Project Runway Returns to Freeform with Heidi Klum, $14M New Jersey Production

Project Runway has returned for its 21st season on Freeform, marked by the comeback of original host Heidi Klum after an eight-year absence. Klum, who left in 2017, cited the opportunity to work alongside longtime judge Nina Garcia, new judge Law Roach, and former contestant-turned-mentor Christian Siriano as key reasons for her return. The season features twelve designers competing in challenges inspired by Disney princesses and villains, with the show now filming primarily in New Jersey, where it spent $14 million and received a $4.8 million tax credit. Christian Siriano continues his role as mentor, and Law Roach joins as a permanent judge, adding fresh industry expertise. The series, which originally premiered on Bravo in 2004 before moving to Lifetime and then back to Bravo, now embraces a new network and a streaming presence on Hulu and Disney+, aiming to blend its established format with new energy. Fans can stream the season premiere through services like Fubo, DirecTV, and Sling, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers.