GRAZIA Exclusive: Chris Appleton Digs Deep in His New Book on Transformation: ‘Vulnerability Can Be a Beautiful Thing’

Photo courtesy of Chris Appleton “I started the book with one of the darkest nights in my life,” Chris Appleton shares about his just-launched memoir, Your Roots Don’t Define You. The tome, out January 20, follows the celebrity hair pro from his humble beginnings in England to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood (surely you’ve seen that billboard on Sunset?). In an intimate sit-down with GRAZIA USA in a Manhattan hotel suite, Appleton urges everyone to embrace evolution — read: change — even when it can be uncomfortable. In fact, allowing oneself to be vulnerable is the only way to bust out of a rut, says the expert, whether you’re stuck in a dead-end job or relationship, or need to let go of the hairstyle you’ve worn since high school. “Being able to evolve in life is really important,” Appleton says, “because if you don’t evolve, well, life does anyway. So even if you don’t want to move on, life will move on around you.” In the book, the hair pro hopes readers will relate to the choices he’s made to make peace with the past and look forward to the future with an open heart and mind — and some great hair in the process. Digging deep, sharing his own experiences “made me feel pretty vulnerable,” he admits. “But I think vulnerability can be a beautiful thing to help other people feel like they’re not alone. If the book makes anyone not feel alone, even just one person, then it was worth doing.” Lessons From Star Clients The hairdresser’s chair has always been a hub of good advice. But with Appleton, that notion is taken to the next level. Styling some of Hollywood’s most admired divas, the expert has gotten as good as he gives. Longtime client Kim Kardashian has taught him that he can multitask. “I saw her create Skims and create this phenomenal business, but then also become an actress, become a lawyer and also be a great mom and a great friend. She really is a great person.” “J.Lo knows beauty,” Appleton exclaims. “I’ve learned so much from her about even just beauty.” He’s in awe of the way the icon directs her glam squad. “She knows her face, what works for her face shape. She’s worked with the best people in the industry and she really is kind of her own artist. I think J.Lo taught me how to do a bun with one pin. She’s like, ‘Baby, if you need any more than one pin, then it’s not the right look.’” As for Kris Jenner, the momager has taught the pro “how to have a good f*cking time,” he shares. “She is such a force of power.” Appleton credits Jenner with endless inspiration. “Kris Jenner is the epitome of transforming your life and having a comeback at any age.” Photo courtesy of Chris Appleton Chris Appleton Gets Candid Speaking of transformation, Appleton got real during our interview. Here, he shares a bit more of his own story that led to the writing of the book. GRAZIA: What made you want to go there with the book? CHRIS APPLETON: I think the book was actually a really scary thing to approach, just because I wanted to do it well. What was hard about it is probably being so honest and being so open. I think there was actually, to be honest with you, a very different version of the book that was originally written. This wasn’t the original book. The original book was more glossy, more polished, maybe what people kind of expect from Chris Appleton. But like I say, I wanted to go deep, and I wanted to really open up. GRAZIA: Your life has not been very linear. What gave you the courage to leave everything in England behind and go to Hollywood? APPLETON: I think a lot of what I was motivated me to move to America, I would’ve said at the time, that it was my profession. I think the truth is I was probably running away from a lot of things. I think coming out at a later age in life was complex, and it was layered, and I carried a lot of shame and a lot of guilt. So I think I found courage from just trying to find myself and trying to find me at peace with myself. I think for a long time in my life, I’ve not really been aligned with who I truly am. I think maybe on the outside it looked like I had it all together, but on the inside, I definitely didn’t. And I think in finding alignment on the inside and looking in the mirror and being able to really, truly see myself for the first time was really powerful because I made a whole career out of making other people look in the mirror and see themselves. I just didn’t ever stop and look at myself because that was a scary thing to do. But I think once I’d seen myself, I couldn’t unsee it. And I think that was the beginning of my journey and finding courage to maybe give myself the love that I’d given others. GRAZIA: So, how do you think changing your hair can help you as a first step towards changing something on the inside? APPLETON: It’s interesting because changing your hair is so powerful. And a lot of people say to me that they don’t care about their hair. And I usually try and explain to them that they’re still making a statement with that. You’re still telling the world who you are because, at the end of the day, we all take an impression from the way we look. If you think about anyone, think about Marilyn Monroe. I think of platinum blonde hair. I can’t imagine her without that look. It was iconic to her. Think of Chappell Roan with her red hair, those curls, that’s again, signature to her. Even Lady Gaga with her platinum blonde or Kim Kardashian with her rich brunette. Hair really is a big part of identity. And I realized that from a young age when I used to do my mom’s hair because we were very poor. We had a very unprivileged upbringing. I remember feeling hungry the whole time because we were in survival, really. It wasn’t about any luxury. My mom, I tried to somehow make her look glamorous, because life was far away from that. And when she stood up and looked in the mirror, I saw her react and I felt it. That was really powerful. GRAZIA: OK, last question. Is there any celebrity who would be a dream client? Anyone you’re dying to work with? APPLETON: Oh yeah. So a star that I’ve always wanted to work with, I actually got to meet her the other day. And I really don’t get starstruck, because I think, and it’s not in an arrogant way, it’s just in a way of like, when I go to work, I know I’m there to provide a service as a professional. So I kind of just get into work mode, I kind of get professional. And as a kid, I was always kind of mesmerized by Pam Anderson. I remember there were these little packs of candy with Baywatch things and there was a card inside and I always wanted the CJ card. It was Pam Anderson. And I went to an event the other day and I saw her. We got in the elevator together and she’d just gone back blonde. And I was like, ‘Oh, she’s back. Iconic blonde. I love a good blonde.” And I was like, “Yeah, it looks amazing.” And she’s like, “Oh, thank you so much.” And we sat next to each other at the table, actually, and we were having a conversation. I said, “I’d love to do your hair sometime.” And I never say that. She said, “Yeah.” I said, “I do hair. I don’t know if you know.” She’s like, “Oh, I know.” I think my imposter syndrome kicked in. But yeah, it’s so nice to be able to meet people like that. And I mean, she looks fabulous. I think she looks amazing anyway, but it’d definitely be fun to have a bit of a Pam glam session. Photo courtesy of Chris Appleton Your Roots Don’t Define You is out now. Scoop it up at Amazon for $30. topics: Chris Appleton, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, martha stewart, Pam Anderson, exclusive, Celebrity Hair, hair, New Book, Exclusive Interview, featured The Chicest Beauty Looks at the 2026 Golden Globes The Beauty & Wellness Benefits of Dry January: How a Month Off Alcohol Transforms Your Skin, Sleep, & Health Fashion Tips to End the Year with Strong Style — & Make Space for the New One 7 Dress Styles to Wear on New Year’s Eve That Are On-Trend But Not Overdone GRAZIA Travel Guide: Megève — Inside Les Fermes de Marie, Megève’s Most Luxury Storybook Stay This Winter GRAZIA Travel Guide: Munich — Why a Weekend Stay at Rosewood Munich is the Perfect Winter Holiday Destination

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