Alexa Ray Joel is the new face of Prell shampoo: cute or nepotism?

Wayuu Taya Foundation Gala in New York

I actually really like Alexa Ray Joel, from what little I’ve know about her. She’s 24 years old, a would be singer-song writer, and the daughter of Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel. Last December, Alexa attempted suicide after splitting with her boyfriend, plus going through a lot of sh-t with her parents and their respective divorces. Her attempt and hospitalization became a wakeup call for her and her parents, and she seems to be doing much, much better these days. So well, in fact, that Alexa signed on to be the new face (or hair) of Prell shampoo, just like her mom (who represented the brand 25 years ago). Alexa said in a public statement: “I am so excited and honored to be named the new face of Prell — especially following in the footsteps of my mother, who was a Prell girl!”

Okay, I’ve said enough nice things about her, right? She does seem like a nice girl, and I do think she’s very, very pretty – she got an interesting mix of her father and mother with her looks, Billy’s coloring with her mom’s cheekbones and smile. It’s nice. And she does have great hair. Now, I watched this commercial and for the first 25 seconds I was like “Oh, what a lovely young woman, I hope she’s doing well.” And then the last five seconds happened, and now… oh God… just watch it:

Her singing voice, right? It sounds… not good. Like an out-of-tune falsetto. Singing: UR DOIN IT WRONG. Well, at least we know why she was always described as a “struggling singer”. As in, she struggles to sing in tune. Aw, now I feel bad. I do like her. But she should stick to modeling. Maybe acting too? Just don’t sing, please, Alexa.

Alexa Ray Joel, Jubilantly Happy Just 6 Months Ago, Was She Really Depressed All Year?

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46 Responses to “Alexa Ray Joel is the new face of Prell shampoo: cute or nepotism?”

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  1. I think it’s cute that you said that she got Billy’s coloring and left off “as well as whole upper face – nose to eyes!” I think she is lovely and seems nice and I think she is one of those Ashley Simpson faces where just a simple nose job would make you drop your shit and be like, “DAMN! Chica is smokin’!”

  2. Fluffy Kitten Tail says:

    It doesn’t bother me if it is nepotism. So is mostly everything in the celebrity world.

  3. terry says:

    Here in Chicago nepotism is ok as long as it is kept in the family! She is not as stunning as her mom but remember…every man her mom has been with has cheated on her. She is attractive and deserves the chance.

  4. british bitch says:

    She´s more attractive than her “it´s all about me” scarecrow mother, all fake teeth bleached hair, and superficiality. Her wheels keep falling off because of her selfish, childish parents. Go Alexa, be yourself, you´ve got youth honey, what more does a girl need?

  5. Dorothy says:

    that was BAD singing!

  6. simplicity says:

    I’d call her cute. With two celeb parents she may be in search of her own identity.

  7. gen says:

    Are you kidding Little Fat me? She better not get any plastic sx. She is perfect just the way she is. God! Just cause she doesn’t have some perky little button nose! What the hell happened to individuality & character in a person? Maybe everyone should Heidi Montag themselves?

  8. LindyLou says:

    @gen – I agree. She is a gorgeous woman and definitely should NOT have plastic surgery.

  9. Lilias says:

    I was seriously thinking along the same lines, “pretty girl, beautiful hair”, her commercial was a bit stiff and she seemed uncomfortable but i figured she just isn’t used to doing commercials.

    And then the singing happened. Oh god. I let out an involuntary giggle and then guffawed. I feel like an ass but JEEZ that was awful. Like a robot singing. It made me think that she totally sang that bit and then they autotuned it so much that it no longer sounded human.

  10. Kaye says:

    She is really beautiful but, you’re right, they could have done a lot better with the singing. It was just weird. I actually think she is prettier than her mom was at her age. Her looks are more interesting.

  11. Jeri says:

    She seems nice and all, but face it. Would she have been chosen by Prell if not for her parents.

  12. dread pirate cuervo says:

    They still make Prell? I remember getting a perm in 7th grade (1988) & the hairdresser telling me, whatever you do, don’t use Prell or Pert!

  13. Katija says:

    She reminds me of Emmy Rossum.

  14. Neelyo says:

    She’s pretty but drier than melba toast in the personality department.

    And that singing! Did they fade it out on purpose like that? If so, they should have started a few seconds earlier.

  15. lrm says:

    I’m just going to be blunt: She got more of Billy Joe’s looks than she got from christie brinkely.

    Have you noticed that trend? Homely musicians sacking gorgeous supermodels=not the most beautiful offspring. But yet, they STILL end up modelling, being photographed as socialites,etc.
    Let’s see,Mick Jagger’s girls with Jerry Hall; Bob Geldoff with what’s her name…and peaches geldof is not what i’d call attractive.

    Sure, you are not going to notice these people on the street and find them hideous, but that’s the point: You wouldn’t really notice them at all…were it not for the nepotism. Cameras, makeup,lighting,and STILL they only look decent!!! not amazing.

    Can we name more of these unfortunate genetic combos, looks-wise? I am not speaking about them as people here-it’s a gossip site. Oh, Kimberly Stewart. C’mon, people, let’s find some more.
    liv Tyler’s got a unique look, but then so does steven tyler.

  16. lucy2 says:

    @Katija, she does look like Emmy Rossum.

    She seems to have grown into her looks, and she’s cute and pretty now. I can’t imagine her doing a ton of modeling though, if she didn’t have the parents she does. But good for her, why not if you can?
    The singing though…

  17. Cinderella says:

    The commercial would have been effective had they not had her “walk in twice” and sing at the end. The music in the background was enough.

    She has a great head of hair and a million dollar smile so that’s what they should focus on. It’s not necessary for her to strut or do anything cheesy.

    As far as Prell, I won’t even wash my car with it.

  18. anon says:

    This chick is the definition of “un-cute”. I’m not seeing pretty anywhere… but who cares? It’s shampoo and she’s got nice hair.

  19. Holycow says:

    Her hair looks good.
    Isnt that the point

  20. Anti-icon says:

    The most shocking thing about this is that the Prell brand still exists. It will probably do the brand some good to have her; and do her some good to have a job. So, all’s well where I’m concerned (cause I’m sure she’s just waiting for my co-sign.)

  21. Mirdeb says:

    Give the girl a break…

  22. Maritza says:

    It’s good to see she is finally happy and working.

  23. Tia C says:

    And I wonder how many takes it took to get that one fairly awful one? Poor thing. She has blossomed into a charming, beautiful, original-looking young woman (who does NOT need a nose job), but her fragile ego is overshadowed by those of her parents. She is young and still trying to find her niche. I suspect singing is not going to be it.

  24. nylon says:

    she’s cute. she isn’t physically beautiful and that hair looks like its too big for her to handle.

  25. jersey says:

    AGGH! I HATE Prell!!! When I was in bootcamp (USN) that was all my RDC would allow us to use and my hair has never been drier or more lifeless. And let me just say that my hair is pretty hard to f’ up. Then again I will admit if you have a ton of product build up or extremely oily hair it’d be worth trying since it strips your hair of ALL oil and residue.

  26. B says:

    Awww…well, it’s great she’s working, and a lot of people get their start through family connections, celeb or not. It’s a place to grow from, just in the public eye.

    Maybe she can be considered as voice-over/singer for Alvin and the Chipmunks: Squeakquel 3?

  27. Lanette says:

    “it’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t?” who is writing this crap?
    She is cute,,love her dimples and eyes..

  28. lucy2 says:

    I just watched it again – why does this commercial seem like it was filmed in the 80s??? The whole thing is just really awkward.

  29. RobN says:

    She reminds me of when Conan takes two picture of celebrities and shows you what their offspring would look like, and it always looks like they crawled out from under a rock.

    Her entire face is just incredibly off-kilter and there’s no way she’d have gotten this job, or any of her singing gigs, if not for mom and dad calling in some favors.

  30. Maddie says:

    I think she looks like both her mom (smile) and dad(eyes)

  31. onyx says:

    glad to see that my gag reflexes are still working.

  32. Jules says:

    Wow, I think she is really beautiful. I have seen pics of her over the years and some of them looked a little awkward so I wasn’t sure how I felt about her looks. After seeing this I think she looks both interesting/unique and beautiful. I would not change a thing with plastic surgery. We don’t need any more cookie cutter beauty.

  33. snapdragon says:

    she’s cute but that singing…whoa, nelly!

  34. Scarlet Vixen says:

    ok…I finally watched it. And maybe because I read everyone’s bad reviews first I didn’t think it was so bad! It certainly doesn’t match her speaking voice, and didn’t sound as effortless as it should. But she was on pitch at least. She has the kind of voice that’s more suited for musicals than for the radio.

  35. blonde over blue says:

    The picture of Christy Brinkley on the piano is too much and the singing is silly.

  36. Cea says:

    That last part of her singing made me cringe. As far as the nepotism goes,
    Just like in many businesses’, ( Hollywood especially) there is a lot of nepotism that goes on. . Many stars have some kind of connections..

    Both Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston had fathers who were actors.. Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian Nicole Riche, ,Liv Tyler, , Mick Jaggers Kids,Keith Richards kids, Zoe Kravitz, Kristen Stewart, Gwynath Paltrow, etc.. and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The list goes on and on. If not for that, I’d doubt many, if any of them at all, would have Hollywood careers.

    It’s probably harder for Alexa to brake through and make it on her own, not because she’s not pretty enough,(because many stars today are average looking, but because both her parents are so super well known, (that you can’t down play the nepotism involved ) But heck,
    If someone like Heidi Montag can be famous, she certainly can be.

  37. Aviatrix says:

    Prell smells good though and you get the squeaky clean of a clarifying shampoo when you’ve gone a little overboard on product lately. I think she is pretty, interesting enough that you can’t stop looking at her because she looks unique and her features all fit together. She looks individual and not cookie cutter. Great teeth, hair and skin. She looks healthy without seeming like she tries too hard. She needs a neutrogena ad.

  38. s. says:

    I like the fact she doesn’t have a nose-job. Sure, she’s homely but at least she’s not ugly AND fake, like heidi montag.

  39. Bullett says:

    In some odd way I feel for this girl. I mean, I know in reality she probably has anything and everything she could ask for, and no doubt is probably living endlessly more comfortable than I am right now. At the same time though, it’s got to be difficult to want to be a singer/musician and have a father that was so successful at that in his day. It must be quite apparent to her that she’ll never have that level of musical skill. And every young girl wants to be pretty, and here she has a mom that was one of THE original supermodels; Alexa must recognize she will never be perceived as having that level of beauty, as well. I would think those circumstances would engender substantial feelings of defeat on a daily basis.

  40. CB Rawks says:

    Stick to modeling?? She may be the daughter of Christie Brinkley but we can all agree she is daddy’s girl! Looks like she didn’t get either of their talents, so maybe she should think of a whole new direction.

    I liked Seinfeld’s comments about Prell: “I use Prell, the hard stuff! Hundred Proof! Takes your roots out!”
    That should be the commercial. 😀

  41. mojoman says:

    I am sure she has a beautiful voice but I bet they changed her voice, it sounds like one of those Disney princess wake up scene moment.

  42. junipergreen says:

    I have no idea why her voice sounds like this here. I have her album and it’s gorgeous…soulful and gorgeous. But yikes, that was bad on the commercial!

  43. The Bobster says:

    Good thing they shot “Satch” head on to hide that immense schnozzle. It appears the ugly gene is dominant.

  44. LUCI LIU says:

    SHE NEEDS A NOSE JOB. THE SINGING PART OF THAT COMMERCIAL SUCKED, BIG TIME! ALEXA, YOU’RE IN SHOW BUSINESS, AND LIKE IT OR NOT, BEAUTY IS IMPORTANT. GET A NOSE JOB. IT’LL ONLY HURT FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

  45. oompa says:

    Hmm I too find this whole ad awkward but yes those last 5 secs were particularly embarrassing. I won’t judge her voice from that small moment of singing but I just find it incredibly corny to break into song like that.

    I don’t think she ‘needs’ a nose job either – I hate the idea that only a certain type of nose is acceptable and you have to ‘fix’ noses that don’t fit that standard. I don’t like the “you’re a celebrity so you should” reasoning either – I certainly don’t want celebrities to all look the same and take away unique things about them any more than I want anyone else to.

    It seems fascist to say people SHOULD get a nose job.

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