The Real Reason Tim Gunn And Heidi Klum Left Project Runway

"Project Runway" first debuted on our screens in 2004, with supermodel Heidi Klum leading the charge as the show's host and fashion consultant Tim Gunn by her side as the contestants' mentor. The two quickly became the face of the show and went on to make 16 seasons together, calling it quits at the same time in 2018 (via Good Housekeeping). 

Speaking to The New York Post, Gunn revealed the real reason they decided to leave: "Heidi and I have wanted to make changes to 'Project Runway' for quite a while," he said. "We were joined in that desire by the 'Project Runway' showrunner for the last eleven seasons, an incredible woman by the name of Sara Rea. And the network wouldn't budge — they said 'This is a success, people like the format, we're not going to change anything.'" So rather than stick around, they saw this as their opportunity to go off and create a show of their own.

Just over a year after leaving "Project Runway," it was announced that Klum and Gunn had reunited for "Making the Cut," a reality fashion competition series, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in March 2020. According to Variety, the show has gone global, meaning designers from all over the world can enter, and guest judges include the likes of Naomi Campbell, Nicole Richie, Carine Roitfeld, Joseph Altuzarra, and Chiara Ferragni, among others.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Klum revealed how it differs from "Project Runway," explaining that they had introduced a "shop" element, connecting the designers and the audience. "When you see a design that you actually love, you can buy it," she said. "It's not only great for the consumer, but it's also amazing for our designers. We never had that aspect where we could actually help the designers to really branch out into the real world like this on 'Project Runway.'"

From 2004-2017, host Heidi Klum and mentor Tim Gunn appeared on "Project Runway" (per the New York Post). Klum also served as a judge, alongside Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. The show started on Bravo, moved to Lifestyle, and then came back to Bravo in 2018.

"When 'Project Runway' left Lifetime and went back to Bravo, Heidi and I huddled and said, 'This is the opportunity. This is the time that we can do what we really want to do,'" Gunn told the New York Post. They pitched expanding the show's emphasis on sewing skills to include testing the contestants' global marketing and branding chops. However, Bravo refused to implement the changes. Bravo executive vice president Shari Levine told The New York Times, "Heidi and Tim were the originals and I enjoyed working with them, but this is 15 years later. It's important that the show evolves and looks to the next generation."

That's when Gunn and Klum parted ways with the show, with Karlie Kloss replacing Klum as host. The dynamic duo won Emmy awards during their time as co-hosts of "Project Runway." However, Gunn and Klum didn't get to work closely with each other on the show. Gunn told the New York Post, "On 'Project Runway' we had such completely separate roles that we barely interacted." He added that the two collaborate closely together now on "Making the Cut."

Seasons 1 and 2 of "Making the Cut" are available on Amazon Prime, but if you've powered through those seasons and are waiting for a third, it's uncertain if and when that will happen. As a third season hasn't been officially confirmed yet, there's no release date. If there's a third season, Fansided predicts it would drop around fall or winter of this year, with two episodes releasing per week, similar to previous seasons.

The good news is there are signs of a renewal. Just three weeks ago, co-hosts Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn were spotted together in Beverly Hills filming for "Making the Cut," per Marie Claire. Klum sported a statement-making fuchsia pantsuit featuring an oversized blazer, wide-leg pants, and a turtleneck crop top. She accessorized her outfit with red close-toed heels and pink sunglasses which gave the look a '70s vibe. Gunn mixed several patterns in his outfit, rocking a blue pinstripe suit, a light blue gingham button-down shirt, and red-and-blue striped tie.

It looks like we'll be waiting in great anticipation for the next season and the iconic, dashing duo that is Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn.