Chris Appleton has built a hugely successful career as a celebrity hairstylist, working with some of the biggest names in entertainment and fashion. His personal life has also attracted plenty of attention, particularly his brief marriage to actor Lukas Gage.
Appleton and Gage became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples in 2023. Their relationship moved quickly, from going public to engagement and then marriage within a short period.
They eventually tied the knot in Las Vegas in April 2023 in a ceremony that was anything but ordinary. Kim Kardashian, one of Appleton’s longtime friends and clients, officiated the wedding, while singer Shania Twain performed for the newly married couple.
However, the romance did not last. By November 2023, the couple had filed for divorce, ending a marriage that had lasted only several months.
Who Was Chris Appleton’s Husband?
Chris Appleton’s former husband was actor Lukas Gage.
Gage is known for his work in television and film, including appearances in popular productions that helped establish him as a rising Hollywood actor.
Appleton and Gage came from different sides of the entertainment industry, but their careers placed both of them firmly in the public eye.
Appleton had already become one of the most recognised celebrity hairstylists in the world, while Gage was gaining attention through acting roles.
Their relationship quickly became a major entertainment story because of both men’s careers and the speed at which their romance progressed.
How Did Chris Appleton and Lukas Gage’s Relationship Begin?
Appleton and Gage made their relationship public in early 2023.
The pair shared glimpses of their romance on social media, prompting widespread interest from fans and entertainment outlets.
What initially appeared to be a new relationship quickly became much more serious. Before long, reports of an engagement began circulating.
The speed of their romance became one of its defining features. Within a matter of months, the couple had gone from publicly acknowledging their relationship to becoming engaged and then married.
For a celebrity couple, that kind of rapid progression naturally attracted attention.
Their Las Vegas Wedding
Chris Appleton and Lukas Gage married in April 2023 in Las Vegas.
The ceremony was intimate but included some extremely famous names. Kim Kardashian officiated the wedding, which added another layer of celebrity interest to an already highly publicised relationship.
Kardashian has worked closely with Appleton for years and has often credited him for creating some of her most recognisable hairstyles. Having her officiate his wedding made the occasion especially personal.
The ceremony also included a performance from country-pop superstar Shania Twain.
With Kardashian officiating and Twain performing, the wedding had all the ingredients of a major Hollywood event despite being relatively small in scale.
Photos and details from the ceremony quickly circulated online, giving fans a glimpse at the couple’s big day.
Why Their Marriage Attracted Attention
The marriage received so much attention for several reasons.
First, Appleton was already a major celebrity figure in his own right. His work with stars such as Kim Kardashian had made him one of the most influential hairstylists in the entertainment industry.
Second, Gage was becoming increasingly recognised as an actor. His growing profile meant that their relationship attracted interest from both entertainment and fashion audiences.
The circumstances surrounding their wedding added even more attention.
Having Kim Kardashian officiate and Shania Twain perform made the Las Vegas ceremony feel more like a celebrity event than a traditional private wedding.
There was also significant interest because the relationship represented an important personal chapter for Appleton.
Appleton’s Public Journey With His Identity
Appleton publicly identified as gay in 2022.
For the hairstylist, being more open about his identity became an important part of his personal journey.
His relationship with Gage therefore received attention not only as a celebrity romance but also as part of Appleton’s transition toward living more openly.
Appleton had previously been in a long-term relationship with a woman and has children from that relationship. His marriage to Gage came after he had become more comfortable discussing his identity publicly.
For many people following his career, the relationship represented a new and more open chapter in his life.
The Marriage Did Not Last Long
Despite the excitement surrounding their wedding, Appleton and Gage’s marriage ended quickly.
The couple filed for divorce in November 2023, around six months after their Las Vegas wedding.
The reason listed for the divorce was irreconcilable differences.
The short length of the marriage surprised many people, especially because the wedding had been such a high-profile event only months earlier.
Their relationship had moved extremely quickly from romance to marriage, and it ended almost as quickly.
Gage later described the decision to marry as something that happened very fast and reflected on the intense pace of their relationship.
When Was the Divorce Finalized?
Although Appleton and Gage filed for divorce in November 2023, their legal separation was not finalized immediately.
Their divorce was finalized in June 2024.
The couple had also signed a post-nuptial agreement on May 3, 2023, shortly after their wedding.
Neither Appleton nor Gage sought spousal support as part of the divorce proceedings.
The legal process therefore remained relatively straightforward compared with some high-profile celebrity divorces.
There was no prolonged public battle between the former couple, allowing both men to move forward with their careers.
What Chris Appleton Said About the Relationship
After the breakup, Appleton spoke about the experience in a more reflective way.
He indicated that the relationship had involved private emotional struggles that were not necessarily visible to the public.
This was an important reminder that the glamorous photographs and celebrity appearances surrounding a relationship do not always show what is happening behind the scenes.
Appleton also expressed that he did not regret the relationship.
Instead, he viewed the experience as part of his personal development and self-discovery.
The relationship may have ended, but it represented a period when Appleton was exploring a different side of his personal life and becoming more open about who he was.
Life After the Divorce
Following the divorce, Appleton returned much of his attention to his work.
His career as a celebrity hairstylist remains one of the strongest parts of his public identity. He has worked with numerous major stars and is widely recognised for creating high-profile hairstyles that become trends.
Appleton’s influence goes beyond simply styling hair. He has become a major name within the beauty and fashion industries, with his work regularly attracting attention from fans and other professionals.
His personal experience also appears to have reinforced his focus on authenticity and personal growth.
Rather than allowing a short marriage to define his entire story, Appleton has continued developing his career and moving forward.
Lukas Gage Has Also Continued His Career
The divorce did not stop Lukas Gage’s career either.
As an actor, he has continued working in television and film and building his own reputation in Hollywood.
His relationship with Appleton remains one chapter of his personal life, but it is far from the only thing associated with his career.
Both men ultimately returned their attention to their respective professions after the end of their marriage.
What to Know About Chris Appleton’s Former Husband
Lukas Gage was Chris Appleton’s husband for a brief period in 2023.
The couple went public with their relationship in early 2023 and quickly moved toward marriage. They exchanged vows in Las Vegas in April, with Kim Kardashian officiating and Shania Twain performing at the celebration.
Their relationship attracted considerable attention because of their Hollywood careers, the speed of their romance and the high-profile nature of their wedding.
However, they filed for divorce in November 2023 after only around six months of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in June 2024, and neither party sought spousal support.
For Appleton, the relationship became part of a larger journey of openness and self-discovery. Although the marriage was brief, he has said that he did not regret the experience.
Today, the relationship is part of the past for both men. Appleton continues to be a major force in the celebrity beauty world, while Gage remains focused on his acting career.
Their whirlwind romance may have lasted only a short time, but the marriage became one of the more talked-about celebrity relationships of 2023.