Chris Appleton Lands Baywatch Revival Role After Social Media Audition

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton is now part of the action on the set of Baywatch. The 42-year-old, known for styling everyone from Kim Kardashian to Jennifer Lopez to Dua Lipa, was spotted on Wednesday, May 13, filming scenes for the upcoming revival of the iconic series in Los Angeles.

Appleton appeared shirtless during filming, displaying his fitness regimen in jeans and Calvin Klein underwear while holding a script between takes. His specific role in the series has not yet been announced.

The path to this role began in mid-March when Appleton posted beach photos of himself in a Speedo, captioning the post: "This is my Baywatch audition @baywatchtv." The gambit worked when Joseph McGinty Nichol, the show's executive producer, replied in the comments: "You're hired."

The revival centers on Hobie Buchannon, played by Stephen Amell, who has become a Baywatch captain and follows in the footsteps of his father, Mitch. The story unfolds when Charlie, his previously unknown daughter, arrives wanting to join the lifeguard ranks and carry on the family tradition. Cody Madison, the original heartthrob character, now operates The Shoreline, the unofficial Baywatch bar-and-grill, and still participates in rescue operations while mentoring the new generation of lifeguards.

The series is set to premiere during the 2026-2027 season on Fox, following a 12-episode order placed in September 2025.

Appleton shares two adult children with former partner Kate Katon—daughter Kitty-Blu, 21, and son Billy, 23. He came out as gay at age 26 after previously dating Katon.