Chris Appleton on Overcoming His Darkest Moment, Healing Shame & Finding Real Confidence

Real Pod

Dear Media

Athlete, Eating Disorder, Self Care, Real Talk, Athletes, Perfectionism, So Much To Say, Health & Fitness, Recovery, Education, Body Image, Self Help, Overcoming Eating Disorders, Self-improvement, Taylor Swift, Body Neutrality, Sports, Mental Health

4.8 • 3.4K Ratings

🗓️ 21 January 2026

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Celebrity hairstylist and author Chris Appleton joins Vic for a powerful conversation inspired by his new book, Your Roots Don’t Define You, about what happens when you finally live in alignment with who you truly are. Known for creating iconic looks for stars like Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian, Chris opens up about his journey of coming to terms with his sexuality later in life, raising two children, and overcoming his darkest moment. He shares how accepting himself changed everything, both personally and professionally, along with four simple questions you can ask yourself when you feel stuck, and a powerful reframe that turns envy into motivation. Plus, get Chris’ opinion on the side vs middle part debate and tips for healthy, hydrated hair! Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about self-acceptance and stepping into your truth.

Grab Chris’ new book, “Your Roots Don't Define You” at yourrootsdontdefineyou.com!

Follow Chris on TikTok @chrisappletonhair & Instagram @chrisappleton1

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The following podcast is a dear media production.
0:04.4	Welcome to RealPod. It's your host, Victoria Garrick Brown, and this is the podcast where we hold nothing back.
0:11.4	Oh, so we're getting deep, huh? I really cried for 12 days straight.
0:15.9	Why do I want to be perfect? There's nothing in my life that is perfect.
0:19.3	Every week, I'll bring you honest, unfiltered,
0:22.0	and eye-opening conversations to help uncover the real in all of us. I crave the type of content
0:27.5	that you're talking about. I actually felt insecure. Oh my God, I'm not going to cry. Let me just
0:31.8	unload everything. New episodes every Wednesday. Leave those filters at the door because it's time to get real.
0:44.7	Hello everybody and welcome back to RealPod. I'm so excited because today we have one of the most talented people in Hollywood, dare I say, in our midst.
0:57.2	And it's celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton.
1:01.0	He does the luscious locks of some of our favorite and most famous celebrities like Ariana Grande,
1:08.8	Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Chris Jenner, Dua Lipa.
1:12.9	He actually just did J-Lo for the Golden Globes, so he stays booked and busy.
1:17.2	Chris's book, Your Roots Don't Define You, just came out this month.
1:20.3	Definitely check it out.
1:21.3	Get it wherever you get your favorite books.
1:23.4	In this book, Chris opens up about hitting his breaking point, born from decades of shame,
1:28.4	fear, and the belief that being true to himself would hurt the people he loved the most.
1:33.0	And that is a lot of what we're going to talk about today because I was so moved by just Chris's
1:38.8	vulnerability to share his story in coming to terms with his sexuality.
1:46.8	He has two children. He was previously in a relationship with a woman for many years. And it wasn't until later in his life where he
1:52.3	really came to terms with and accepted the fact that he was a gay man and then was able to see
	...

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