Billy Joel reportedly skips his documentary premiere due to a 'rare brain condition' diagnosis

Billy Joel & Sting: One Night Only - Las Vegas, NV - Source: Getty
Billy Joel & Sting: One Night Only - Las Vegas, NV - Source: Getty

Billy Joel has recently revealed his rare brain condition diagnosis. As per a report published by People on June 4, 2025, the “Piano Man” singer shared that he was suffering from normal pressure hydrocephalus (or NPH), a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain ventricles.

As a result, the iconic singer was absent from the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of his documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes on June 4. The film encapsulates Billy Joel’s journey from humble roots to international acclaim and features rare archival footage from across his career. It also features several candid interviews, shedding light on who Joel truly is.

While Billy Joel wasn’t in the building for the occasion, stars still turned up at the Beacon Theatre, including Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro and Mariska Hargitay, among others.

"Billy Joel: And So It Goes" Opening Night Premiere - 2025 Tribeca Festival - Source: Getty
"Billy Joel: And So It Goes" Opening Night Premiere - 2025 Tribeca Festival - Source: Getty

Billy Joel’s NPH Diagnosis

Billy Joel has had to make severe changes to his 2025 plans after receiving his NPH diagnosis. In May, Joel announced the cancellation of all of his upcoming concerts due to the condition.

A statement was posted via his official Instagram account, noting,

“Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritising his health. He is grateful for the support from fans during this timed looks forward to the day where he can once again take the stage.”

The silver lining in the statement is that it does not rule out the possibility of Billy Joel making it back to the stage in some capacity at some point down the road. This is encouraging news for his fans and loved ones.

Joel’s wife Alexis also posted on his behalf from his official Instagram page. The image featured the couple alongside their two children alongside a heartfelt captioned penned by his wife:

“Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received. Bill is beloved by so many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the center of our world. We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.”

While it seems like Billy Joel has a daunting road ahead, the hope is that he perseveres and can get back to a version of what his life used to look like before his diagnosis.


Follow SoapCentral for more updates.

Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!

Edited by Deebakar