We are nearing the end of Project Runway Season 21. Specifically, this exciting season is down to our final few designers. There’s still no clear indicator of who is going to take the coveted win home.
Last week’s episode left off with a shocking cliffhanger. Heidi Klum announced that the Bottom 2 of the challenge were both being sent home. In the season’s double elimination, the group went from the last five to the finale three … or did it?
A fake out that changes the outcome of the season
The episode begins with the last episode’s elimination, as always. Belania and Jesus are at a loss for words at the mention of the double knockout. They begin to handle their exits gracefully, until Heidi unexpectedly stops them in their tracks. She reveals that someone not a part of the judges panel vetoed the decision. Out walks Chrisitan Siriano, the hero of the day. He shares that he convinced the judges that not only should there be no double elimination, but that there’s no elimination at all. Yep, you heard right, Belania and Jesus are still in the competition!
They breathe a sigh of relief, but a double elimination is not off the table. In fact, Heidi introduces that for this next challenge, two designers will be given the boot. The three contestants left standing will advance to the finale.
What is the challenge, you ask? Well, two superstars answered that question. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo appeared on a screen, and the designers went wild. The actresses then introduced Wicked’s costume designer Paul Tazewell, who showed up in-person.
For this two-day challenge (finally!), the designers have to make an avant garde look. Their designs also have to be inspired by the upcoming film, Wicked: For Good.
The designers are standing out … and staying the same
Naturally, with a Wicked theme, almost everyone decides to use green or pink. But, Veejay is seen buying nothing but red fabric. Kind of a bold choice when red has nothing to do with the film, but she’s confident. But, she has a strong emotion with the characters and wants to follow her heart and intuition.
“Setting myself apart from other designers is a strategy that I’ve used for the entire competition because you need to have a unique point of view,” she defends.
Speaking of hearts, Jesus and Antonio have included green and pink hearts on their looks. Not only do they represent the bond between Elphaba and Glinda, but their undeniable brotherhood. Someone get the tissues, please.
Everyone seems confident, but Ethan is worried. He’s doing a covered look that looks a little similar to his first challenge win from the first episode. It’s got the same exact embedded gloves. And, to make it even more synonymous, he was given the same model from that OG runway. Will the judges notice?
The judges panel is not holding back this time
It’s runway time and the returning judges are Heidi, as well as Law Roach and Nina Garcia. Joining them in the panel for the first time this season is fashion icon Tyra Banks.
The looks come down the catwalk and the feedback begins instantly. Instantly the panel are obsessed with Jesus’ green bejeweled look Even Nina and Law fight over who is going to get it first.
Antonio’s dress doesn’t receive the same sentiment. Law calls the back of his gown “a disaster” and Nina compares it to “a bad piñata”.
With Veejay’s bright red look, the judges all agreed it didn’t follow the theme. Tyra dubbed it “a huge miss” for forgoing the pink and green aesthetic.
Ethan’s sheer gown was divided among the group. Tyra was “blown away” from the finished project, but Law wasn’t having it. His main critique was the model’s nude underwear showing in the see-through portion. Nevertheless, no one seemed to notice its similarity to the first runway.
Last but not least, there’s Belania and her nature-inspired look. Nina calls the design safe, which instantly triggers her. The designer’s attitude, which has been referenced before, came back full fledged. She countered everything Nina had to say, until Law finally had enough. And with Tyra banks right there, he had to make an important America’s Next Top Model reference.
“Belania, be quiet. I have never yelled at a girl like this before. I was rooting for you! We were all rooting for you,” he mimicked.
Are the designers choosing their own fate?
Before the designers are sent away, Heidi asks Antonio an important question: If he would advance to the finale, who would he want to be by his side? Obviously, he names Jesus, but he also shouts out Ethan. Belania is asked the same, and she chooses the Estrada twins. Ethan seconds her, also naming the twins.
Veejay doesn’t want the twins in the finale (shocker) and wants Belania and Ethan in the Top 3 with her. But, she arguably takes it too far with her reasoning. She shares that “they need the money” more than the twins too. Uh oh.
She also suggests that Jesus and Antonio haven’t been kind all season, which Jesus refutes on stage.
“You were starting drama with everyone in this competition and you know that. So don’t stand right here and act like you are the innocent girl,” he quips.
Law chimes in with a question of his own, asking Jesus who’s the more talented twin. He declines to answer, but Antonio admits that he thinks that his brother is better.
The line of questioning is over, but once the designers go backstage, a season-long feud hits a breaking point. The twins and Veejay continue going at it, which causes a producer to intervene. Antonio gets fed up with it all, and storms out. Despite Jesus trying to calm him down, the cameras follow him walking with his bags all the way to a car outside. The last thing we hear from him is “I’m going home.”
Project Runway airs every Thursday at 10 PM/ET on Freeform, and is available to stream the next day on Hulu.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK ANTONIO IS GOING TO SELF-ELIMINATE FROM THE COMPETITION?
