Chris Appleton is a world-renowned celebrity hairstylist who regularly works with stars like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, but he’s also a devoted dad of two.
Appleton started working in a hair salon in Leicester, England, when he was 13, which is where he met his former partner Katie Katon, per Bustle. They welcomed their first child together, Billy, in 2002, and then expanded their family two years later with daughter Kitty-blu.
When Appleton was 26, he came out as gay. Speaking with Gay Times in August 2019, the hairstylist shared that before he opened up about his personal life publicly, he made sure to discuss the matter with his children.
“Some people know straight away, I didn’t and it took me a minute to understand that and accept that and then come out,” he said. “It was also really important to me that the kids were comfortable before I expressed that. That they understood and were in a good place. It was just time. Everybody has their story and mine was later on.”
Appleton has a very close bond with both of his children. In September 2021, Billy and Kitty-blu presented their dad with the Fitness Achievement Award at the Hollywood Beauty Awards.
“Bursting with pride & couldn’t be happier that Billy & Kitty-Blu presented me with a fitness achievement award at the @hollywoodbeautyawards today,” Appleton wrote on Instagram. “Not the only two people in the world that make me look short lol, it was a serious proud dad moment. Love you 2 more than you know.”
Here’s everything to know about Chris Appleton’s kids: Billy and Kitty-blu.
Billy Appleton, 21
Appleton and Katon welcomed their first child together, Billy Appleton, on Dec. 1, 2002.
Billy is a student at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and is studying economics, per his LinkedIn. He grew up in England but moved to Los Angeles when he was 18, where he took a gap year before enrolling at LMU. Billy also previously worked as a marketing consultant for Prince Marketing Group, a sports and entertainment marketing agency, from 2021 to 2022.
In December 2021, Billy shared a photo of himself with former basketball players Jerry West and Magic Johnson at a work event. “Great experience last night working with NBA legends @magicjohnson and Jerry West💫🏀,” he wrote in the caption.
Billy also appears to be an avid sports fan. He posted about his first time at a Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena in October 2021 and, just a few months later, attended his first hockey game at the same venue.
Though Billy generally stays out of the spotlight, he can occasionally be spotted on Appleton’s Instagram. The pair frequently attend workouts together and go on family trips, including visits to Aspen, Colorado.
In December 2021, Appleton gave a sweet shout-out to his son for his 19th birthday. “Everyone wish @billyappz a happy birthday🎂 i can not believe he is 19 today! I love you bill ❤️,” he wrote.
Kitty-blu Appleton, 19
Appleton and Katon welcomed their second child, Kitty-blu Appleton, on Nov. 3, 2004. While she has a unique moniker, Kitty-blu revealed in a TikTok video that her parents almost named her Kimberly.
At 17, Kitty-blu moved from England to L.A. to live with her dad and pursue a career as a makeup artist. In March 2022, she did a joint interview with Appleton for Allure and opened up about how while her dad inspires her, she wanted to build her own career and not just be known “as Chris Appleton’s daughter.”
“I was always that girl with my hair done and a full face of makeup. Because of social media, everyone at school was like, ‘Oh, can you get your dad to do my hair?’ I was like, ‘No!’ ” she said. “Makeup was my hobby and passion. It was my escape from school. I hated math and English.”
After moving to L.A., Kitty-blu attended cosmetology school at Make-Up Designory in Burbank. However, she revealed in a TikTok video in December 2022 that while she “loves makeup and beauty” and attending cosmetology school “was one of the best experiences,” she ultimately decided not to become a makeup artist.
In November 2022, Kitty-blu celebrated her 18th birthday with an all-pink bash. “Happy 18th birthday Kitty-Blu. I’ve watched you grow from a baby to a beautiful young woman, and I couldn’t be any prouder of you than I am today. I Love you,” Appleton wrote in a sweet post on Instagram.
Appleton and Kitty-blu attended Alix Earle’s Halloween party together in October 2024. Their father-daughter costume was inspired by Beetlejuice — Appleton channeled Michael Keaton as the titular villain and Kitty-blu dressed up as Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz.
Source: People
