Tim Gunn calls not being asked to return for new Project Runway 'devastating at first': 'I wasn't...

Heidi Klum returned to host season 21 of the reality competition series — without Gunn. Tim Gunn calls not being asked to return for new Project Runway 'devastating at first': 'I wasn't invited to the party' Heidi Klum returned to host season 21 of the reality competition series — without Gunn. By Ryan Coleman :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RyanColemanauthorphoto0081ce8f0254478080f35972c433877b.jpg) Ryan Coleman Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books. EW's editorial guidelines February 19, 2026 7:34 p.m.

Heidi Klum returned to host season 21 of the reality competition series — without Gunn.

Tim Gunn calls not being asked to return for new Project Runway 'devastating at first': 'I wasn't invited to the party'

Heidi Klum returned to host season 21 of the reality competition series — without Gunn.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

EW's editorial guidelines

February 19, 2026 7:34 p.m. ET

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Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2013. Credit:

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

- Tim Gunn is getting candid about not being asked to return for *Project Runway *season 21.

- The fashion guru said on the *Dear Chelsea* podcast that it was "devastating at first" to be told by producers, "We don't want him."

- Host Heidi Klum returned for season 21 alongside judges Nina Garcia and Law Roach.

Go ahead and ask Tim Gunn why he won't appear on the new *Project Runway*, he'll be "perfectly transparent about it."

The fashion guru, who served as the designers' mentor on 16 seasons of the reality competition series, thought he'd be returning alongside host Heidi Klum for the show's 21st season after eight years away — but he "wasn't invited to return to the party," he told Chelsea Handler on Thursday's episode of the *Dear Chelsea* podcast.

"My agent called the producers to say, 'We understand Heidi [Klum] signed up. We haven't heard a thing about Tim,' and they said, 'We don't want him.'"

While the rejection was "devastating at first," Gunn said he's begun to look for the silver lining, accepting that "things happen for a reason."**

"I feel extremely lucky to have had 19 seasons of the show, 16 with Heidi," Gunn explained. Not to mention the "beautiful Emmy sitting on my kitchen counter."

He added that he has "no complaints. I feel very, very, very lucky."**

Tim Gunn reveals an unnamed supermodel and TV host told Heidi Klum to quit 'Project Runway'

'Project Runway' season 21 judges on Heidi Klum's return and 'spicy' new cast

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Gunn confirmed rumors last February that the most recent season of *Project Runway *would inexplicably bring Klum back without him.

"Heidi sent me a text saying, 'There's talk about bringing *Project Runway* back with us, with you and me, and would you do it?' And I said, 'Would I do it? Of course, there's not a moment of hesitation in me,'" he detailed.

But when Klum wrote back months later to see if he was happy with their contract, he informed her that he hadn't been sent one.

Gunn initiated a series of conversations with the new season's producers after learning of his exclusion. The result? An offer of "a small cameo in one episode."

He channeled Klum's famous line from the series to sum up his answer: "As Heidi would say, you're either in or you're out. And I'm out. So I wasn't asked to join."****

Tim Gunn for 'Project Runway'.

Virginia Sherwood/Bravo

The pair kicked the show off together in 2004, with the supermodel serving as the mistress of ceremonies and a judge, and Gunn following the designers back to their workroom to supervise the production, edit, and presentation of each week's looks.

They both left the show in 2017 for the Amazon Prime Video series *Making the Cut*, which they cohosted for three seasons. Karlie Kloss and former* *winner Christian Siriano took over in their stead as *Project Runway*'s new host and mentor.

The new season of the reality classic delivered another familiar face to viewers: Nina Garcia, who has remained on the judging panel since the show's first season. Celebrity stylist Law Roach stepped up from guest to main judge, with designers Michael Kors and Zac Posen returning as guest judges.

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Source: Reality

Published: February 20, 2026 at 11:57AM on Source: MARIO MAG

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