Heidi Klum to Return to 'Project Runway' as Host and Judge

Forget “Auf wiedersehn,” it’s time to say “Guten tag” to Heidi Klum once more on Project Runway. As exclusively announced by People, the supermodel is set to make a return to the Emmy-winning design series for the upcoming Season 21, after seven years away from the show.

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Klum served as one of the faces of Project Runway from its December 2004 debut on the reality TV main stage through Season 16. In addition to being the emcee, she also sat as one of the judges alongside Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, using her fashion experience to help adjudicate the designer contestants looking for their big break. For her work on Project Runway, Klum and series mentor Tim Gunn were co-nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program six times, winning once in 2013.

In 2018, Project Runway had been looking to move from its current network on Lifetime back to Bravo, where the series had debuted. Klum and Gunn were both feeling that the show needed a creative spark at that time, but, as she told The Hollywood Reporter in 2020, “Our imagination was bigger than what we were allowed to do.” The two were presented with a choice: Stick with the “same old same old” of the return to Bravo, or take a different turn on the runway and strike out on their own.

Related: Heidi Klum Nearly Bares It All While Revealing a Holiday ‘Tradition’ in New Video

They chose the latter, becoming the co-creators, executive producers, and hosts of Making the Cut. The series, which aired on Amazon Prime Video from 2020 to 2022, was similarly structured to Project Runway, featuring the additional elements of being able to purchase the outfits seen on the show directly from Amazon. Klum has also served as a judge on America’s Got Talent for eleven seasons, including five years straight from 2020 to present day.

Project Runway, meanwhile, filled Klum’s spot with supermodel Karlie Kloss for two seasons. Kloss then departed after Season 18, and the show gave hosting duty to Season 4 winner Christian Siriano. The superstar designer had already been serving as mentor for the series, occupying Gunn’s role following his departure. Siriano continued to host through the most-recently aired edtion, an “all-stars” edition to commemorate 20 seasons (not to be confused with the spinoff Project Runway All Stars, which aired from 2012 to 2019).

Related: Project Runway Winners: Where Are They Now?

In October 2024, it was announced that Project Runway would be undergoing some radical shifts moving forward. The series would be changing homes, airing on Freeform. This marks the third change in networks for the show, having previously gone from Bravo to Lifetime back to Bravo. Season 21 will have a shorter episode count, spanning only 10 weeks total. The producers of Project Runway said in a statement that the Freeform version would be made “for a new generation,” featuring new and innovative ideas.

No further news has been announced about Project Runway‘s judges or premiere date for Season 21. It’s also unknown as to whether Klum’s new role will affect her spot on America’s Got Talent‘s upcoming 20th season, given the shows are now under two different networks. But, for diehard fans of the fashion series, it’s great to see that Klum is “in” again!

Related: Heidi Klum Issues a Direct Response to Critics of Lingerie Photoshoots With Daughter Leni