Christie Brinkley is a mama bear when it comes to her girls.

The 63-year-old supermodel and her daughters, Alexa Ray Joel and Sailor Brinkley Cook, visited the Today show on Wednesday, where they opened up about posing for the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and the media scrutiny Alexa and Sailor faced growing up in the spotlight.

WATCH: Sailor Brinkley Cook, Alexa Ray Joel Talk Body Struggles, Posing With Mom Christie Brinkley in 'Sports Illustrated'
"I have to tell you it was excruciating," Brinkley said of the critical comments that followed her daughters as they grew up in her spotlight. "As a mom, I could cry now."

"There's nothing worse [than seeing your children attacked by the media]," she added, tearing up.

For Alexa, whose father is singer Billy Joel, it's hard to forget the types of comments made about her appearance.

"Not to rehash too much I don't want any pity, I have a great life and I'm very privileged to be where I am but I certainly went through it," she recalled.

"They did used to call me 'bow-wow face.'

So I went through it. I grew into myself later in life."