A Two-Episode Premiere! Who Went Home on ‘Project Runway’ Season 21 Tonight? originally appeared on Parade.
Project Runway Season 21’s first two episodes saw the contestants in every designer’s worst nightmare for the iconic design competition — two team challenges. The episodes, titled “New House/New Rules” and “Feel the Burn” saw host Heidi Klum divide the workroom into two teams, which caused some designers jostle to take a leadership role.
Mentor Christian Siriano was back in the workroom to offer the designers guidance and constructive feedback, while Law Roach and Nina Garcia returned to the Project Runway judges panel. No episode of Project Runway is complete without glam, and the hair and makeup team from Ulta was on hand to provide the extra sparkle to the designers’ looks.
Here’s our spoiler-filled recap of who went home in the two-episode Project Runway premiere tonight.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Who went home on the Project Runway Season 21 premiere tonight?
Caycee Black
In the first episode, from the losing team, Belania, Madeline and Joan were safe.
Caycee, Joseph and Antonio were in the bottom three.
Antonio’s response to being in the bottom three was, “Am I being Punk’d?” Heidi’s response was a simple, “No.” Law’s critique of Antonio’s design was especially pointed. “If you had asked ChatGPT to create a Giambattista Valli dress for $100, then that’s what that look was.”
“Do we send home the bad dress or the bad attitude?” Roach asked.
The harsh critique saw Antonio doubt himself, with the designer telling his fellow contestants, “I want to go home.’ Ultimately, however, Caycee was out – the second time she has been eliminated in the first Project Runway challenge.
Nobody!
During the second episode, Alex, Angelo, Madeline, Yuchan, Veejay and Ethan of House of Burn were the losing team. All of the designers loved Ethan’s look, but Roach had pointed out criticism for the designer. “I think you knew that you had a great look,” Roach told Ethan. “And you didn’t give a f—k about the other people on the team.”
Alex, Angela, and Veejay were at the bottom. Yuchen, Ethan and Madeline were safe.
The judges were confused by Veejay’s cocktail dress look, with Nina Garcia calling it “unwearable” as athleisure.
The eliminated designer will be revealed in Episode 3.
What were the challenges on Project Runway Season 21 tonight?
In the first episode, designers were divided into “House of Princesses” and “House of Villains.” Instructions were to create a cohesive collection fitting their namesakes. The second episode of Project Runway Season 21 saw designers creating a cohesive athletic collection that could be worn from workout to cocktails.
Related: Everything to Know About Project Runway Season 21
Who won the challenges on Project Runway Season 21 tonight?
“House of Villains” took home the prize in the first episode. “Your clothes really spoke to the challenge,” judge Law Roach told the team. “But also did it in a way that felt really modern that separated you from the other team.”
Ethan, Yuchen and Jesus were the top designs. Roach, however, had a strong opinion about Jesus’ design. “I hated it. She doesn’t look young. She looks like a Nigerian auntie.”
Ethan was ultimately named the winner.
Alex, Angelo and Veejay were safe.
In the second episode, Antonio, Joan, Joseph, Jesus and Belania from House of Lotus were the top team. Joseph, Belania and Jesus were in the top three, with Jesus named the winner. Alycia Scott, vice president and head designer of activewear company Calia announced the brand would produce and sell the winning design.
Who were the guest judges on Project Runway Season 21 tonight??
Mentor Christian Siriano was a judge for the first episode. And Sara Foster, actress and co-owner of Favorite Daughter, was a guest judge for the second episode.
Who is left this season on Project Runway Season 21?
Alex Foxworth
Angelo Rosa
Antonio Estrada
Belania Daley
Ethan Mundt AKA “Utica Queen”
Jesus Estrada
Joan Madison
Joseph McRae
Madeline Malenfant
Veejay Floresca
Yuchen Han
Related: Christian Siriano Reveals Why More Drag Queens Haven’t Been on ‘Project Runway’ (Exclusive)
A Two-Episode Premiere! Who Went Home on ‘Project Runway’ Season 21 Tonight? first appeared on Parade on Aug 1, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
