Gossip: Surfer dates Christie Brinkley?

a New York State of Mind for sure!

Balaram Stack is a New York surfer with a wonderful name. I once broke into his mom’s house with then Surfing editor-in-chief Taylor Paul to maybe get wax or something? I can’t remember. We wanted to surf and it was pumping out the front. Later, Balaram’s mom drove us somewhere. All of this is fuzzy. Taylor? Can you help me here?

Billy Joel is a New York singer famous for his soulful vocals and piano playing. His famous song New York State of Mind soars as does the playful Uptown Girl. The latter was written about his then wife supermodel Christie Brinkley.

And has there ever been a grander star than she? Her face filled my childhood dreams. The very picture of American beauty. She graced the cover of many Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions, was in National Lampoon’s Summer Vacation as Chevy Chase’s fantasy in the red Ferrari and tickled insomniacs with her late night informercials for Total Body Fitness etc.

She and Billy Joel were married in 1985 and divorced in 1994. But there is a new man on her Instagram feed and it is none other than New York surfer Balaram Stack! Could they be more than friends? The captions are cute, nice, fun and may belie a romantic connection? Balaram’s eyes sure glow but wouldn’t yours? I texted the boy and asked, “Are you dating Christie Brinkley?” At time of printing he has yet to respond.

If Balaram and Christie Brinkley are, indeed, an item I will nominate this for the best surfer + model/actress/singer connection of all time. Kelly Slater with Pam Anderson had, previously, held the number one slot. Kelly Slater with Giselle had held the number two. Kelly Slater with Cameron Diaz had held number three. But Balaram trumps them all if, indeed, true.

(Thanks to Jerry Muncuso for his sharp IG skills.)