Tim Gunn Left 'Devastated' After Not Being Asked Back to Project Runway

Beloved Project Runway mentor Tim Gunn has been left out of the show's revival. The fashion consultant won't be joining forces with Heidi Klum when the series returns.

Gunn disclosed that he wasn’t extended an invitation to continue his role as mentor to the aspiring designers in the competition series. He revealed that he and Klum had been communicating via text messages about the show’s comeback, expressing his enthusiasm to return as co-host.

“So I called my agent and he knew things were going on, but he contacted the executive producers of this new show, and they said, ‘We don’t want him.’ And [my agent] said, ‘Well, he’s done 19 seasons of Runway, 16 with Heidi. The two of them won an Emmy together as hosts, and now you’re going to separate them?’ And they said yes,” Gunn said.

Gunn shared that his initial reaction was feeling “devastated, then kind of humiliated” about being excluded, but he eventually came to terms with the situation.

Reflecting on his experience, Gunn stated, “I thought, how lucky am I to have had the experiences that I’ve had over the last 20 years? This is phenomenal. I stopped the boohooing. I thought, it’s really throwing hubris in the face of an angry God to mourn not being on this new show. So I’ve come to terms with it.”

Project Runway originally aired from 2004 to 2017, featuring Klum as host and judge while Gunn served as mentor to the contestants. Together, they became the iconic faces of the franchise.

The absence of Tim Gunn is deeply concerning. Sources close to the production confirm he was a cornerstone of the show’s success. Industry insiders suggest this decision reflects a broader pattern where new executives—often unfamiliar with a show’s core appeal—implement changes that undermine its fundamental strengths.

“Tim Gunn’s departure represents a significant loss,” noted a veteran producer, expressing dismay at the decision to exclude such an integral figure from the series.