Alexa Ray Joel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexa Ray Joel
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Joel in 2018
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| Born | December 29, 1985 New York City, U.S.
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| Years active | 2006–present |
| Partner(s) | Ryan Gleason (2018–present; engaged) |
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Alexa Ray Joel (born December 29, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. She is the only child of famous singer/songwriter Billy Joel and model Christie Brinkley. Alexa Ray Joel has released an EP called Sketches (2006) and several songs on independent record labels. She has also performed at many charity events and fashion shows in New York City.
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Early Life and Family
Alexa Ray Joel was born on December 29, 1985, in Manhattan, New York. Her parents are singer-songwriter Billy Joel and model Christie Brinkley. Her middle name, Ray, was chosen to honor the musician Ray Charles. Her father, Billy Joel, recorded a song called "Baby Grand" with Ray Charles.
Alexa has several half-siblings. On her mother's side, she has a half-brother named Jack Paris Brinkley and a half-sister named Sailor Brinkley Cook. On her father's side, she has two younger half-sisters named Della Rose and Remy Anne.
Her father wrote his 1993 song "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" for her. Alexa has said this is her favorite song that he has written. His 1989 song "The Downeaster Alexa" is named after a boat he called "Alexa," but the song is about the challenges faced by fishermen. Alexa is also mentioned in her father's 1989 song "Leningrad."
Alexa Ray Joel is known for writing songs with strong melodies. She has shared that growing up with a musician father gave her a special look into how songs are created. She writes music in a similar way to her father: she creates the melody first, and then adds the lyrics. By the time she was 15, she was already writing complete songs with piano music and also writing poetry.
Music Career
In 2005, when she was 19, Alexa Ray Joel formed a band and performed her first live show in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 2006, she played almost 100 shows, including a tour of Hard Rock Cafe locations.
First EP: Sketches
In August 2006, Alexa Ray Joel released her first collection of songs, an EP called Sketches. An EP is shorter than a full album. She released it herself, without a major record label. She explained that it was called Sketches because the songs were like "raw sketches," and some were even recorded in just one take. Alexa also designed the CD cover and artwork, which included her own handwritten lyrics. The EP also featured her pop/rock version of Neil Young's song "Don't Let It Bring You Down."
Later Performances and Songs
After Sketches, Alexa Ray Joel performed at several music festivals. These included the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 2007) and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (June 2007).
She has also performed with her father at charity events. In 2008, they performed together at the Rainforest Foundation Fund Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall. She has supported many other causes, including benefits for pediatric cancer, seriously ill children, Habitat for Humanity, and animal rights.
In October 2008, Alexa and her father performed the song "Baby Grand" at an event to support Barack Obama's election campaign.
In October 2009, Alexa Ray Joel released her song "Invisible." It was described as a "piano-driven ballad" about a difficult breakup.
Her song "Notice Me," released in May 2010, became a popular song on Sirius XM Hits 1 satellite radio. Newsday magazine said the song was "carefree" and had "bouncy guitar riffs." This song was her first time working with producer Tommy Byrnes. Alexa said the music video for "Notice Me" used fashion to show both modern and vintage styles.
Alexa Ray Joel also had regular performances in New York City, including at the Oak Room of the Plaza Hotel and the Café Carlyle at the Carlyle Hotel.
Fashion and Endorsements
Alexa Ray Joel is also involved in New York fashion events. She performed at "Fashion's Night Out" events in Manhattan several times. She also hosted for a social networking website during New York Fashion Week, interviewing celebrities and designers.
In 2017, Alexa Ray Joel appeared in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue alongside her mother, Christie Brinkley, and her half-sister, Sailor Brinkley Cook. She was also featured on the cover of BELLA magazine's Beauty Issue in 2018.
In February 2010, Alexa Ray Joel became the new spokesperson for the Prell shampoo brand. Her songs were used in their commercials. In September 2013, she was part of The Gap's "Back to Blue" TV ad campaign. For this, she sang her own version of her father's 1977 song "Just the Way You Are."
Personal Life
In December 2009, Alexa Ray Joel went through a difficult personal time. She later explained to ABC News that she was feeling "distraught and in so much pain" after a four-year relationship ended. She said she was "panicked" and "not thinking clearly at all."
In April 2010, Joel had a nose surgery. She told People magazine that she had thought about it for five years. The surgery was to fix a deviated septum (a problem with the wall inside the nose) and to help her feel better about herself. She said she was "done with plastic surgery" after that.
In a July 2010 interview, Alexa Ray Joel spoke about stepping out of the "shadows" of her famous parents and recovering from her difficult period. She said it was "scary" to be compared to a "rock and roll legend" like her father. She felt her confidence grew as more people accepted her for who she is. She also mentioned that being asked to be the face of Prell shampoo was a "big confidence booster."
In 2013, Alexa Ray Joel started dating restaurateur Ryan Gleason. They got engaged on January 1, 2018. Their wedding was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discography
- Sketches (EP, August 2006)
- "For All My Days" (single, January 2008)
- "Invisible" (single, October 2009)
- "Notice Me" (single, May 2010)
- "All I Can Do Is Love" (single, August 2011)
- "Beg You to Stay" (single, November 2011)
- "Just the Way You Are" (single, September 2013)
See also
In Spanish: Alexa Ray Joel para niños
