‘Project Runway’ Cast & Guest Judges Revealed: Sofía Vergara, Michael Kors & More to Appear

Freeform is bringing Project Runway back for its 21st season in 2025, and the show’s original star, Heidi Klum, is set to return to host alongside other famous names from the original series. She and cohost Tim Gunn left Project Runway in 2018 and launched a new fashion competition reality program, Prime Video‘s Making the Cut, in 2020. Gunn will not be back for the Project Runway revival. One of its most famous alums, Christian Siriano, is stepping into Gunn’s shoes as the contestants’ mentor.

Freeform announced the Project Runway Season 21 premiere date on Monday, May 19, in addition to unveiling the first teaser featuring Klum. She says, “I’m back, and it’s good to be home” in the video above. On June 11, the series revealed the Project Runway Season 21 cast and guest judges. The latter list includes an America’s Got Talent reunion with Klum and Sofía Vergara, a return from Michael Kors (a frequent guest star in the original series), with additional appearances from Tyra Banks, Nikki Glaser, Zac Posen, Mickey Guyton, and more. (See Vergara, Kors, Cowan, and Klum on set below.)

Here’s everything you need to know about the new iteration of Project Runway.

When does Project Runway Season 21 premiere?

Project Runway Season 21 premieres on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with a two-episode premiere starting at 9/8c on Freeform and available to stream shortly after on Disney+ and Hulu. Subsequent episodes will air weekly starting at 10/9c.

The season will consist of 10 episodes. The show is produced by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz from Alfred Street Industries.

Who is in the Project Runway 2025 cast?

Klum will host the show, with the original show’s biggest winner, Christian Siriano (who won Season 4), as a mentor for the contestants, a role previously held by Gunn. Nina Garcia will also return as a judge, and fashion designer and stylist Law Roach (famous for being Zendaya‘s stylist) is the new judge joining the team. Siriano, Garcia, and Roach’s castings were announced on Monday, March 24. Gunn told People in February that he and Klum were interested in having him return for the revival, but he was reportedly not offered a job on the show.

Project Runway commemorated the start of production, and Roach’s casting, in an Instagram video shared on March 24. See it in the embed, below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Project Runway (@projectrunway)

Here are the Project Runway Season 21 guest judges:

• Christian Cowan
• Harris Reed
• Jenna Lyons
• Joan Smalls
• Michael Kors
• Mickey Guyton
• Nikki Glaser
• Sara Foster
• Sofia Vergara
• Tyra Banks
• Zac Posen

The Project Runway Season 21 cast lineup includes alums from the previous iteration and a former contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Here’s the full list, complete with cast bios:

Alex Foxworth

Growing up in Greensboro, NC, sharp and opinionated designer, Alex Foxworth, is the juxtaposition of Southerner meets New Yorker. Inspired by her Japanese grandmother from Nagasaki, she incorporates traditional kimono techniques into timeless, mindful designs.

Angelo Rosa

A proud single dad and passionate streetwear designer from Providence, RI, Angelo Rosa fuses his Dominican heritage with his New York grit. His designs blend luxury streetwear with bold, edgy details that reflect his creativity and resilience.

Antonio Estrada

After designing alongside his twin, Jesus Estrada, Antonio Estrada is ready to own his voice as a designer and put the spotlight on his own intuitive couture. Born in Mexico and raised in California, Antonio is a self-taught designer known for his bold, versatile designs that blend glamour with a touch of playful rebellion.

Belania Daley

Known for her fearless and feisty personality, Belania Daley, elevated streetwear designer, is ready to put her signature pattern-mixing and color-blocking designs into the spotlight. Growing up on Long Island, Belania learned how to sew at the age of 13 and has since honed impressive technical skills.

Caycee Black

Project Runway Season 19 alum and Houston, TX native Caycee Black, returns and is bringing her out-of-this-world designs back to the runway. Caycee is known for her hand-painted prints, gender fluid designs, and love for breaking traditions in the chicest way possible.

Ethan Mundt “Utica Queen”

Known as RuPaul’s Drag Race legend “Utica Queen,” Ethan Mundt is now bringing his fierce fusion of high fashion, avant-garde artistry, and theatrical storytelling to Project Runway. He aims to bring drama, sophistication, and a touch of surrealism to everything he creates.

Jesus Estrada

Project Runway Season 7 alum, Jesus Estrada, is back, alongside his twin brother Antonio, to reclaim his narrative and show the world the designer he’s become. Born in Mexico and raised in California, Jesus Estrada is a charismatic designer known for vibrant queer designs that blend old Hollywood Glamour with a modern edge.

Joan Madison

A vibrant and high-energy designer from Queens, NY, Joan Madison brings optimism, creativity and bling to everything she touches. Known for her big, dramatic designs and theatrical style, she’s ready to make her dreams come true.

Joseph McRae

Charlotte, NC native Joseph McRae is a self-taught designer and electrical engineer known for his southern charm and sass. After leaving his 13-year job, Joseph is now betting on himself and bringing his bold, boundary-breaking designs to the runway.

Madeline Malenfant

Vintage and period-piece obsessed designer, Madeline Malenfant, grew up on Nantucket and always dreamt of being a fashion designer. Deeply inspired by the Renaissance period, her unique historical design style blends era-esque silhouettes with a modern twist.

Veejay Floresca

A fearless designer and proud trans woman from the Philippines, Veejay Floresca is known for her fiercely competitive and unapologetic personality along with her aesthetic that combines modernity, wearability, and art.

Yuchen Han

Originally from Xining, China, Yuchen Han is an ambitious and authentic designer on a personal mission to empower others through his futuristic and enlightenment-focused designs. Often finding inspiration from sci-fi films, Yuchen is obsessed with Aliens and fiercely owns who he is.

The original series previously aired on Bravo and was hosted by Klum. Its later All-Stars iteration had Siriano, who got his start on the competition show, as host. Gunn was an original fixture of the show but didn’t return for the reboot on Bravo. Garcia was a judge for both versions. Brandon Maxwell and Elaine Welteroth also judged. Karlie Kloss executive produced and made onscreen appearances.

The long-standing series has had a profound effect on the fashion industry, launching the careers of prolific designers, including Siriano, Austin Scarlett, Leanne Marshall, Irina Shabayeva, Michael Costello, and Bishme Cromartie, among many others.

Project Runway is produced by Spyglass Media Group and Alfred Street Industries. Gary Barber serves as executive producer for Spyglass. Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz, Dan Volpe, and Nan Strait serve as executive producers for Alfred Street Industries.

“Project Runway is an iconic television juggernaut that perfectly complements the pop-culture spirit at Freeform,” said Simran Sethi, president, scripted programming, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment. “We are excited to welcome the original series to the Disney family and reignite the fanbase alongside Spyglass and Alfred Street, giving viewers the chance to once again share in discovering the next generation of exceptionally talented fashion designers.”

Gary Barber, chairman and CEO of Spyglass, said, “For 20 seasons, Project Runway has captured viewers’ attention and cultivated a loyal following. The series has proven to be a valuable and enduring brand worldwide, and we could not be more excited to broaden the show’s breadth of viewership within the Freeform, Hulu and Disney+ ecosystem.”

“It is exciting and inspiring to have the opportunity to guide the evolution of Project Runway for a new generation,” said Cutforth. As Lipsitz added, “The challenge to stay relevant while the world is changing at lightning speed makes us eager to not only honor our die-hard Project Runway fans but also to introduce fresh and innovative ideas.”

Stay tuned here as we continue to report the show’s latest developments.

Project Runway, Two-Part Season 21 Premiere, Thursday, July 31, 9/8c, Freeform (Regular Time Period Premiere, Thursday, August 7, 10/9c)