Project Runway's Keith: I Didn't Cheat (2024)

The designer, busted for having pattern books, says, "I am not owning up to this"

Updated on December 8, 2020 02:33 PM

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The first-ever designer to be kicked off Bravo’s Project Runway for breaking the rules has spoken out about his ouster – and he thinks he got a raw deal.

Brooklyn, N.Y., native Keith Michael, 34, was asked to leave because he had pattern-making books in his room – a violation of the contest’s rules – and at one point had gone AWOL from the production.

The freelance designer tells Bravo senior vice president of production and programming Andy Cohen, who writes a blog on bravotv.com, “I am not the kind of person who can’t admit when he’s wrong. I feel like there was a lack of integrity on behalf of the production. I thought it was one-sided.”

He doesn’t deny he had the books – only that he used them to cheat. “These pattern books were not the kind that you would be able to use for practical purposes on the show,” he says.

“One of the books was the most detailed pattern book you would ever see about menswear that had nothing to do with anything on the show. I brought it because I was working on my menswear line at the time. And the other was a dictionary of production terms.”

As for what he did during his four-hour unauthorized leave from production, Michael tells Cohen, “All I did was I went to my boyfriend’s apartment, found his spare key, found an e-mail from the executive producer and asked him to contact me. I don’t know what to say – that’s the deal.”

Michael says that at least one Project Runway contestant is on his side: Fellow Brooklyn native Alison Kelly. “Alison is very supportive of me. She was very confused because she liked me very much. It seemed like the evidence against me was heavy and she didn’t know what to feel.”

“I think this whole thing is farfetched and crazy,” he continues. “I have gotten so much fan e-mail from this whole thing. People want me to be the bad boy, but I am not that guy. I thought I would win because of talent, but now I don’t know who’s to blame but I am not owning up to this.”

Michael also addresses Internet rumors that the sketches he’d presented at his audition were in fact drawings from other designers’ runway shows. The sketches, he says, were part of a trend report he’d presented to a client as an overview of the latest styles.

“I work for a lot of huge fashion companies and do trend reports for a lot of them and people pay me for that information to review what’s going on in fashion,” he says.

What’s next for the designer? “I am focusing on getting a showroom to represent me,” he says. “I need cash behind me to do what I want. Getting the funding that I need will hopefully let me show in September.”

And he’s confident he’ll get the funding even without Project Runway’s $100,000 prize. “I was hoping to win,” he says. “But I will figure out another way of doing it. There’s a few ways to skin a cat, right?”

To join our online discussion of Project Runway, click here.

Project Runway's Keith: I Didn't Cheat (2024)

FAQs

Why did Keith get kicked off Project Runway? ›

Brooklyn, N.Y., native Keith Michael, 34, was asked to leave because he had pattern-making books in his room – a violation of the contest's rules – and at one point had gone AWOL from the production.

Who is the most famous Project Runway winner? ›

Easily the most successful "Project Runway" alum, Christian Siriano was 21 when he first joined the show and wowed the judges with his designs.

How much do Project Runway contestants get paid? ›

Runway doesn't pay the contestants, and many must quit their jobs to be on the show. The winner may get a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, a new car, $50,000 in design software, and $100,000 in seed money to start a new clothing line, but not a cent for groceries.

What happened to Jeffrey from Project Runway? ›

Jeffrey Sebelia, Season 3

He was named head designer of Fluxus in 2010 and later left the position to start a punk-inspired kids' fashion line, La Miniatura.

Why did Heidi Klum Quit Project Runway? ›

Heidi Klum and Gunn left "Project Runway" after 16 seasons because they said they were being held back creatively. In 2018, host Heidi Klum and mentor Gunn chose to leave "Project Runway" together to create a new design competition show with Amazon called "Making the Cut."

What did mychael Knight died from? ›

Who is the youngest winner of Project Runway? ›

Christian Vincent Siriano (born November 18, 1985) is an American fashion designer and member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Siriano first gained attention after winning the fourth season of American design competition show Project Runway in 2007, becoming the series' youngest winner.

Is Tim Gunn in a relationship? ›

At age 66, Tim Gunn has been single since he was a young man

Gunn also talked about this devastating relationship experience back in 2012, on an episode of the former talk show The Revolution.

Why did Michael Kors leave Project Runway? ›

The New York native stepped away from the series due to the demands of his fashion empire. In a statement from Lifetime, which aired the show from 2009 to 2017, the network confirmed that Michael was simply too busy in his role as chief creative officer for his brand to serve as a full-time judge.

How much did Heidi Klum make Project Runway? ›

Tim Gunn wasn't paid for 'Project Runway' Season 1

According to The List, Klum, who also hosted the show, earned “maybe $1.3 million a year as host and $350,000 as executive producer” in 2008. Eventually, Gunn started working with an agent, which made his pay skyrocket.

Do models get paid to walk runways? ›

You could earn between $200–$1,000, or, instead of payment, get to keep some clothing from the show. Gabriela Pierantoni, the owner of Corestone Models, says experienced runway models could earn $500–$2,500 per show. Supermodels, on the other hand, could make up to $20,000 for a runway show.

Are Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia friends? ›

Heidi Klum

“​​My friend Nina's name has deservedly become synonymous with elegance and style. Her stellar reputation in the industry is only overshadowed by her impeccable taste and generous spirit. Nina's impact on the fashion industry is immeasurable.

Why did Andrea Katz leave Project Runway? ›

Andrea Katz (Season 10, 2012)

Producers went to her home, and her doorman said she was upstairs but didn't want to see anyone.” Why she left: Supposedly, she was paranoid after being named one of the bottom three contestants on the previous challenge. Eliminated designer Raul Osorio was allowed to rejoin the show.

Why did Meg Ferguson leave Project Runway? ›

Citing the “intensity of the competition,” Ferguson then decided to leave the show for the sake of her mental health. Jean-Baptiste went on to win the competition at the end of the episode. “Project Runway” first premiered in 2004.

Is Karlie Kloss no longer on Project Runway? ›

For Season 19 of Project Runway, Karlie is taking a step back from her hosting duties. In March 2021, Karlie gave birth to her and Joshua's son, Levi Joseph Kushner, so she's taking some to focus on being a new mother. She'll pop in and out of Project Runway Season 19, but she's no longer a full-time host.

Do Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum get along? ›

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn Dish on Their 18-Year Friendship and 'Making the Cut' The hosts of the hottest design competition series talk to Shondaland about their first meeting, working with Amazon, and their love of fashion.

Who replaced Heidi Klum on Project Runway? ›

model Karlie Kloss

Has Project Runway been Cancelled? ›

We Have Major News About Season 20 of Project Runway | Bravo TV Official Site. At BravoCon 2022 it was announced that Bravo's Project Runway is returning for Season 20 with an exciting twist on designers competing.

Who from Project Runway has died? ›

“He had a big booming laugh; he was a joy and delight,” the producer and talk-show host added. In an email to EW, a Bravo spokesperson stated, “We are deeply saddened by the news of Chris March's passing. He was a favorite among Bravo fans and the fashion community.

Can irritable bowel syndrome be fatal? ›

IBS isn't life-threatening, and it doesn't make you more likely to get other colon conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or colon cancer. But it can be a long-lasting problem that changes how you live your life.

Can irritable bowel syndrome cause death? ›

IBS “can cause a lot of distress in someone's life, but it's not fatal,” said Dr. Nitin Ahuja, an assistant professor in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania. “It can, however, mimic other gastrointestinal conditions.”

Who is the oldest contestant on Project Runway? ›

When Nancy Volpe-Beringer was announced as a contestant for “Project Runway” season 18 at age 64, she made history as the show's oldest designer ever. I honestly wasn't sure how far she'd make it in the competition, since the winners skew young and fashion is all about what's modern and now.

Why was Project Runway Junior Cancelled? ›

Project Runway plus future seasons of Project Runway All-Stars and Project Runway Junior were dropped by Lifetime and A+E as a result of Harvey Weinstein's actions, which A+E said breached the agreement between the companies.

Who were first 3 winners of Project Runway? ›

Project Runway: The 10 First Winners & Their Most Iconic Look
  • Season 1: Jay McCarroll. ...
  • Season 2: Chloe Dao. ...
  • Season 3: Jeffrey Sebelia. ...
  • Season 4: Chrisitan Siriano. ...
  • Season 5: Leanne Marshall. ...
  • Season 6: Irina Shabayeva. ...
  • Season 7: Seth Aaron Henderson. ...
  • Season 8: Gretchen Jones.
Nov 24, 2021

Is Tim Gunn still celibate? ›

Tim Gunn -- the sartorially dapper mentor on 'Project Runway,' the new co-host of 'The Revolution,' and an all-around congenial gay guy -- blew the nation's mind this week with his revelation that he hasn't had sex in 29 years. And he's totally OK with it.

What happened to Althea from Project Runway? ›

Althea Harper (Season 6)

Harper lives in Connecticut with her husband, Stewart (the boyfriend she had during filming), and their four children. She juggles her time working on her fashion line, Althea Harper. She also freelances for fashion companies and takes care of three rescue dogs.

Did Tim Gunn retire from Project Runway? ›

The good news: Tim is most definitely not done with show business. In fact, he and his Project Runway costar Heidi Klum left the show to take on a whole new fashion television project: a brand new reality series on Amazon Prime Video.

Why did Zac Posen replace Michael Kors? ›

"Due to the back-to-back film schedule for seasons 10 and seasons 11 this summer, Michael was not able to commit to all the dates required for filming season 11," the network explained.

Who replaced Michael Kors on Project Runway? ›

Zac Posen replaced Michael Kors as a judge on season 11.

What happened Joshua Project Runway? ›

He is currently developing his own line and continues to design for his private clients. Joshua McKinley became the latest designer to be eliminated from Project Runway: All Stars season two in one of the design competition's biggest twists ever.

How much does a runway model make a day? ›

You can expect around $100 per hour if you are doing well. Starting model salary may be much lower, even $20 per hour, and you may have to work for free at first to get your portfolio. This type of modeling can be very well-paid, with an average of $200 per hour.

What did Heidi Klum do for a living? ›

What is Heidi Klum famous for? Heidi Klum is a German American supermodel and a television personality known for hosting popular reality shows such as Germany's Next Topmodel and Project Runway. She was also a judge on America's Got Talent and occasionally acted.

Is Heidi Klum a billionaire? ›

As of March 2023, Heidi Klum's net worth is roughly $160 Million. Heidi Klum is a German-American model, television personality, businesswoman, fashion designer and actress from Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.

Who got kicked off Project Runway for cheating? ›

Prior to Project Runway, Claire and Shawn appeared on the VH1 reality show Twinning which they won. Unfortunately, their appearance on Project Runway wasn't quite so successful when in episode 8 it came to light that Claire had broken the show's rules.

Why did Tim Gunn stop hosting Project Runway? ›

Gunn added that after 16 seasons, he'd grown tired of the show's formulaic approach to episodes. "We couldn't break out of it," he said.

Why did Michael Kors Quit Project Runway? ›

The New York native stepped away from the series due to the demands of his fashion empire. In a statement from Lifetime, which aired the show from 2009 to 2017, the network confirmed that Michael was simply too busy in his role as chief creative officer for his brand to serve as a full-time judge.

Has there ever been a straight guy on Project Runway? ›

Yes there have been straight and/or bisexual men on Project Runway.

Did Jeffrey cheat on Project Runway? ›

Ultimately, he walked away with the Project Runway Season 3 win even after cheating accusations from Season 3's second runner-up, Laura Bennett.

Are Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn friends? ›

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn Dish on Their 18-Year Friendship and 'Making the Cut' The hosts of the hottest design competition series talk to Shondaland about their first meeting, working with Amazon, and their love of fashion.

What happened to Kentaro from Project Runway? ›

You may remember Kentaro for his minimalistic and futuristic designs that helped crown him the season winner. He now lives in California and teaches at the Fashion School of Los Angeles. Kentaro continues to design and on the side, he also composes music as a trained classical pianist.

Is Michael Kors declining? ›

Since 2016, revenues for the Michael Kors brand have decreased 9.1 percent annually from $4.7 billion to $4.0 billion in 2021, compared to annual industry growth of approximately one percent during the same period.

Who replaced Michael Kors? ›

Replacing Kors on the judging panel is designer Zac Posen. "I have a pretty big seat to fill @MichaelKors. So honored!

Is Ari from Project Runway a man? ›

Honolulu fashion designer Andy South first gained national recognition in Season 8 of Lifetime Television's reality competition show, Project Runway. In 2012, Andy announced that he was now a she, a transgendered female. Her mother renamed her Ariyaphon Southiphong, or Ari for short.

Who was the youngest person on Project Runway? ›

Siriano first gained attention after winning the fourth season of American design competition show Project Runway in 2007, becoming the series' youngest winner.
...
Christian Siriano
Siriano at Ozy Fest in July 2018
BornNovember 18, 1985 Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
EducationAmerican InterContinental University
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