How Did Billy Joel Lose 50 Pounds?

Billy Joel is just one of the many artists around the world who had to cancel live performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has a residency at New York City's Madison Square Garden, but was forced to take a 21-month hiatus throughout the pandemic. On Friday, November 5, the "Vienna" singer took the stage for the first time since February 2020, much to the enthusiasm of his fans, as per the New York Post. Prior to kicking off his set with his hit "New York State of Mind," Joel apologized to the crowd for the long break. "We're back in the Garden," he began, adding, "I want to thank you for waiting." 

In an interview with Howard Stern in October, Joel opened up about his hiatus from performing, revealing that the time off was both "aggravating" and "very enjoyable." While it was tough on the "She's Always a Woman" singer, it was harder on his band members, whom he made sure to provide with sabbatical pay to compensate for the lack of live performances. Ultimately, Joel doesn't think of himself as a solo artist, but rather as a part of a band. "I happen to be the guy in this band that sings the songs and they put the piano a little bit more out front," he told Stern.

At Joel's return concert, which sold out its 20,000 seats, fans noticed more than just his catchy tunes. It appears that the singer also showed off a hefty weight loss.

Billy Joel didn't opt for a traditional diet

Billy Joel took to the stage at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Friday, November 5, for his first performance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to US Weekly. As he made his appearance to the delight of his fans, they were in for an unsuspected surprise: the "Uptown Girl" singer was sporting a 50-lb weight loss. In an interview with Howard Stern back in October, Joel revealed that the 50-lb drop was unintentional. 

The Grammy award-winning artist told Stern, "I had back surgery early this year and the pain afterwards was so bad I lost my appetite." Joel used the loss of appetite as an excuse to eat less, stating that he "embraced" the lack of desire to eat and made the decision to not "eat as much." Eating less, coupled with normal "life aggravation," seemed to be the magic combination he needed to lose weight. And while he never set out to do so, he was "happy" to slough off some pounds.

In 2012, fans noticed for the first time just how much weight the "Piano Man" star had put on. US Weekly reported that he and his now-wife Alexis Roderick were spotted hopping aboard a helicopter in New York City. At the time, the weight gain was likely due to a double hip-replacement surgery that the singer went through in 2010, as well as a slowing metabolism due to age.

Billy Joel doesn't care about his looks

Billy Joel previously revealed his metabolism wasn't "what it used to be" while speaking to the Daily Mail in 2016. Still, this didn't stop him from eating his favorite dish: pasta. "On a Sunday I make a big Sunday sauce, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic. Pasta is my downfall. I love to eat," the singer said. He also commented on men with flat bellies, adding, "A guy on a diet is not a guy as far as I'm concerned" and that there's something "icky" about a man who picks at his food.

Years later, the Piano Man's eating habits have clearly changed a little. However, despite Joel's 50-pound weight loss, his thoughts on having "movie-star looks" probably haven't. "I've always been a schlubby-looking guy, and I ain't about to change," he told Rolling Stone in a 2019 interview. "Plastic surgery, wigs, I don't know. It has nothing to do with music. It's all about an image and looks."

At the time, he also opened up about his health and getting older in Hollywood. The music icon explained that in his industry, it's a "Peter Pan kinda job. You start out, and you're young, and you're rockin' and rollin', and that's what you do all your life." He continued, "You become a little myopic about how old you actually are." Joel said reality set in when he saw pictures of himself, but said he embraces his age: "I am 70 years old. I've never hidden my age, so why should I start now?"