Lukas Gage Shades Ex Chris Appleton Over Timing of Competing Memoirs
Jordan Collins here. I guess I can simplify this for you: actor Lukas Gage publicly tossed shade at ex-husband Chris Appleton after Chris announced a self-help memoir set to release shortly after Lukas’ own book.
On Monday outside DOGPOUND Gym in West Hollywood, Lukas — who has a new memoir titled I Wrote This For Attention due in October — reacted to news that celebrity stylist Chris Appleton is releasing a self-help book called Your Roots Don’t Define You in January. According to eyewitness video and on-the-record comments captured by TMZ, Lukas said he did not know about Chris’ announcement but felt “honored” to be so “influential” given the close timing of their releases. He then conceded the timing might be “coincidental,” though his tone suggested otherwise.
This moment follows a pattern. TMZ’s reporting notes that Lukas and his team have privately expressed irritation about the scheduling, and Lukas previously made a comment about dating apps that seemed aimed at Chris before clarifying he meant no harm. The duo’s public drama traces back to their high-profile split: sources and court records show Chris, known for styling Kardashians, filed for divorce from Lukas in November 2023 after six months of marriage, with the divorce finalized in June 2024. That timeline adds context to why a back-to-back book release might feel pointed.
Let’s not pretend this is just a mild scheduling coincidence. Publishing is a strategic business; release dates are picked to maximize buzz, sales, and press cycles. Lukas’ memoir arrives in October, prime for a fall publicity surge and holiday gift shopping. Chris’ January release would land in a new-year self-improvement window, which is smart positioning for a self-help title. Still, when exes publish memoirs and motivational manifestos within months of one another, people notice.
When pressed by photographers, Lukas kept his distance from outright attacks and didn’t divulge whether Chris is name-checked in his forthcoming book. TMZ’s sources with direct knowledge said Lukas and members of his team are unhappy with the timing, suggesting there may be behind-the-scenes jockeying for media attention. Both men have publicly moved through the aftermath of their split, but this latest publishing tiff rekindles public interest without dredging up unverified claims.
For anyone keeping score: Chris Appleton is a celebrity hairstylist with strong industry ties and a new self-help title slated for January; Lukas Gage, an actor, has a memoir coming this October. The optics of release schedules and past public quips give the impression of a subtle feud, but on camera Lukas opted for sardonic distance rather than a sustained attack.
So what should you watch next? Keep an eye on preorders, excerpts, and interviews. If either book name-checks the other, that will be the moment gossip sites and late-night hosts have been waiting for. Until then, expect coy comments, passive-aggressive timing, and the occasional gym-side zinger.
Well, now you finally understand.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
