Fashion icon and beloved mentor Tim Gunn is speaking out about his unexpected exit from Project Runway, and his words are turning heads. In a recent interview, Gunn revealed that he “wasn’t asked back” to the iconic reality show, leaving him feeling “kind of humiliated.”
Gunn, who became a household name as the guiding voice for aspiring designers on Project Runway, shared his disappointment about how his departure was handled. “It was a shock,” he admitted. “After 16 seasons, I thought I was part of the family. But apparently, that wasn’t the case.”
The show, which originally aired on Bravo before moving to Lifetime and then back to Bravo, underwent several changes over the years, including the departure of longtime host Heidi Klum. Gunn stayed on through the transitions, but when the series was rebooted in 2019 with Karlie Kloss as host and Christian Siriano as mentor, Gunn was noticeably absent.
“I wasn’t given a choice,” Gunn explained. “There was no conversation, no ‘thank you for your years of service.’ It was just… over. It felt like being ghosted by someone you thought cared about you.”
Fans of the show have expressed their support for Gunn on social media, with many calling out the producers for not giving him the recognition he deserves. “Tim Gunn is Project Runway,” one fan tweeted. “How do you just let him go without a proper goodbye?”
Despite the hurt, Gunn remains gracious. “I’m proud of what we built,” he said. “The show changed lives, including mine. But it’s time to move on.”
Since leaving Project Runway, Gunn has kept busy with other projects, including his own show, Making the Cut, alongside Heidi Klum on Amazon Prime. Still, his candid comments about his exit have sparked a larger conversation about how longtime TV personalities are treated behind the scenes.
As for Project Runway, the show continues with new faces, but for many fans, it will never be the same without Tim Gunn’s signature “Make it work” mantra.
What do you think about Tim Gunn’s revelation? Should he have been given a proper farewell? Let us know in the comments!