Christie Brinkley's Divorce to Have Its Close-Up

Judge rules model's divorce proceedings will remain open to the media, despite hubby's objection for kids' sake

By Natalie Finn Jun 20, 2008 8:30 PMTags
Christie Brinkley, Peter CookRJ Capak/WireImage.com

Christie Brinkley was never one to turn down a cover story.

A New York judge ruled Friday that the former supermodel's divorce proceedings will remain open to the media, despite her soon-to-be ex-husband's objections that their kids could suffer from the 24/7 news cycle once the couple's dirty laundry hits the proverbial public clothesline.

"The required high burden of compelling reasons to close the courtroom has not been met," Supreme Court Justice Mark D. Cohen wrote in his five-page decision.

"Open courtrooms, in general and in divorce actions, may provide a basis for societal education."

Court transcripts and most records will remain sealed, however, because this is a family court case.

"We are pleased with the judge's decision and wish this didn't happen. Since the case hasn't been able to be resolved, Ms. Brinkley looks forward to her day in court," Brinkley attorney Robert S. Cohen said after court, per Newsday.

Not that Brinkley is really looking forward to dumping her private life into a fishbowl (again), however.

"I still remain hopeful that these matters can be settled privately," the 54-year-old cover girl said in a statement today.

Brinkley filed for divorce from her admitted philanderer of a husband, architect Peter Cook, in September 2006 after 10 years of marriage after Cook admitted to having affairs with two teenage girls, including his then-17-year-old office assistant and singer Samantha Cole, who told the New York Post she was just 18 when her dalliance with Brinkley's hubby began.

"She's interested in paying Peter back for the adultery," Cook's attorney, Norman Sheresky, said. "That's what this is all about. I think it's going to make her look worse."

"I don't know of any parent who has made an appeal to keep the court open," he added.

The estranged duo have one daughter together, Sailor, who will be 10 next month, and Cook adopted Brinkley's son, Jack, 13, who she had with third husband Richard Taubman.