After the finale of “Project Runway” Season 20 aired in April 2023, fans were left to wait for more than a year before the long-running fashion design competition series officially announced that Season 21 was in the works in October 2024. A few months later, The Hollywood Reporter also announced that “Project Runway” would be leaving Bravo, its home network since 2017, and moving to Freeform for the upcoming season.
On June 11, the first promo video for Season 21 was released, revealing which designers would be competing as well as which celebrities and fashion icons would be appearing on the judging panel. The video similarly confirmed that the season would make its Freeform debut with a two-episode premiere on Thursday, July 31 at 9:00pm ET.
An official trailer for the season followed on July 1, showing sneak-peek footage of contestants sweating over sewing machines in the workroom, rushing to get models to the runway, and receiving critiques – both good and bad – from the judges. Other highlights from the trailer included a runway lined with real flames, a guest appearance from the cast of “Abbott Elementary,” and plenty of drama between designers.
With just weeks left until its premiere, here’s everything you need to know about “Project Runway” Season 21.
Who are the Hosts of ‘Project Runway’ Season 21?
GettyFresh off an eight-year hiatus from the show, US Weekly confirmed that Heidi Klum would be returning to host “Project Runway” Season 21 in January 2024. Though Klum served as the show’s host for its first 16 seasons, she handed the reins over to supermodel Karlie Kloss for Season 17 and 18.
For its two most-recent seasons, Season 4 winner Christian Siriano, who has served as a mentor to competing designers since 2018, took over the role following Kloss’ exit. Sirano played double-duty on the duo of seasons, acting as both host and mentor.
Who Will be the Mentor for ‘Project Runway’ Season 21?
GettyThe promo for Season 21 confirmed that Christian Sirano would be returning to mentor the season’s designers in the work room. After winning Season 4 of “Project Runway” at just 21 years old, Sirano joined the show as a mentor following Tim Gunn’s exit ahead of Season 17.
As a former contestant himself, Siriano will be able to relate to the struggles of this season’s designers, as well as offering them advice from a past winner and a successful designer who has crafted outfits for stars like Ashley Graham, Angela Bassett, Kelly Ripa and Kate Hudson.
Who Will Join the ‘Project Runway’ Season 21 Judges Panel?
GettyJoining host Heidi Klum on the judges panel this season are “ELLE” Editor in Chief, Nina Garcia, and celebrity stylist Law Roach.
Garcia has been a “Project Runway” mainstay since its original season debuted in 2004, while Roach, in addition to dressing A-list celebrities like Zendaya, Celine Dion, Tom Holland and Anne Hathway, has also served as a judge on reality competition series like “Legendary” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
The judges panel will also receive input from special guests including high-profile designers, fashion icons and stylish supermodels. The star-studded list of guest judges for Season 21 includes names like Christian Cowan, Harris Reed, Jenna Lyons, Joan Small, Michael Kors, Mickey Guyton, Nikki Glaser, Sara Foster, Sofia Vergara, Tyra Banks and Zac Posen.
Who Will Compete on ‘Project Runway’ Season 21?
The official cast for Season 21 was officially announced on June 11, revealing that new designers, “Project Runway” alums, and even a former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant would be competing.
Here’s the full cast list for “Project Runway” Season 21:
- Madeline Malenfant – Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Ethan Mundt – Utica, Missouri (a.k.a. Utica from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 13)
- Jesus Estrada – San Diego, California (“Project Runway” Season 7 alum)
- Antonio Estrada – San Diego, California (Jesus’s twin brother)
- Yuchen Han – New York, New York
- Veejay Floresca – Los Angeles, California
- Belania Daley – Brooklyn, New York
- Joan Madison – Columbus, Ohio
- Angelo Rosa – Providence, Rhode Island
- Caycee Black – Houston, Texas (“Project Runway” Season 19 alum)
- Alex Foxworth – New York, New York
- Joseph McRae – Charlotte, North Carolina
How to Watch ‘Project Runway’ Season 21?
Fans can catch the two-episode premiere of “Project Runway” Season 21, on its new home at Freeform, on Thursday, July 31 at 9:00pm ET. New episodes will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ the day after they debut on Freeform.
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Everything to Know About ‘Project Runway’ Season 21