Another week, another episode of Project Runway Season 21 to watch. This episode officially marks the half-way point of the season.
Season 21 has been getting a lot of attention. The designers have got online applause, and their looks are getting social media buzz. There’s been some not-so-pleasant reviews for the season, though, mainly because of main judge Law Roach. Some find his critiques to be way too harsh. And if viewers haven’t liked his comments so far, they are going to hate this episode.
A sequel to a previous challenge ensues
The episode starts and the elimination from the previous ep resumes. Despite this being a solo challenge, it’s the group of the safe six designers who had to come together and choose who to send home.
They all wrote down their picks on cards and Law read them off one by one. Wow, this really is Survivor. As a reminder, those in the bottom three are (Antonio Estrada, Joan Madison, and JosephMcrae. Each one of them gets at least one elimination vote, but JosephMcrae gets three. And, because this is the majority, he is out of the competition.
It’s an emotional exit, but the designers have to wipe away their tears fast because Christian Siriano has their next challenge. This is part two to the unconventional challenge. The contestants have to make a runway-ready look directly inspired by their previously made look. This time, instead of random materials, it has to be made through fabric instead. And the best part? Both looks will walk down the runway together.
It’s time to sketch and the Estrada twins debate is still here. Veejay Floresca is still upset that they continue to work together. So much so, that she proposes a challenge: no help, period. She doesn’t want either one of them to help each other at all. Both Antonio and Jesus agree to this. But, almost instantly, they begin helping each other while shopping for their looks. Yep…they aren’t doing well to prove their independence.
These designers are feeling the pressure
These one-day turnaround challenges seem to be taking a toll on these designers.
Jesus, for starters, is feeling completely burned out. He breaks down and Antonio is concerned for his wellbeing.
Joan is also struggling, but her journey is enough keep her motivated.
She revealed that she was actually cast to be on Project Runway back in 2020. Around the same time she was also diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of her treatment schedule, she was unable to compete in that season. 5 years later, she’s finally reunited with her Project Runway spot. Plus, she is happy to report that she is 4 years cancer free.
“This is more than just a competition to me. This is a full-circle moment. To win Project Runway would be such a validation. I wanna show that I can be an inspiration to so many women out there. That there is life after, you know, being diagnosed,” she says.
Unexpectedly, a producer appears in the work room and approaches designer Belania Daley. He informs her that her model has called in sick. There’s a backup, but of course, they are multiple sizes smaller than her initial model. Meaning, she has to now resize her piece in a short turnaround time (three hours to be exact).
A critic, an editor, … and a housewife?
The runway is about to start and the judges panel are introduced. Law is back, as well as Elle Editor-In-Chief Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum. Also joining them is former Real Housewives of New York star Jenna Lyons.
Anyways, the runway comes and goes, and most designers are proud of their looks. Ethan, Veejay, and Jesus are in the Top 3 for their well-deserved outfits.
Jesus’s look gives rave reviews, especially from Law. This is pretty shocking comments given their riff last episode.
However, the table turns when Nina brings up a particular note. On the back of his gown is a red stripe, which is eerily familiar (aka exact replica) to the red stripe Ethan put on his athleisure jumpsuit a few weeks ago. She even went as far as putting the word “plagiarism” out there. Yikes.
Ethan only gets one edit on this look, and in the eyes of the judges panel, Veejay’s jumpsuit is flawless. She wins the challenge, which is her first solo win of the season.
Cut to the Bottom 3, who are Antonio, Belania, and Madeline Malenfant.
The judges get to Belania and she is in a mood. After the model-sizing conflict, her body language is completely out of character. The panel notices this, with law calling her “really rude” and “dismisses”. Her look also gets critique, with Jenna dubbing it “a literal prom dress”.
The others don’t escape the roasting either. Heidi compares Madeline’s skirt to “a napkin” and Law calls Antonio’s two-piece a great “stripper costume”.
This is truly anyone’s challenge to be sent home for.
Project Runway airs every Thursday on Freeform, and is available to stream the next day on Hulu.
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