‘Project Runway’ twins Shawn & Claire Buitendorp change their story about cheating scandal: We didn’t cheat! (2024)

One of the most dramatic moments in “Project Runway” history was a hot topic of conversation during the Season 16 reunion special that aired Thursday night on Lifetime. Claire Buitendorp was disqualified from the competition after she admitted to using measuring tape outside of the work room, which was expressly against the rules. However, now Claire and her twin sister Shawn Buitendorp seem to be changing their story.

“That entire situation for me was a blur,” Claire revealed on stage in front of“Project Runway” reunion host Tim Gunn and the entire Season 16 cast. “I literally felt an onslaught of negativity of things that were coming my way. It happened so fast I don’t feel I like was able to articulate and adequately express my side of the story.”

Gunn then chimed in, “This is your opportunity. What is your side of the story?”

“So yes, I admitted to having a measuring tape,” Claire said. “I had absent-mindedly taken it home one day from the work room because, come on, things happen. You have late nights, things get misplaced, they get put in pockets and things come home.” Claire then seemed to backpedal on her previous confession by declaring, “I [only] measured garments in the work room and in the work room bathroom.”

SEE‘Project Runway’: Was Brandon Kee robbed of a win for this season 16 finale collection? [WATCH]

That’s when Gunn fired back, “One minute! On camera Claire says to me that she used it to measure garments in the apartment.” After an agonizing commercial break, Gunn continued, “Claire, I’m gonna ask a question. Did you have a measuring tape in your apartment/hotel?”

Claire responded, “Yes.”

“And did you use it?” Gunn asked.

“No,” she said, shocking the entire audience.

As for why she falsely confessed previously, Claire explained, “I answered the question that I thought that I had heard. And the question was, ‘Did you have a measuring tape?’ And I said yes, because at one point yes, I had brought a measuring tape home absent-mindedly. You asked if I had taken measurements of clothing and I said yes, because I had taken measurements of clothing in the bathroom in the work room.”

Do you believe Shawn & Claire Buitendorp’s new story about the “Project Runway” cheating scandal? Be sure to sound off down in the comments section and join the discussion in our reality TV forum.

‘Project Runway’ twins Shawn & Claire Buitendorp change their story about cheating scandal: We didn’t cheat! (2024)

FAQs

What happened to Claire and Shawn from Project Runway? ›

GRAND LEDGE - Claire Buitendorp said she didn't mean to cheat. One week after her twin sister Shawn tearfully bowed out of a head-to-head challenge against her on the latest season of Lifetime's "Project Runway," Claire was booted from the show.

What happened to Claire Buitendorp? ›

Claire disqualified from Project Runway; Harvey Weinstein deleted from credits. Claire Buitendorp was disqualified from Project Runway after admitting to measuring clothes in her hotel room.

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.

What does Project Runway do with the clothes? ›

Some of the clothes designed on the series end up being sold on the Project Runway website. Season-seven winner Seth Aaron Henderson said at a Fashion Week El Paso press conference in 201 that clothes produced by contestants "go up for auction immediately after the show."

What did mychael Knight died from? ›

His cause of death remains a mystery. He had been open about his battle with irritable bowel syndrome and extreme weight loss in recent months, leaving many to wonder if the disease may have played a role in his death. Doctors believe that unlikely, however.

Do Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn 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.

Did Claire cheat on Project Runway? ›

As using a measuring tape outside of the contestant workroom is expressly against the rules of Project Runway, Claire had her previous win revoked and was disqualified from the competition. The Project Runway season 16 cheating scandal wasn't the show's first either.

What episode does Claire cheat on Project Runway? ›

Claire was eliminated for cheating at the start of Project Runway's Oct. 12 episode.

Do Project Runway designers get paid? ›

But the show's success hasn't exactly trickled down to all of the designers. Runway doesn't pay the contestants, and many must quit their jobs to be on the show.

Who was caught cheating on Project Runway? ›

Keith Michael
BornJanuary 14, 1972
EducationPratt University/FIT
Occupationfashion designer
TelevisionProject Runway Season 3 (Disqualified)
1 more row

Who is the most successful Project Runway contestant? ›

Christian Siriano won season four.

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

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.

Why do runway models wear weird clothes? ›

All brands want to sell their products and runway shows are a great way for them to get a press coverage and increase brand awareness. Featuring unbelievable pieces is a perfect way to help the brand build its own image and aesthetic in the mind of consumers and get more recognised and popular.

What happens to clothes after runway? ›

A: The garments that we see created each week are auctioned off by a site that sells products from TV and film. The garments from each show go up for auction after that episode airs.

What happens if you lose a dress from Rent the Runway? ›

Your membership fee or one-time rental price includes coverage for minor mishaps and general wear and tear. Significant damage, lost pieces and theft are not covered. In those cases, you will be charged up to the retail price plus tax for the item.

Has a black person ever won Project Runway? ›

Essence - Dom Streater, the first African American winner on Project Runway, debuts first New York Fashion Week collection.

Does IBS 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.”

Does IBS lead to death? ›

In the main analysis, IBS was not associated with risk for death (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92–1.00).

What does Tim Gunn do now? ›

Teacher, Mentor, Producer, Fencer.

What is Tim Gunns net worth? ›

He is best known for being a mentor to designers over 16 seasons on the reality television program 'Project Runway. ' As of February 2023, Tim Gunn's net worth is estimated to be roughly $18 Million.

Did Tim Gunn retire? ›

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.

Does Claire cheat? ›

It started to change when Claire developed feelings for Jamie. She did develop the lustful feelings at first, but then those feelings developed into love. Claire chose not to return to Frank when she had a chance. She chose to return to Jamie, and that was the moment for many where she cheated on Frank.

What happened to Joshua from 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.

What is Dimitri from Project Runway doing now? ›

Dmitry Sholokhov now holds the title of both Project Runway winner and Project Runway All Stars winner. His business today focuses on private commissions and pursuit's of partnerships with major retailers. He also recently unveiled his new affordable high-fashion brand to the world.

Does Claire have an addiction? ›

Outlander fans have spoken of their horror after Claire Fraser was turned into a drug user in the opening episode of season six. The nurse, played by Caitriona Balfe, creates the painkiller ether and self-medicates with it as she tries to get over her traumatic experiences at the end of season five.

Does Claire get assaulted? ›

In the finale of Outlander's fifth season, Claire Fraser (Caitríona Balfe) was abducted from her North Carolina home by a gang of men, led by Lionel Brown (Ned Dennehy), before being beaten and raped.

Who did Claire sleep with? ›

When Jamie goes to jail for illegally dueling Black Jack Randall in Paris, he's imprisoned in the Bastille. Claire, who miscarried their daughter Faith, goes to meet the king and plead for him to free Jamie so they can return to Scotland.

How much do models get paid to walk the runway? ›

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.

How do runway models get paid? ›

Freelance models negotiate their own payments and contracts, whereas signed models have their modelling agencies to do that for them. Freelance models will take 100% of their payment home with them, while signed models will have a cut of their earnings taken by their agency.

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.

Who was pregnant on Project Runway? ›

Project Runway Season 19 Designer Anna Yinan Zhou Is Expecting Her First Child. That's not the only exciting news about the Project Runway contestant. Anna Yinan Zhou Is Expecting Her First Child! Christian Siriano Competes in an Unconventional Materials Challenge — Again!

What is Delvin from Project Runway doing now? ›

Currently, McCray owns a boutique in Block 37, 108 N. State St. unit 136, called Redd by Delvin McCray. When he applied to be part of “Project Runway,” McCray said it felt like a long shot because it was his second attempt.

Has anyone EVER been disqualified from Project Runway? ›

'Project Runway' doesn't allow cheating

However, that hasn't stopped designers from trying to gain an advantage over the competition. In season 3, contestant Keith Michael was disqualified after pattern-making books were discovered in the apartment. But that wasn't the only cheating scandal for the show.

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
3 more rows

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.

Has a woman won Project Runway? ›

Michelle Lesniak Franklin, Project Runway Season 11 Winner

Michelle Lesniak Franklin was the winner of "Project Runway" season 11. Following the competition, Franklin changed the name of her line from Michelle Is Well to Au Clothing. Her designs are currently sold in two boutiques in Portland and on her website.

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 was Project Runway All Stars Cancelled? ›

But as “All Stars” ended, A&E made public in bankruptcy filings it was severing ties with TWC Television for “breach of contract” and canceling all further seasons of “Project Runway.” Less than a month later, Bravo announced it had stepped in and bought the rights to “Project Runway” back.

Is Michael Kors still a judge on Project Runway? ›

Michael Kors isn't returning as a Project Runway judge for the design competition's 11th cycle, which will feature a twist wherein the designers compete in teams.

Why can't models smile on the runway? ›

Rising young star Matthieu Villot told AFP the reason for the unspoken ban on smiling was clear. "They want to show the clothes and not our faces. If we smile we focus attention on our faces and not the clothes," said the 22-year-old medical student.

Why are runway models so skinny? ›

When showing off their newest fashions, designers obviously want their outfits to look as beautiful as possible. In order for that to happen, the clothes need to drape and flow, which happens naturally when they are placed on a tall, skinny frame. That is why most mannequins come in such a small size.

Why do runway models not smile? ›

Smiling is a very personal expression, and it allows the personality of the model to show. But most fashion designers want their models to be “walking clothes hangers,” as close to being an unperson as possible. Hence, the neutral, impersonal expression.

Do people return clothes after wearing? ›

There are a lot of people who wear clothes and return it. They usually do it because they don't like the way it looks on them or it's not the right size. Sometimes people wear clothes and return it because they don't have the money to buy it. The return of a product is costly for both the company and the customer.

Are you allowed to wash rent the runway clothes? ›

Am I able to wash or dry clean my items? No need to clean your items on your own—we take care of that for you!

How long do you keep clothes from Rent the Runway? ›

You can keep items for as long as you want when you are a member. Your rentals are yours until you're ready to return them. You can keep items for as long as you want when you are a member.

What happens to the clothes worn in TV shows? ›

Principal actor clothing is kept in their permanent “closets.” Even if an item is never worn again on the show, it stays, because you never know when a random flashback scene might appear in a script. The thing most people don't realize is that everything that is bought in every department is recorded.

What do they do with the clothes from Project Runway? ›

Some of the clothes designed on the series end up being sold on the Project Runway website. Season-seven winner Seth Aaron Henderson said at a Fashion Week El Paso press conference in 201 that clothes produced by contestants "go up for auction immediately after the show."

Can you buy from Rent the Runway without membership? ›

Sign up for our free newsletter. Rent the Runway has become a full-fledged resale site, with everything on the platform now available for purchase, with or without a membership.

What is Sean from Project Runway doing now? ›

Sean Kelly, Project Runway Season 13 Winner

After his win, Sean used the spotlight to launch a luxury men's swimwear line. Now, he has returned and is on this season's "Project Runway: All Stars."

Who is the most successful Project Runway models? ›

Christian Siriano Is The Most Successful Project Runway Alum

Undoubtedly the most successful Project Runway contestant is Christian Siriano, who was named the winner of Project Runway season 4 at 21 years old.

Why did Sean Kelly leave? ›

It was widely deemed that Seán Kelly's red card at the end of normal time in Galway's All-Ireland quarter-final win over Armagh was harsh. The Tribe captain - along with Orchard joint-skipper Aidan Nugent, were sent off after a mass brawl broke out between the sides when they were heading for the tunnel.

How many pregnancies did Heidi Klum have? ›

As well as being one of the biggest names in the modeling world, Heidi is also a doting mother to four beautiful children, Leni, 18, Henry, 17, Lou, 13 and Johan, 16. She adores being a mom and Tom thrives in his position as stepfather, but she admits it's a scary thing to watch them grow up.

Does Skylar give birth? ›

Walt and Skyler have a baby girl. Now that Jesse is hooked on heroin, Walt refuses to give him his money until he gets clean.

Do models get paid for 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.

Do Project Runway models 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.

Has any black man won Project Runway? ›

ESSENCE.com: What inspired you to be on Project Runway? DOM STREATER: I have always loved watching Project Runway. I have been a fan of the show since I was 12-years-old. So for me, the idea of being on it was a dream!

Has a black person won Project Runway? ›

Essence - Dom Streater, the first African American winner on Project Runway, debuts first New York Fashion Week collection.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Last Updated:

Views: 5566

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Birthday: 1994-06-25

Address: Suite 153 582 Lubowitz Walks, Port Alfredoborough, IN 72879-2838

Phone: +128413562823324

Job: IT Strategist

Hobby: Video gaming, Basketball, Web surfing, Book restoration, Jogging, Shooting, Fishing

Introduction: My name is Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner, I am a zany, graceful, talented, witty, determined, shiny, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.