Christie Brinkley Had to Drop Out of 'Dancing with the Stars', But She Definitely Approves of Her Replacement

Louisa Ballhaus

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The Brinkley family really knows how to make the best of a bad situation. Christie Brinkley’s daughter is taking over on Dancing with the Stars after an injury has left Brinkley unable to compete. Brinkley’s daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a Sports Illustrated model. Now, she’ll be taking over her mother’s dance routine, too — with only hours to catch up to fellow contestants before the show premieres tonight.

Earlier today, ABC released a statement regarding Brinkley’s injury on Instagram: “While rehearsing for the premiere of Dancing with the Stars, Christie Brinkley suffered injuries which required surgery to her wrist and arm,” the post reads. “She is unable to continue her planned participation on the show. Keeping it all in the family, her daughter Sailor Brinkley-Cook, a Sports Illustrated model, has chosen to quickly step in with hours to learn the entire routine and will compete in her mother’s place for the remainder of the season. We wish Christie a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her in the audience, whenever possible, proudly supporting Sailor.”

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21-year-old Sailor spoke to Good Morning America about her impromptu decision to join the cast, and she sounds excited for the challenge ahead: “I’m doing this mostly for my mom!” she announced on the talk show. “I just want to make her happy and make her proud. She loved doing this, she loves dancing and she loves performing and getting hurt was her worst nightmare … I felt this high of just attacking something I was so afraid of and it felt like something I need to do. I think it will change me.”

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While rehearsing for the premiere of ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ Christie Brinkley suffered injuries which required surgery to her wrist and arm. She is unable to continue her planned participation on the show. Keeping it all in the family, her daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook, a Sports Illustrated model, has chosen to quickly step in with hours to learn the entire routine and will compete in her mother’s place for the remainder of the season. We wish Christie a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her in the audience, whenever possible, proudly supporting Sailor. #DWTS

A post shared by Dancing with the Stars (@dancingabc) on Sep 16, 2019 at 5:33am PDT

A source has since told People that Brinkley was “devastated” following her injury: “She was really loving this experience, having a fantastic time and she was doing great learning the routine. Literally what happened was a freak accident that required major surgery,” the source says. “She’s been working so hard and loving it, and for this to happen just a couple days before? It’s awful.”

That being said, Brinkley is still “excited” to see Sailor take over her role: “Wait till you see Sailor. She is a natural,” the source tells People. We’ll see for ourselves tonight!

Dancing with the Stars airs Monday nights on ABC at 8/7c.

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