She’s still the ‘Uptown Girl’: Billy Joel sings classic as ex-wife Christie Brinkley dances
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Billy Joel performs FILE PHOTO: Billy Joel performs onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Joel sang "Uptown Girl" at a recent concert attended by ex-wife and the song's muse, Christie Brinkley. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording A)
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
NEW YORK — They may have divorced decades ago, but Christie Brinkley is still Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl.”
The former supermodel attended her ex-husband’s concert Friday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, US Weekly reported.
A fan posted a video of Brinkley dancing and singing to the classic on TikTok.
Joel and Brinkley started dating in 1983 and eventually got married in 1985. He wrote the song “Uptown Girl” for Brinkley, with lyrics such as, “She’s been living in her uptown world/I bet she’s never had a backstreet guy.”
Joel told Howard Stern that the song was originally about several “Uptown Girls,” but after breaking up with Elle Macpherson and dating Brinkley he made it just about one — Brinkley. He also confirmed it in his book “Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography,” People reported.
Macpherson also said the song was originally about several women.
“I think it’s [about] all the uptown girls, put it that way,” Macpherson said, according to People. “He liked tall girls.”
Joel and Brinkley also starred in the music video.
The former couple have a daughter together, Alexa Ray Joel, born in 1985. Joel and Brinkley divorced in 1994, US Weekly reported.
Alexa Ray Joel performed with her father at the concert on Friday night, performing “To Sir With Love” for her dad.
Through the years UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01: USA Photo of Billy JOEL, Editorial Use Only - No Commercial Use Permitted (Photo by Gems/Redferns) (Gems/Redferns)
Through the years Billy Joel wearing a NY Yankee's hat; circa 1970; New York. (Photo by Art Zelin/Getty Images) (Art Zelin/Getty Images)
Through the years Billy Joel sits in the auditorium seating during a soundcheck, playing accordion, New York, 7th December 1977. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) (Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - DECEMBER 1978: American singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist Billy Joel plays Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, December 1978. (Photo by Don Aters/Icon and Image/Getty Images) (Icon and Image/Getty Images)
Through the years UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Billy JOEL (Photo by Mike Prior/Redferns) (Mike Prior/Redferns)
Through the years Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley during 1986 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years Moscow, Russia - 1987: Bill Joel before Saint Basil's Cathedral. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Through the years Bruce Willis and Billy Joel (Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images) (Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 8: Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick pose on the red carpet during the The 36th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center on December 8, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images) (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 08: (L-R) Kennedy Center Honorees Shirley MacLaine, Billy Joel and Herbie Hancock attend a reception at the White House for the 2013 Kennedy Center Honorees on December 8, 2013 in Washington, DC. The honorees this year include: opera singer Martina Arroyo, jazz musician Herbie Hancock, musician Billy Joel, actress Shirley MacLaine and musician Carlos Santana. (Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Billy Joel performs onstage at the ASCAP Centennial Awards at Waldorf Astoria Hotel on November 17, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for ASCAP) (Brian Ach)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 07: Billy Joel performs at Madison Square Garden on January 7, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images) (Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Billy Joel and Elton John attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - JULY 18: Billy Joel sits in front of the banner at a press conference honoring his 100th Lifetime Performance at Madison Square Garden on July 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - JULY 18: Billy Joel sits at a piano that was dedicated to him during an event at a press conference honoring his 100th Lifetime Performance at Madison Square Garden on July 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 01: Billy Joel attends MSG Entertainment and Billy Joel special franchise announcement at Chase Square at Madison Square Garden on June 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images) (John Lamparski 2023/Getty Images)
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Through the years American model (and later actress) Christie Brinkley poses, dressed in business attire, against a white background, 1976. She wears a neckerchief, a tweed jacket over a button-down blouse, a corduroy skirt, and boots. (Photo by Susuan Wood/Getty Images) (Susan Wood/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years Boxing: WBC Welterweight Title: SI Swimsuit model Christie Brinkley photographs the fight from ringside seat during Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran bout at Louisiana Superdome.
New Orleans, LA 11/25/1980
CREDIT: Neil Leifer (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: T26471 TK1 ) (Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima)
Through the years Model Christie Brinkley at a Cartier party in New York (Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images) (Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Through the years Christie Brinkley works out in a pink spandex unitard and leg warmers. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years American fashion model Christie Brinkley, wearing a light grey jacket over a white t-shirt, 1982. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images) (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
Through the years Actress Christie Brinkley and actor Chevy Chase on the set of Warner Bros. movie "National Lampoon's Vacation" in 1983. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1983: Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel circa 1983 in New York City. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/Getty Images) (Images Press/Getty Images)
Through the years UNITED STATES - MAY 10: Billy Joel, who has been crooning sweet nothings in model Christie Brinkley's ear for some time, was given a surprise 34th birthday party by Christie at the Water Club. "Hey!" said Joel, "What happened to our quiet dinner?" (Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) (New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images)
Through the years Christie Brinkley (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years Christie Brinkley during Christie Brinkley Sighting in London - July 12, 1987 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage) (Tom Wargacki/WireImage)
Through the years Christie Brinkley, Alexa Joel and Billy Joel at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years NEW YORK - APRIL 25: (L-R) Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel and Billy Joel attend the premiere of "Last Play At Shea" during the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival at the Tribeca Performing Arts Centre on April 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival) (Jemal Countess)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Harvey Weinstein (L) and Christie Brinkley attend the Dior and The Weinstein Company's opening of "Picturing Marilyn" at Milk Gallery on November 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company) (Neilson Barnard)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Christie Brinkley and Sailor Brinkley attend Lord & Taylor Garden City Grand Re-Opening Celebration on November 9, 2016 at Lord & Talyor in Garden City, New York. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Lord & Taylor) (Cindy Ord)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 16: Christie Brinkley attends Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 NYC launch event at Center415 Event Space on February 16, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated) (Nicholas Hunt)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Model Christie Brinkley attends Harper's BAZAAR 150th Anniversary Event presented with Tiffany & Co at The Rainbow Room on April 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Harper's BAZAAR) (Andrew Toth)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - MAY 29: Model Christie Brinkley attends Bella New York magazine's beauty cover launch at La Pulperia Restaurant on May 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 13: Christie Brinkley hosts Bella New York's Influencer Issue Launch Party at Bagatelle on March 13, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 10: (L-R) Jennifer Fouche as Matron "Mama" Morton, Christie Brinkley as Roxie Hart and Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly perform in the musical "Chicago" at The Venetian Las Vegas on April 10, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 03: Christie Brinkley attends a Special Screening Of National Geographic's Oscar-Nominated Documentary "The Cave" with Film Subject Dr. Amani Ballour at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on February 03, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for National Geographic) (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for National Geogra)
Through the years MONTAUK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: Christie Brinkley attends the Haute Living Celebration; Christie Brinkley With Wine Access at Gurney's Montauk on July 17, 2021 in Montauk, New York. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Haute Living) (Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Haute Living)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Christie Brinkley attends the 35th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards on November 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Model Christie Brinkley and son Jack Paris Brinkley look on during the Men’s Singles Final match between Casper Ruud of Norway and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on Day Fourteen of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Christie Brinkley attends the Michael Kors Collection Spring/Summer 2023 Runway Show on September 14, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 18: Christie Brinkley attends the "On Our Way" world premiere at Village East Cinema on May 18, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Manny Carabel/Getty Images) (Manny Carabel/Getty Images)
Through the years MONTAUK, NEW YORK - JULY 13: Christie Brinkley attends Rufus Wainwright 50th Birthday Celebration at The Montauk Point Lighthouse on July 13, 2023 in Montauk, New York. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Through the years PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Christie Brinkley attends the American Humane Hero Dog Awards at The Breakers on November 10, 2023 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/Getty Images) (Mireya Acierto/Getty Images)
