Chris Appleton opened up about his divorce from actor Lukas Gage for the first time, describing the private pain he experienced during their public relationship.
The celebrity hairstylist spoke candidly on the Jay Shetty Podcast about navigating their whirlwind romance and subsequent split in the public eye.
“I think people have this perception, from social media probably, that I have it together. I work with these amazing people, life looks glamorous. So, from the outside, it probably looks like I got it all together,” said Appleton, who works with Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.
“But the truth is, especially during that time, I was going through a lot of private pain.”
Appleton explained that online speculation about his relationship was overwhelming. He was focused on protecting his children from the rumors while dealing with the breakdown of his marriage.
The couple had a notably fast-moving relationship timeline.
Gage and Appleton sparked dating rumors in February 2023. They got engaged just one month later and married in April 2023. Their wedding was officiated by Kardashian and featured a performance by Shania Twain.
Appleton filed for divorce in November 2023, seven months after their wedding.
“Moving fast doesn’t always mean you’re reckless. I think sometimes it means you’re hopeful,” Appleton said about their relationship pace. “Any relationship I’ve ever been into, I’ve gone into with an open heart. And I have no regrets about that.”
He added that he’d rather experience love and potential heartbreak than feel nothing at all.
The hairstylist admitted that healing wasn’t easy but worked through his feelings in therapy. He wanted to handle the situation peacefully and on his own terms.
Gage previously discussed the split during a March 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live. The White Lotus star called his decision to marry so quickly “manic” and “absolutely unhinged.”
The divorce was finalized in June 2024.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE that same month, Gage shared his perspective on life post-divorce. “It’s been great. It’s been a year of learning, growing, changing – yeah, just constant change.”
Appleton was previously in a relationship with Katie Katon. They share two children: son Billy, 22, and daughter Kitty-blu, 20.
