The reality competition television series “Project Runway” has been entertaining the nation since 2004.
However, the immense talent of the designers isn’t the only thing the show is known for.
Unhinged fights, emotional meltdowns, and super uncomfortable interactions have occurred on the regular.
While some moments are typical drama, other moments are unbearably hard to watch.
Here are some of the most awkward things we’ve witnessed on “Project Runway.”
Neasloney made a sly reference toKloss’s husband, Joshua Kushner, who is Jared Kushner’s brother.
“Tyler, don’t say that out loud!”
One contestant bemoaned while putting their head in their hands.
“That’s your husband,” Neasloney snarkily added without missing a beat.
Kloss responded by giving him an unamused glare.
“Keep it to the challenge,” she said.
So what I said earlier had no hidden agenda, no meaning, nothing like that."
His attempt of reconciliation was not effective, as he was afterwards eliminated from the show.
In a challenge where designers were assigned to make streetwear, conversations about race and cultural appropriation arose.
Designer Meg Ferguson praised fellow contestant, Prajje Oscar Jean-Baptiste, for using a black model for his look.
Jean-Baptiste then reported that her statements made him uncomfortable with their “white savior” implications.
With the vast majority of contestants agreeing with Barlis, Ferguson followed suit by storming off the set.
It was later learned that she dropped out of the show for mental health reasons.
“It looks like a debutante dress gone wrong.
Kinda like the trashy debutante in town in the red dress.
According toPopSugar, she is working as a costume designer as of 2019.
Despite this, Michael maintains his innocence, defending his name in an interview withPeople.
He claimed that the pattern books were the pop in that would not assist him on the show.
“I feel like there was a lack of integrity on behalf of the production.
I thought it was one-sided.
I think this whole thing is farfetched and crazy,” he exclaimed.
Surprisingly, Buitendorp confessed when mentor Tim Gunn directly asked her about the situation.
According to theLansing State Journal, Buitendorp later claimed that her possession of measuring tape was merely an accident.
However, in Season 8, contestant Michael Costello had one of the most upsetting breakdowns to this date.
Devastated by the rejection, Costello ran off the stage while heavily sobbing.
Even though he didn’t win, he seems to be making a successful name for himself.
When the group eventually lost the challenge, designer A.J.
Thouvenot was the one chosen to go home.
Gunn’s callous statement clearly resonated with many of the designers.
“Tim is kind of right in what he says.
In an attempt to defend herself, Jones responded, “I’m not a manipulative person.
And it really, really hurt my feelings to have Tim say that to me.
Because I just wanted to help,” she said while choking up (viaYouTube).
However, this decision did not come without backlash and controversy, especially from beloved mentor Tim Gunn.
This comment offended Klum and caused atemporary riftbetween the two.
“She was very upset,” Gunn said, according to theSalt Lake Tribune.
“She said, ‘I’m a mother.
I’m a citizen of my community.
And I want to go on record as saying I’m not a crack smoker.'”
Gunn then took responsibility for his remark, stating “I didn’t mean it literally.
It was my way of expressing how muddled I was by their decision making.”
This set McCarroll off, who then began to side with Saun as they ganged up on Pepper.
“You’re jealous.
Get a reality check, Wendy.
Everybody hates you,” he said.
Saun then viciously retorted, “You’re gonna need your soul one day, Wendy.
And you don’t have it.”
Unfortunately, she passed away from cancer at the age of 53 in 2017.
In real life, however, Pepper was the very opposite.
“Make it work!”
Rice quipped, owning Gunn’s signature catchphrase in an amusingly accurate tone.
Although Rice was clearly entertaining himself, some of the other designers felt somewhat uncomfortable.
“Oh my god, does Tim Gunn know about this joke between him and Andrae?”
said one concerned contestant.
Once informed about the ongoing joke, Gunn playfully confronted Rice.
“You’re doing a devastating impersonation.
And I want to hear it,” he said while the others howled with laughter in the background.
“You know it’s with love, Rice said, uneasy to Gunn’s reaction.
Gunn then responded, “I do know.
And I love you back,” clearly not taking the situation personally.
A seriously sensitive moment occurred in the third season, sparked by designer Jeffrey Sebelia during a challenge.
“It’s like a shock to me,” she remarked.
Once Gunn informs Sebelia of Darlene’s dissatisfaction, he responds defensively.
“I’m gonna make the dress I’m gonna make, I hope you like it.
If you don’t like it, there’s not a thing I can do about that.”
“Why am I being treated like this?”
“I don’t appreciate you even standing here,” Sebelia cruelly remarked.
“Do you talk to everybody like this?”
Darlene responded, clearly offended.
Backstage, Kelsar comforts her mother, who is on the brink of tears.
“I’m really insulted.
Nobody talks to me that way,” Darlene sighed.
A sympathetic Kelsar then remarked, “This is typical Jeffrey,” while embracing her.
“I would like to ask what people want from me.
That’s why I came to the show.
And I would like to understand,” Masmanidi said, (viaYouTube).
Masmanidi’s wish quickly came true, but not to his approval.
It looked like the walk of shame after an awards show,” Posen sharply commented, angering Masmanidi.
Masmanidi then promptly decides to storm off the set, aggressively removing his microphone.
He then reveals in an exit interview why he decided to walk away from the show at that moment.
in frustration (viaThe Washington Post).
This was a really exciting opportunity to do that and also connect with someone.”
In the 10th episode, contestants were assigned a non-model individual to design a garment for.
While the designers were working on their pieces, Gunn went around the room to critique the designs.
When he reached contestant Swapnil Shinde, he found that the wrap top was completely unfinished after several hours.
This revelation ignited Gunn’s exasperation, and he began to lecture Shinde.
With no room for excuses, Gunn continued to berate the competitor.
How does that make you feel?”
“What a bunch of bulls**t!
Bulls**t!
And I’m tired of hearing it.
I’m really just fed up!”
he declared in utter aggravation.
The entire room stared at the heated exchange in an awkward silence.
“Tim is emotionally invested into all of us.
And I feel like Tim thinks that Swapnil is just not taking this serious at all.
