Chris Appleton Shares His Personal Journey
Chris Appleton is no stranger to the spotlight, sculpting some of the most iconic looks for celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. But behind the scenes, his greatest transformation was personal rather than professional. At 26, Appleton faced a crossroads that went beyond hair and fashion—he came out as gay to his wife and two children.
Sitting with the fact that he was living a life not fully true to himself, Appleton described hitting a breaking point in a hospital room. It wasn't a dramatic, movie-style confession, but it was raw and real. He said he could no longer "hate himself," a feeling rooted in trying to meet everyone's expectations except his own. Pushing past the fear, he decided it was time to be authentic—even if it meant upending his carefully constructed world.
The Conversation That Changed Everything
He didn't just have to come out to the public; the bigger hurdle was telling his then-wife and their kids, Billy and Kitty-Blu. This wasn't just a family matter—it was an emotional reckoning. Imagine the weight of telling your loved ones something so deeply personal, knowing it could change everything. Appleton said that moment felt like shedding a heavy coat he'd worn his whole life, but it was also terrifying in its uncertainty.
At first, there was confusion and pain. But over time, the honesty became a bridge rather than a wall. His kids didn't just accept him—they celebrated him. In 2021, Billy and Kitty-Blu proudly presented him with a Hollywood Beauty Award, a public sign of just how much love endures and evolves. That support was not a given, but something rebuilt through tough conversations and real openness.
Since then, Appleton hasn't shied away from sharing his story. He speaks openly about the rough patches—feeling alone and misunderstood—and about forging a path toward genuine acceptance. It's a journey full of setbacks and triumphs, but above all, it's proof that loving yourself is the start of letting others love you back for who you really are.