Singer Alexa Ray Joel, the 28-year-old daughter of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley, kicked off her Cafe Carlyle residency on Tuesday night with a new look that sparked a round of plastic surgery rumors.
Observers claimed Joel looked “unrecognizable” with “what appears to be a brand-new face.”
Joel took to Instagram to deny the rumors. She posted the following commentary on an photo of herself from Tuesday night:
“On a personal (and slightly ridiculous note): I would just like to add that all of the continuously-circulating rumors that I have had extensive ‘face-work’ and undergone breast-augmentation surgery is simply and entirely 100% false.
The only thing I have ever had done is my nose, which I have always been completely candid, honest, and open about- and I can swear on my Beloved Gypsy-Stella The Cat that this is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God! (But hey, there could be worse rumors circulating, so, I’ll take it).
Any visibly-positive alterations in terms of my public-image are an absolute and sole credit to my brilliant makeup-artist and stylist, @darlingcait … Who is a true beauty-wizard and visionary. (That, combined with the fact that I actually have a hearty dose of self-confidence now- which took me a little extra minute or so to find.) ; )
But hey, wouldn’t it be nice if the press could just focus on my music and stage-presence? Because, honestly, I would rather be judged, critiqued, and picked apart for my actual work.
So, on that note… Please join me for an intimate evening of music, martinis, [and more!] at the Cafe Carlyle- get your tickets now- the shows are almost all sold-out!!!!!!”
“I was 13 years old in the pic posted as a ‘before’. In this latter pic, I am 28 years old [that’s the age I am now], I have lost weight simply from maturing, and I have fully contoured ‘stage makeup’ and hair done for my first debut-show at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC. Obviously, I’m going to look different. It’s called ‘growing up’!” Joel said of the before and after pictures that circulated following her Tuesday night performance.
In April 2010 Joel admitted to having underwent rhinoplasty: “I was thinking about getting this for years,” Joel said at the time. “[My nose] always bothered me a little bit. I was self-conscious of pictures taken from the side. To some people that’s vain, but at the end of the day, we all want to feel pretty.”
And it turns out that the press is talking about more than her physical appearance. Joel’s Cafe Carlyle debut received a mostly positive review in The New York Times.
The reviewer said Joel portrayed herself “as someone who follows her heart wherever it directs her,” praising her sound as one that “though not beautiful, is many shaded and emotionally high pitched.”
Image via Alexa Ray Joel, Instagram