Chris Appleton shot to fame as the guru behind Kim Kardashian‘s glamorous hairdos – but has since gained prominence for his splashy wedding – and subsequent divorce – from Lukas Gage.
While grabbing attention for his personal life, the English star, 40, has had quite the Hollywood makeover since ditching his hometown of Leicester for the bright lights of LA.
Before his journey to US fame, the dad-of-two looked unrecognizable while he was toiling away in salons in the UK, sporting tousled brown hair and a distinctly less chiseled jawline.
When he was catapulted into the spotlight due to his work with Rita Ora – the star debuted a flashy makeover with platinum blonde locks and a muscly frame – with the transformation just beginning.
As Appleton moved to LA to pursue his career with A-listers including Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez, the 6ft3 star wowed with his classic good looks, killer cheekbones and jawline, and sparkling white smile – even landing a modelling contract with IMG.
As the stylist star returns to the dating market after his split, DailyMail.com looks back at his Hollywood makeover…
Stunning: Chris Appleton has had quite the Hollywood makeover since ditching his hometown of Leicester for the bright lights of LA (pictured left in 2010 and right in April 2023)
BEGINNINGS IN LEICESTER, ENGLAND
Wow: Appleton showed off his boyish good looks in 2010 as he was pictured customizing wigs for patients at a hospital in his native Leicester, England
2009: The future star sported a tousled mane, shaggy beard and noticeably fairer complexion as he was filmed doing hair backstage at a fashion show
Appleton got his first job in a hair salon when he was 13 in 1996 – after lying on his application and saying he was 15 – after first realizing his passion for hairstyling aged nine.
His work at George’s Hairdressing in Leicester quickly gained acclaim and he would enter a relationship with the salon’s now managing director Katie Katon when the pair were both teenagers.
The former couple would welcome two children, son Billy, now 21 and daughter Kitty-blu, 18 – but split when Appleton came out as gay in 2009 aged 26.
On his time off, Appleton would travel to London, attain a hair color degree and assist hairstylists on editorial fashion shoots.
Appleton showed off his boyish good looks when he won BBC 3’s Young Hairdresser of the Year back in 2009.
The future star sported a tousled mane, shaggy beard and noticeably fairer complexion as he was filmed doing hair backstage at a fashion show.
The next year Appleton sported a bowl cut as he was pictured customizing wigs for patients at a hospital.
ROAD TO STARDOM
Back then: A dashing Appleton posed with Rita Ora after he moved to London and began styling her hair – they are pictured 2016
New image: The future star showed off an edgier rock image and spiked locks in 2016
His BBC win saw him work with celebrities including Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne on magazine shoots – where he began to adopt a more streamlined style.
The star was seen out and about with Rita Ora in 2014, where he looked dapper with slicked back locks and a deep tan.
He had moved to London to work with Ora that year – with his social media beginning to amass huge amounts of followers.
MOVE TO LA IN 2016 AND KIM KARDASHIAN MEET
Striking: The star then made the decision to move to Los Angeles for his career – and adopted one of his signature looks, a platinum blonde coif – he began working with Kim Kardashian that year
Handsome: The star – seen here with Ariana Grande in 2016 – quickly landed a modelling contract with IMG Models
Body transformation: Appleton also debuted a muscular physique after his move to LA (pictured left 2016 and right in 2021)
Tanned: Appleton showed off a deep tan as he settled into LA life (pictured with Joan Smalls in 2016)
A-list: The star is seen with Katy Perry back in 2017
Chiseled: The star showed off his killer cheekbones in 2018 in Beverly Hills
Appleton was then offered a job with global superstar Jennifer Lopez – but was forced to decline due to being in the UK.
The star then made the decision to move to Los Angeles for his career – and adopted one of his signature looks, a platinum blonde coif.
Appleton also debuted a more muscular frame, appeared to have got veneers and his jawline appeared noticeably more chiseled.
He was asked to do Christina Aguilera’s hair for The Voice – which led to a fateful meeting with Kim Kardashian.
He has since worked with stars including Adele and Dua Lipa – while gaining a fanbase of his own.
In 2019, the star showed off his incredible cheekbones and muscular frame in a sizzling shoot for Gay Times – which saw him interviewed by Kardashian.
Standout star: Appleton looked incredible as he attended an LA beauty launch in 2019
Sizzling: In 2019, the star showed off his incredible cheekbones and muscular frame in a sizzling shoot for Gay Times – which saw him interviewed by Kardashian
Bronzed: Appleton brought sleek styling to the 2020 Hollywood Beauty Awards
Pearly whites: The star appeared to have had veneers placed in this 2021 video
In late 2022 the star showed off new brunette locks and a manicured beard – coupled with A-list styling.
His chin and jaw looked sharply defined as he posed up a storm with then- beau Lukas.
Appleton and Lukas exchanged vows in a surprise Las Vegas wedding in April – but Appleton filed for divorce on Monday citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’
The couple’s date of separation is listed as Friday and they have a prenup in place.
A source told TMZ the split was ‘not an easy decision for Chris to make but he tried everything he could to make the marriage work and needed to make the best decision for himself moving forward.’
DailyMail.com contacted representatives for the pair for comment.
The pair’s wedding was only documented on Hulu series, The Kardashians last week, with Kim, 43, officiating their wedding.
She also organized for music superstar Shania Twain to serenade the couple.
Shania sang: ‘Chris, Lukas, looks like you made it, get over here, let’s do this.’
Both Chris and Lukas said: ‘We love you!’ as Shania broke into her 1997 classic You’re Still The One.
Lukas and Chris wed in front of only six guests at Little White Chapel after applying for a marriage license in Clark County.
Oscars: In late 2022 the star showed off new brunette locks and a manicured beard – coupled with A-list styling – he is seen in March 2023 at the Oscars
Family: The star is pictured with his children Billy, 21, and Kitty-blu, 18 and his ex Katie Katon in 2022
Dapper as ever: The star showed off his good looks as he attended the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards in March
Wedding: The star flaunted his Hollywood transformation during his wedding to Lukas Gage in April 2023 – which Kim Kardashian officiated
It was the same wedding venue where Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker, Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner, Bruce Willis & Demi Moore, and Frank Sinatra & Mia Farrow previously walked down the aisle.
Two of the other guests were Appleton’s two children – 19-year-old son Billy and 17-year-old daughter Kitty-blu – whom he welcomed with Leicester salon owner Katie Katon before he came out as homosexual at age 26.
Kitty-blu Instastoried several snaps from Las Vegas, including a selfie with Kimwhile watching Usher perform at Park MGM’s 5,200-seat venue Dolby Live.
The newlyweds could not keep their lips off each other as they sang along.
Gage and Appleton made their romance public in February when they shared vacation snaps from The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort in Mexico.
Over: Appleton is seen with now-estranged husband Lukas Gage in July 2023
‘I’m very happy. Very much in love. And I feel very grateful to be able to share my time with someone very special,’ Appleton gushed on The Drew Barrymore Show on March 17.
‘Love is a really special thing and I think meeting someone that you really connect with is really really special.’
In turn Gage said he felt ‘very happy, very lucky, and very much in love’ while appearing on the March 27th episode of TODAY.
‘He’s a good-looking man. Something about being in London, I got a taste of the Brits and couldn’t help myself.’
Gage is known for his role as Dillon on season one of The White Lotus, Adam Pratt on season four of You and Tyler Clarkson on Euphoria.
He also has a recurring role as Lars Olmstead in the 2019-set fifth season of kidnapping black comedy Fargo, which premieres later this year on FX.
Meanwhile, Chris has a client list that includes Kardashian, Daytime Emmy-nominated host Drew Barrymore, two-time Grammy nominee Jennifer Lopez, and three-time Grammy winner Dua Lipa.