Billy Joel’s daughter took to her social media accounts to promote his upcoming documentary, sharing a video clip of them posing together. After seeing the footage, netizens quickly drew comparisons between her and her parents.
Over the past weekend, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley’s daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, posted a short black-and-white video on social media. The clip, featuring her with her father, was set to his song, “And So It Goes.”
The father and daughter appeared to be chatting in the footage. Upon watching the clip, netizens rushed to share comparisons and reactions. One viewer commented, “got [sic] daddy’s dreamy eyes,” while another remarked, “Looks just like Daddy!😍”
Another person stated that Alexa Ray was the “Spitting image of [her] dad 🌹🥰🫶🎈💗😘🥂.” Seeing the same thing, one netizen noted, “You resemble your dad, beautiful young lady,” while another added, “Like Father Like Daughter 🫶.”
Bringing Brinkley into the discussion, someone else remarked, “Definitely did not get her mother’s looks.” Still, others shifted the focus with someone on Facebook commenting, “His daughter has a very exotic beauty. She’s grown up to be a beautiful. [sic]”
Another fan shared a more heartfelt message: “You look stunning, Alexa. Your voice is amazing, too. Just like your father’s. Much love.”
Alexa Ray announced that Billy’s “very special documentary,” “Pop, And So it Goes,” would premiere as the opening feature of the Tribeca Film Festival. The screening is scheduled to take place at The Beacon Theatre in New York City on June 4.
She also revealed that the documentary will be available for streaming on HBO later in the summer. Alexa Ray continued, “I was honored to be interviewed extensively for this in-depth portrait— and to offer my own candid reflections and insight on a profoundly gifted, kind, irreverent, generous, and complicated man… My Father.”
She added, “Hope you’ll enjoy the stories, memories, joy, pain, music, nostalgia, and more… Yours Truly, Alexa Ray 🌹”
Alexa Ray’s mother is set to share her story in a new memoir, “Uptown Girl,” which is scheduled for release on April 29. In the book, Brinkley opens up about her challenging childhood, five decades in modeling, and a turbulent romantic history. She revealed that she met Billy at a dive motel bar in St. Barts in 1983.
Recalling her first impression of the singer at the piano, Brinkley said, “He definitely didn’t look like a rock star.”
In her memoir, she wrote, “The man was sunburned to a crisp, his face the same color as cranberries and unctuous with oil, which he’d undoubtedly slathered on to soothe the burn, topped by what I like to call ‘the Long Island bubble:’ a carapace of curly shellacked hair popular in the 1980s in parts of suburban New York.”
At first, the now 71-year-old said she wasn’t even sure whether his name was Billy Joel or Billy Joe. So, she “decided to play it safe,” greeting him with, “You look like a ‘Joe’ to me.”
Before long, the two started dating. Reflecting on their early relationship, Brinkley said, “We laughed like you couldn’t believe. But also he was so sensitive and he did all the old-fashioned things, the flowers, the notes and the poems and [sic] the songs.”
She recalled how he would go to the recording studio to write music and tell her, “‘This one’s for you,'” with her retorting, “How could I not fall in love with him?” Hearing him perform on stage, she found herself “undeniably attached to this physically hot and charismatic man.”
Their nicknames for each other were “Bada Bing and Bada Boom,” because, as she put it, “we were really like teenagers falling in love. We were suddenly fumbling and stuttering and dropping things.”
The couple married on March 23, 1985, welcomed their daughter, and built a dream home in the Hamptons. However, the pressures of their careers and lives began to take a toll on their relationship.
In her memoir, Brinkley explained that divorce was not something she ever wanted, “To be clear, I never wanted to end things with Billy. But his drinking was bigger than the both [sic] of us.”
Now reflecting on the past, she added, “In the end, when the relationship isn’t functioning the way you want it to be anymore — that’s the worst kind of loneliness because you just can’t make it work together and that’s painful.”
Eventually, both she and the musician found love again. Brinkley married Colorado real estate developer Ricky Taubman after they survived a helicopter crash in 1994, although they divorced the following year.
She went on to marry architect Peter Cook in 1996. However, that relationship ended in scandal, with a six-year divorce process and a custody battle. Reflecting on her past relationships, she joked, “There were some doozies.”
Fortunately, all these years later, Alexa Ray’s parents have remained on good terms. The model shared that their relationship is “great,” explaining that since Billy primarily lives in Florida now, she doesn’t see him as often as when he lived in Sag Harbor.
When he visits to see their daughter, he will come to greet her. The mother and daughter sat down for the book interview together, reminiscing and sharing lesser-known stories. Alexa Ray appeared to confirm her mother’s account, saying, “Dad and I are really close.”
In 2006, Billy’s daughter spoke about how she developed a love for music through her father. By the age of two, she had already taken an interest in music because he played nursery rhymes for her on the piano.
When asked if she believed it was a calling, Alexa Ray confirmed that she did, it’s “in my blood, something that I was born to do.” She felt this way because music was the only thing that came to her naturally.
The singer-songwriter fondly recalled growing up listening to her father compose music at the piano for hours. Observing his process as he pieced together melodies and lyrics over the years gave her unique insight into the art of songwriting.
She noted, “It’s no wonder I write music in the same way he does: melody first, and lyrics second!”
Brinkley’s upcoming memoir paints a vivid portrait of life, love, and resilience. Through it all, her bond with Billy and their daughter remains a testament to enduring family ties.
Alexa Joel isn’t the only child of a star who’s appeared alongside their fathet in recent days, sparking comments and comparisons. As previously reported, a three-time CMT Music Awards winner’s teenage daughter drew widespread attention after her prom appearance triggered a wave of reactions across social media.
Jelly Roll recently shared a heartwarming moment with his daughter, Bailee Ann, as she headed to her prom. The photo, posted by Music Mayhem, captured the father-daughter duo beaming with joy, sparking a buzz.
Bailee wore a strapless yellow gown with tiered ruffles and held a bouquet of red roses. Her makeup was softly done, and her hair was styled straight, tucked behind her ears to showcase her statement earrings.
Jelly stood proudly in a denim vest layered over a black T-shirt, smiling widely with his arm wrapped lovingly around her. The image quickly went viral, drawing attention from fans across various platforms.
Bailey also posted a TikTok video showing her father walking down the stairs while holding a bouquet of roses. He then extended the flowers toward the camera.
The next moment revealed the two standing together outside, smiling and hugging. Bailey gracefully turned to show off her dress, creating a cinematic moment that resonated with many.
The Facebook community flooded the comments section with praise and admiration for the young woman. One person wrote, “Beautiful soul just like her dad. Congrats Bailee [sic].” Another commented, “Jelly Roll daughter is BEAUTIFUL and she has a gorgeous smile [sic].”
“Bailey you are beautiful! That dress is like a fairy tale. Such a proud dad moment. I’m so proud of Jelly and your weight loss! Great Job [sic]!” another person noted.
One fan said, “awww Bailey all grown up………So pretty, love the yellow girl [sic]!!!” Another shared, “Absolutely beautiful. Looks like Belle from Beauty and the Beast [sic].”
Bailee’s TikTok also drew enthusiastic responses. One fan commented, “I can’t believe she [sic] already so grown up! This makes me think of Belle!”
Another said, “My jaw DROPPED she looks stunning [sic].” “oh my gosh!!! She’s a literal Disney princess stop itttt [sic],” someone added.
@thebaileeann my built in best friend #baileeann #prom2025 #jellyandbailee @Jelly Roll ♬ original sound – Rhonda Dennis
Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, has spoken openly about his difficult past and the meaningful bond he shares with his daughter, Bailee Ann.
In a November 2024 interview with People, the Grammy-nominated singer revealed that he was just 14 years old when he was first arrested.
Despite that, he has no concerns that Bailee, 16 at the time of the interview and turning 17 in May 2025, will follow the same path.
He recalled a conversation where he encouraged Bailee by pointing out her strengths. “I don’t judge you based on what you do. I judge you based on what I know you’re capable of,” he told her.
“You’re so much smarter than I was at 16. You’re so much better, so much more emotionally intelligent. You can read a room so much better. So don’t try to talk your way out of getting in trouble, Miss Sassy, by weaponizing my past,” added the “All My Life” singer.
Now 40, Jelly, also a father to 8-year-old Noah, said Bailee is far ahead of where he was at her age, and he feels hopeful about her future.
“When I look at what she does that I consider horrible, I look back at what I was doing at 16, and I’m like, ‘Oh man…’ When I’m hard on her about stuff or a little pushy, she knows it’s from love,” he shared.
The country rap artist and his wife, Bunnie Xo, have had full custody of Bailee since 2017. Bailee’s mother has dealt with drug addiction, but Jelly has shared that Bailee and her mom are currently working on rebuilding their relationship.
Bailee has remained close to her father and joined him earlier in November at the 2024 CMA Awards. Jelly, who was incarcerated at the time of her birth, has often said that her arrival marked a significant turning point in his life.
“We were really, really close before it exploded, but she understands what it’s doing for her future and the family’s future,” he said.
He also shared that Bailee has remained grounded, having been in the same public school district for a decade and maintaining long-standing friendships since he and Bunnie assumed custody.
Bailee also appeared on Bunnie’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast, where she opened up about her goals. She said she hopes to attend Columbia University after high school to pursue a career in criminal defense law.
“That’s where I wanna go, and I wanna study law. As for music, I don’t have any plans for it right now,” she explained.
She also spoke about the experience of growing up with a famous father. “We’re all kinda used to it,” she said. “He’s come to football games, and whatever. So I think everybody’s kind of over that ‘Oh, my God.’ And, also, people are kinda just know not to [expletive] with me. I’m just not the one. So it’s pretty easy. Other than that, making new friendships is hard, but I just don’t do that anymore.”
From heartfelt prom moments to open conversations about growth and responsibility, Bailee Ann continues to show maturity beyond her years.
With the support of her father, Jelly Roll, and a clear vision for her future, she is forging her own path — one grounded in stability, ambition, and family connection.
