Billy Joel’s true feelings about his new HBO documentary

Alexa Ray Joel Reflects on Father’s Documentary

Alexa Ray Joel recently shared her thoughts about her father, Billy Joel, describing him as feeling “bored” while watching his own documentary.

The two-part film, which gives a deep dive into his life, is available on HBO Max. Alexa, 39, mentions her father’s perspective as he approaches 76.

She adds, “I should be very proud of yourself!” to which he responds with a casual, “yeah.” It’s interesting because he’s not your typical celebrity; he doesn’t have that narcissistic flair often seen in the spotlight.

According to Alexa, the documentary chronicles Billy’s journey—from being a bullied kid on Long Island to the struggling “Piano Man” in Hollywood, and ultimately becoming a global pop icon. It also touches on his four marriages during a decade-long residency and his record of selling out Madison Square Garden for 100 consecutive shows.

The film does not shy away from the darker times in his life, including battles with depression and alcohol abuse, presenting a balanced picture of both his career and personal struggles.

Alexa viewed the documentary with her mother, supermodel Christy Brinkley, and mentioned that she knows how introspective her father is. “I think I’ll hit him up later about it,” she remarked. “He might need some time to process. When he sees it, he may think, ‘Oh, that’s kind of cool,’ but he often doubts the significance of things. He doesn’t buy into his own hype.” It’s a refreshing take, really.

As for Alexa, she’s preparing to release a new single, “Riverside Way,” this summer, part of her upcoming EP, “Tales From A Winding Tower.” She’s also set to serve as the celebrity grand marshal for the 10th Annual Hope for Depression Research Foundation on August 3rd, aiming to raise awareness about depression in Southampton. Previous grand marshals have included notable names like Katie Couric and Candace Bushnell.

It’s all a fascinating mix—balancing personal and public lives while striving for authenticity in a world that often prioritizes image over substance.