your average concert flash â it captures the rare, musical magic between father and daughter. As Brinkley noted, âYou turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison,â before urging Joel, âplease take good care of yourself, we all want you back in that white hot spotlight. Youâre OUR piano man â and weâre always in the mood for your melodies. And we all hope youâre feeling alright! We love you, the kids, me and an arena or two!âÂ
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Christie Brinkley (@christiebrinkley)
She tagged Joel alongside their daughter, Alexa Ray, 39, and her two younger children, Jack, 29, and Sailor, 26 â showing that this support shout-out comes not just from her, but the entire Brinkley brood.
Joel first disclosed his NPH diagnosis on May 23, revealing that recent performances exacerbated âproblems with hearing, vision and balance.â On medical advice, heâs now undergoing targeted physical therapy and must ârefrain from performing during the recovery period,â a decision that led to the cancellation of his upcoming tour dates. In a personal note, he apologized for letting fans downââsincerely sorry to disappoint our audienceâ and thanked everyone âfor understanding.â
Brinkley and Joel met in 1984 while vacationing in St. Barts. At the time, she was one of the worldâs most recognizable models, and he was fresh off a Grammy win. They married in 1985, welcomed Alexa Ray that December, and divorced in 1994, but never lost touch. Joel even serenaded her with âUptown Girlâ at Madison Square Garden in 2024.
In her memoir Uptown Girl, released last month, Brinkley doesnât shy from the past, calling alcohol the âother womanâ that fractured their union and recalling the night Joel vanished during their daughterâs fifth birthday. Sheâs also quipped that âhow close we can be depends on who heâs married to,â a knowing nod to the chapters that followed, including Joelâs marriages to Katie Lee and Alexis Roderick.
Christie Brinkleyâs memoir, Uptown Girl, hit bookstore shelves on April 29.
Buy Now $24
Through health scares and Hollywood headlines, one thing remains clear: the âUptown Girlâ and her âPiano Manâ share a bond thatâs built to last. As Brinkleyâs warm tribute shows, family â and music â will always bring them back to center stage.
Before you go, click here to see celebrity exes who will always be friends.