Kim Kardashian gave her longtime hairstylist Chris Appleton a dramatic buzzcut as he gears up for his appearance on the upcoming season of "Strictly Come Dancing." The impromptu makeover was shared on a TikTok video, with Kardashian taking the clippers to Appleton's hair.
Appleton, who has worked with Kardashian for a decade, humorously cautioned her during the haircut, noting how close the clippers came to his scalp. Kardashian expressed satisfaction with her handiwork, stating, "I think I did a pretty good job. I'm proud of myself." Appleton agreed, offering a critique, "Good work. This side needs a little bit more of a trim but I think that's good." He later captioned the post, "Buzzed by Kim …. confidence she had with those clippers."
Fans reacted enthusiastically to the video, with comments such as "This is iconic" and "the best duo." Appleton, a globally recognized hairstylist, is best known for his work with Kardashian and has styled other celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Sofía Vergara, Ariana Grande, and Katy Perry. He recently achieved a New York Times Best Seller status for his memoir, "Your Roots Don't Define You."
Appleton, originally from Leicester, England, moved to Los Angeles in 2015 to advance his career. His professional achievements include being named a "Hair Star" by Vogue UK, with his work featured in major publications like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair.
"I'm thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience," Appleton said about joining the show. "I've always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can't wait to get started."
"Strictly Come Dancing" is set to return to screens later this year. The BBC has reportedly adopted a casting strategy for the 22-year-old series, aiming to attract younger viewers by selecting celebrities with large social media followings. This approach mirrors a successful strategy used by its U.S. counterpart, "Dancing With the Stars."
An insider suggested that while some traditional viewers might not recognize all the new cast members, the strategy prioritizes engaging new audiences. "Their followers are vast in numbers, enthusiastic and, by sharing content on Strictly, raise the profile of the show massively," the source revealed. "And, in time, the viewers who don't know these people get to know them. If anything they end up going on much more of a 'Strictly Journey' than the stars you'd describe as 'household names.'"
Appleton, with 4 million followers on Instagram, fits this strategy despite not being a traditional "household name." He will compete against a lineup that includes other notable figures such as Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, and Dame Sarah Storey.