So, let’s talk about Alexa Ray Joel. If you’ve been following the life of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley’s daughter, you know she’s been in a bit of a "forever engagement" phase. People keep Googling "Alexa Ray Joel husband," assuming she’s already walked down the aisle. Honestly? She hasn't. At least not yet. As of early 2026, Alexa Ray Joel is still technically engaged to her longtime partner, Ryan Gleason.
It’s been a long road. Like, a really long road. They got engaged back in 2018. That’s eight years of being fiances. In Hollywood time, that’s basically three lifetimes. But there’s a reason for the delay, and it’s actually kind of relatable if you ignore the "daughter of a billionaire rockstar" part.
Who is Ryan Gleason?
First off, let’s clear up who the guy actually is. He’s not a musician, which is probably a relief for her. Ryan Gleason is a New York City restaurateur. He’s the guy behind spots like Boulton and Watt and Drexler’s in the East Village.
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He’s basically a downtown NYC guy. He’s also a real estate broker. If you look at their social media—which they’ve kept surprisingly low-key lately compared to other celeb couples—he’s just a dude who loves travel, good food, and apparently, Alexa’s very specific brand of quirkiness. Even Christie Brinkley is obsessed with him. She’s gone on record saying he’s the "nicest guy" and a "real sweetheart." When your potential mother-in-law is a legendary supermodel and she’s your biggest fan, you’re doing something right.
The proposal itself was pretty cinematic. It happened on a beach in late 2017/early 2018 during a vacation for Alexa's 32nd birthday. Ryan told her, "Before I met you, my world was in black and white. You colored it in between the lines." I mean, come on. That’s a line. Alexa was reportedly so "shell-shocked" she couldn't even speak. She just stared at the massive emerald-cut ring while he laughed at her.
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The Wedding That Never Quite Happened (Yet)
So, why isn't there an Alexa Ray Joel husband yet? Why is it still "fiancé"?
Well, life happened. Primarily, the pandemic. In 2020, Christie Brinkley told Extra that the wedding was officially on hold because of COVID-19. They didn’t want a scaled-down Zoom wedding. They wanted the "Cipriani vibe." We’re talking old-school New York, Italian food, and a massive party.
- The New York Dream: They want it in the city. No destination wedding in the Tropics.
- The Food: High-end Italian. No "chicken or fish" rubbery wedding meals.
- The Music: This is the big one. Alexa has said there won't just be a band. She and Billy Joel are planning to duet. Can you imagine the pressure on the wedding singer? "Hey, just so you know, the Piano Man is going to take over for a bit."
But honestly, since 2021, things have been quiet. Alexa turned 40 in December 2025, and while Billy posted a sweet tribute to her, there was no mention of a "son-in-law." They seem happy just being. Alexa even released a song called "Seven Years" dedicated to Ryan, which basically chronicles their relationship's highs and lows. It’s clear they aren't in a rush to satisfy a Google search query.
Why People Get This Wrong
The reason people keep searching for "Alexa Ray Joel husband" is usually because they see them at red carpet events looking like a married couple. They’ve been together since 2013. That’s 13 years of partnership. In a world where celebrity marriages last 72 days, a 13-year relationship is basically a Golden Anniversary.
They live together in New York. They share a life. They attend family functions. Ryan is effectively part of the Joel-Brinkley clan. Whether they have a piece of paper from the city clerk’s office or not doesn't seem to change their day-to-day reality.
What to Expect Next
If you're waiting for the big wedding announcement, keep an eye on the Hamptons or the Upper East Side. When it happens, it won't be a secret. Between Christie’s Instagram and Alexa’s own flair for the dramatic, it’ll be a full-blown event.
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For now, the takeaway is simple: Ryan Gleason is the man in her life, the fiancé of nearly a decade, and the person who "colored in" her world. If you're looking for factual updates on their status, don't look for a marriage certificate; look for her at the piano and him in the front row.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to stay updated on their eventual nuptials, follow Alexa Ray Joel’s official Instagram rather than gossip tabloids. She tends to post long, poetic captions that give way more insight into her actual relationship status than any "anonymous source" ever could. Keep an eye out for mentions of "Cipriani" or "rehearsals"—that'll be your signal that the wedding is finally on the calendar.