Christie Brinkley driven to brink of tears in Matt Lauer interview (VIDEO)

Normally, interviews with Matt Lauer don't end in tears. But on the "Today" show on Tuesday, Christie Brinkley was driven to the brink of them while discussing ongoing drama surrounding her divorce from Peter Cook.

The 58-year-old former supermodel said she was reluctant to talk about her case but wanted to clear the air before a promotional tour for her return to Broadway in the musical, "Chicago."

"This is the first time I've ever been on a show, and I'm really here because next week I'm going to start promoting 'Chicago' and this became such a big deal," Brinkley said. "Since the day that he realized that I wasn't coming back, there has been a real character assassination going on. I asked for and got a confidentiality agreement with the original divorce. I alone have maintained the confidentiality agreement. I had [been] offered, you know, a sympathetic show from Oprah. [Former NBC president] Jeff Zucker offered me an hour in prime time. You know, everybody asked me to come on. I did not want to do it."

Cook claims Brinkley is using the divorce to promote her role in "Chicago."

"The show that I'm in, 'Chicago: The Musical,' is the longest-running show on Broadway, Brinkley told Lauer. "They've managed pretty well without, you know, using the Peter Cook press machine. It's silly."

But Brinkley, who called Cook a "narcissist," fought back tears when talking about her family.

"Sorry, but I just want peace," Brinkley said. "And every time I have any joy, or any kind of success in anything, he has to try to destroy it."

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