Christie Brinkley: The Battle Continues...

Christie Brinkley: The Battle Continues...

Thursday, July 3, 2008

filed under: love & sex

Latest update from this morning's proceedings:

Christie gave an emotional testimony of her devastation on the day she found out about Cooks's affair. Brinkley friend and Today correspondent took the stand and recalled Christie's heartbreak. During a court break, Peter scoffed at Christie's testimony, "Shrek was more believable than that." Brinkley will be cross-examined once the trial resumes.

Watch momlogic's Shannon Fox on Extra tonight for her expert take on the case!

Update on July 3rd: As the volatile trial continues, we bring you the latest from yesterday's testimonies from Peter Cook, mistress Diana Bianchi, and daughter Alexa Ray Joel.

Peter detailed his affair in front of a tearful Christie, as well as admitted to paying Diana $300,000 last year to keep her quiet. Alexa recalled Peter's violent temper and cited an incident where he shoved her head into a bucket of water. See the highlights in the below clip of the Today Show.

Christie's best friend, Jill Rappaport, who introduced the couple, is scheduled to testify today. We'll continue to update you as details from the trial are released.

The model mom's heated divorce trial begins.

Christie Brinkley's much-publicized divorce trial from fourth husband Peter Cook finally got under way. The countdown to the trial started weeks ago, when Brinkley won the right to open the proceedings to the public. Cook's attorney blasted Brinkley for supporting the decision. "That's putting her agenda in front of the best interests of the children. What kind of a mother wants her husband flogged in public?" he said.

Brinkley said she's always tried to settle the matter privately but now just wants the truth to come out. Cook previously admitted to an affair with his teenage assistant, Diana Bianchi, who has been subpoenaed to testify. He also is said to have cheated on Brinkley with Carri Lyn Ciamarra, a 31-year-old fitness model who has also been called to testify.

But the dirt doesn't stop there: Brinkley's lawyer alleges Peter spent around $3,000/month on online porn and posted nude pictures of himself on swingers' Web sites.

Cook wants full custody of the children--who he sees every other weekend--claiming that Ms. Brinkley employs nannies to look after them. According to the NY Post, a source close to Cook said it will be alleged that Brinkley left the dirty work of parenting to nannies and was more concerned with primping for public appearances.

Alexa Ray Joel, 22, the daughter of Brinkley and Billy Joel, will be called to testify about Cook's "constant criticism," said Brinkley's attorney Robert Stephan Cohen. How will the very public trial and mud-slinging affect Alexa and their other two children--Jack, 12, and Sailor, 10--as Cook and Brinkley battle it out for custody?

Divorce recovery coach Suzy Brown, author of Radical Recovery: Transforming the Despair of Your Divorce into Unexpected Good , says, "This type of vitriolic public expression is very harmful for kids," she says. "Getting revenge rarely works. It's very detrimental for the kids when all this negativity is out there for everyone to see."

Remember, she says: No matter how you feel about your ex, he's still the father of your children. "Spewing all the hatred is damaging to your children because he is still your kid's parent, no matter what," says Brown, who was divorced in 2000 and is a mother of four. She says parents' public battles can stress a kid out, strain their relationship with both parents, and damage their self-esteem.

But, on the flip side, Brinkley is standing up for herself and fighting for her children--which could actually be setting a good example, depending on how you look at it.

How do you think this court battle will affect Brinkley's kids?

"Christie Brinkley and Her Children" gallery

5 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

I sympathize with the desire to seek vengence on an X. But, if you have children you simply cannot luxuriate in the pleasure of being proved right publicly because it means that you are saying nasty things about one of the most important people in your children’s lives. My husbands exwife was an awful mom. She used drugs heavily and partied all night most nights. When we bought something nice for the children and they took it to her home on visits she would often hock their things and bring us the ticket to get their stuff out of hock if we wanted to. She hardly ever remembered birthdays so we bought gifts and labeled them from mom. She never did any other holidays either so we always tried to make her a part whenever she would let us. We never spoke badly of her to the children. As they got older and asked questions we talked about addictions and how they affect peoples lives in general terms but never in a “your mom is bad way”. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I wanted to shout out all the bad things she was doing right out loud to the children but thankfully I managed to keep my mouth shut. Both of the children are grown now and they have both told me how much they appreciate all we did to shelter them from as much pain as we could and to allow them to feel that their mom was special because no matter how bad your X is your children will still love them.

- momof9

Posted 07/02/08 09:00 PM

Sad, Sad, Sad state of affairs; The guy obviously has overzealous affection for his equipment. The 21 year old has her 15 minutes of fame. Ms. Brinkley with full custody, should move out of NY and see the west coast for a while. The scenery and fresh air would do her good.

- americanspirit

Posted 07/03/08 01:25 AM

I am supporting Christie Brinkley in her trial. My heart goes out to her.

- George Jobson

Posted 07/03/08 12:38 PM

Another self-promoting frigid b****! No decent parent would subject his or her children to public ridicule of their spouse. She deserves neither sympathy nor custody. He cheated because you abandoned him, Christie, just like all the other husbands. Deal with it (but please do so privately)!

- real doc

Posted 07/03/08 05:23 PM

I support Christie. I hope that Peter Cook cuts his losses and settles before this has to go any longer. Divorce litigation and divorce lawyers are nightmares. Her children will be fine, they have a mother who loves them and will be better off without Peter Cook. She will find she is stronger than she ever knew. He is a sick person who needs help.

- serenity mom

Posted 07/04/08 11:40 PM