Alexa Ray Joel, daughter of legendary musician Billy Joel and supermodel Christie Brinkley, took to Instagram to express her heartfelt reaction to HBO Max’s upcoming two-part documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes. Watching it in advance with her mother, Alexa called the film “astounding” and admitted it was a deeply emotional experience for her. She described the nights spent watching both parts as a whirlwind of feelings, filled with laughter and tears as they revisited precious family memories.
From Rising Star to Family Man in a Deeply Personal Billy Joel Story
The first part of the documentary dives into Billy Joel’s early life and the beginnings of his musical career. Alexa explained that it traces how her father rose to fame, capturing the challenges and breakthroughs that marked his journey as an artist. The second part, in which both Alexa and Christie Brinkley appear, shifts focus to more personal territory, highlighting their intimate family history and some of the most poignant moments of their lives together.
Alexa Ray Joel Praises “Fearlessly Raw” Billy Joel Doc as Personal, Emotional Look at Her Father’s LifeCalling it a “fearlessly raw” and “shockingly intimate” portrayal, Alexa admitted that the documentary left her stunned, exposing aspects of her father that even she hadn’t fully understood. Despite their close relationship, she felt the film’s rich storytelling brought to light deeper layers of Billy Joel’s life and legacy that were both moving and thought-provoking. It offered a multidimensional portrait of the man behind the music far beyond the public figure most fans are familiar with.
A Daughter’s Tribute and a Music Legend’s Candid Journey Through Life and Pain
In her Instagram post, Alexa praised her father not only for his music but for his vulnerability in telling his story so honestly. She directed a loving message to Billy Joel, saying, “Congrats To My One-Of-A-Kind Father on a masterpiece in true storytelling.” While acknowledging that her father tends to downplay his own significance, she emphasized how impactful and compelling his story is to those who know and love him, and likely to fans everywhere.
The documentary, premiering July 18 and 25, goes beyond music to explore Billy Joel’s personal trials, including a serious motorcycle accident in 1982 and two suicide attempts. Joel reflects candidly in the film, sharing that music ultimately saved his life. “Everything I’ve done and everything I’ve lived through has somehow found its way into my music,” he says in the trailer. Through these raw confessions and historical insights, And So It Goes offers a profound look into the soul of one of America’s most iconic songwriters.