In a heartfelt interview, Alexa Ray Joel, the daughter of music legend Billy Joel and supermodel Christie Brinkley, opened up about watching her parents in the new two-part HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes.
The 39-year-old singer shared her emotional reaction to the documentary, describing it as “moving, beyond belief.”
“The Ultimate Dream Couple” in Alexa’s Eyes
Alexa, who is featured in the documentary, revealed how she feels watching her parents’ past relationship unfold on screen. “The world was very enchanted by my parents when they were together.
They were like the ultimate dream couple,” she told PEOPLE. While reflecting on their differences, Alexa noted how her parents complemented each other despite being polar opposites.
Her mother, Christie Brinkley, is known for her outgoing, extroverted personality, while Billy Joel, known for being a more introverted figure, made quite the contrast. Alexa admitted that she shares some of her father’s introverted traits, adding, “It was really beautiful and emotional for me to watch. I cried, my mom cried.”
A Look Back at Their Relationship
The documentary takes viewers through the early days of Billy and Christie’s relationship. The two met in 1983 and were married for 11 years. In the film, Billy shares his surprise at dating a supermodel, saying, “Here I am dating this beautiful supermodel and… me? I’m from Hicksville.
What am I doing with her? What’s she doing with me?” Despite their differences, their time together was deeply productive, with Billy writing many songs inspired by Christie.
Billy also mentioned that their time together felt like being a teenager again, reliving those raw emotions of love and romance.
The End of Their Marriage and Their Ongoing Friendship
Though their relationship was filled with highs, it eventually began to unravel. By 1989, their marriage faced challenges, with Billy’s struggles being reflected in songs like I Go to Extremes. Christie noted that Billy would often disappear in the middle of the night to drink, which took a toll on their relationship.
Despite divorcing in 1994 after nine years of marriage, the couple has maintained a strong friendship and continues to co-parent Alexa. In fact, Billy recently serenaded Christie with his hit Uptown Girl during a concert at Madison Square Garden in August 2024.
Billy Joel’s Current Life and Marriage
Billy Joel is currently happily married to his wife, Alexis Roderick, with whom he shares two daughters: Della, 10, and Remy, 7. In a recent interview, Billy expressed how much he enjoys this stage of life, stating that he is “really enjoying this time.”
In the documentary, he reflects on meeting Alexis for the first time and how she wasn’t at all impressed by his celebrity status. “When you meet someone who captures your imagination, it renews, it revitalizes,” he said.
He also recalled playing the piano for Alexis, drawing inspiration from a famous scene in the film The Seven-Year Itch, where a character plays a song to woo Marilyn Monroe’s character.
However, Alexis was “totally unimpressed” by the performance, which Billy found refreshing, realizing that she liked him for who he was, not for his fame.
Billy Joel: And So It Goes offers a deep dive into the life and career of the legendary singer, exploring his relationships, challenges, and music. The two-part documentary is currently available for streaming on HBO Max, giving fans a chance to learn more about the man behind the music and the personal life that shaped him.
