Christie Brinkley: Politics didn’t play role in John Mellencamp split

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 (UPI) — Christie Brinkley is setting the record straight on her recent split from John Mellencamp.

The 62-year-old model denied she and the 64-year-old singer broke up due to his “hellbent political opinions” and “redneck ways” in an Instagram post Thursday.

“While much has been written over the years about me that I simply allow to roll off my back… I do stand up for my friends when things seem unfair and this is the case here…” Brinkley prefaced.

“John and I are actually both patriotic Americans who do our fair share of working to bring Americans together,” she said. “This convoluted article … [suggests] that John is against progressive Democratic politics and somehow sounds like ‘a Trump fan.’”

“John Mellencamp and I … clearly explained that ‘distance and work’ were all that stood in the way of our relationship,” the star asserted. “The problem John and I faced is just mileage. Pure and simple. Not that exciting or salacious, sorry.”

Page Six had cited Mellencamp’s “political opinions” and “redneck ways” in an article about the split Wednesday. The piece appeared to suggest the singer is right-leaning by quoting lyrics from his songs “Peaceful World” and “The West End.”

Brinkley and Mellencamp confirmed their split this week after a year of dating. A rep said that “the mileage between their homes and their heavy career demands interfered with their ability to maintain the relationship.”