{"id":172176,"date":"2025-09-27T04:28:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T04:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/172176\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T04:28:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T04:28:13","slug":"project-runway-season-21-winner-on-making-history-twin-feud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/172176\/","title":{"rendered":"Project Runway Season 21 Winner on Making History, Twin Feud"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t[The following story contains spoilers from the Project Runway<\/a> season 21 finale.] <\/p>\n

\n\tVeejay Floresca made Project Runway history Thursday night, becoming the first transgender person to win the long-running reality show.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tHer victory marked an undoubtedly historic moment for the franchise, though Floresca\u2019s journey on the series will be remembered for numerous reasons. Aside from a history-making win, she was at the center of a season-long feud with twin contestants Jesus and Antonio Estrada; created a slew of compelling, winning designs; and approached each episode with an impeccable understanding of fashion<\/a> with an undeniable entertainment factor that enticed the cameras.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tFloresca is a self-proclaimed Project Runway super fan, and after years of applying to compete on the show, she tells The Hollywood Reporter season 21<\/a> was the \u201cperfect timing\u201d for her appearance due to a number of factors. Instead of feeling defeated when she didn\u2019t make past editions of the show<\/a>, the Filipino designer used those experiences as fuel that would eventually feed into her season 21 win.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI always believe in destiny,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd because of those years [of not getting cast], I became more and more skilled, and you need skills to win Project Runway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBelow, Floresca reflects on becoming the first trans woman to win the show, her feud with the Estrada twins, which of her Project Runway looks she hopes to be remembered for and why she wants to be \u201cthe next Christian Siriano.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t***<\/p>\n

\n\tBefore this season, you were on Project Runway Philippines and Hulu\u2019s Dress My Tour. What made you want to appear on the mainstay Project Runway?<\/p>\n

\n\tWhy not, right? Project Runway is the most iconic fashion design reality show in the world. It started it all. It\u2019s the original fashion design reality competition, and I\u2019m a super fan. That\u2019s the reason why I competed on Project Runway Philippines season one, because I\u2019m a super fan of Project Runway U.S. Every season since I moved to the U.S., which is 2012, I\u2019ve been auditioning [for] Project Runway. They would always say that it\u2019s not my time yet, \u201cYou should apply again next season.\u201d And that\u2019s what I\u2019ve been doing: apply, apply, apply, apply, until they got tired of me (laughs) and they were like, \u201cOh my God, it\u2019s Veejay again, let\u2019s give her a chance.\u201d Fast forward, I\u2019m part of Project Runway 21.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhat about season 21 made it the perfect moment for you to be on the show?<\/p>\n

\n\tI always believe in destiny. I always believe in hard work, determination, and never, ever lose hope in something that you\u2019re very passionate about. Every time I would receive an email saying that I am not part of that season, instead of being sorry about myself, I felt that it\u2019s not the right time yet. And season 21 is actually the perfect timing because Heidi came back<\/a>. Like, if I have the opportunity to actually choose which season to compete, it will definitely be the season where Heidi is the host, because Project Runway is never the same without Heidi, right? So when I found out that Heidi is back, I was so excited and happy, and it\u2019s the perfect timing, because I know who I am as a designer. And because of those years [of not getting cast], I became more and more skilled, and you need skills to win Project Runway.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tThe cast of Project Runway season 21.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDisney\/Spencer Pazer<\/p>\n

\n\tYou and the twins butted heads the entire competition, but your feud really reached a new level in the last two episodes. Did the tension amongst you three feel as heightened for you experiencing it as it appeared in those episodes?<\/p>\n

\n\tYeah, definitely. What they [show] on TV is actually real. And I keep telling people that Project Runway is a competition. Whether we like it or not, there\u2019s always going to be one winner. Maybe in the near future, there [will be] a tie, we don\u2019t know yet. Project Runway is a very crazy show, but you know there\u2019s always going to be one winner. And I came into the competition telling myself and telling the people in the casting committee that if I\u2019m going to be part of season 21, I promised myself that I\u2019m going to be authentic. I\u2019m going to be real and honest. And part of that authenticity, [is that] I am a very competitive person. And being in a competition, it\u2019s like, as much as I want to hug everybody, I\u2019m hugging you, but I\u2019m stabbing you [in the back] at the same time, because it\u2019s like, I gotta win. I\u2019m doing this for myself. I\u2019m doing this for my family, but I want to make sure that even though there\u2019s\u00a0tension between Jesus and Antonio, that tension is only there. It started there [on the show]; we\u2019re gonna leave it there. But outside that, we\u2019re all friends. We\u2019re actually really good friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tGiven both you and Jesus\u2019 backgrounds in reality TV<\/a>, do you think that made both of you more inclined to lean into the drama?<\/p>\n

\n\tI think that is most likely one of the reasons too. Because, for example, Jesus was part of Project Runway season seven, I was part of Project Runway Philippines and also I competed in Dress My Tour, so we\u2019ve lost. And I think that loss is something that made us want this even more. And I actually expected that it\u2019s going to be like that, you know, two competitive people in one show \u2014 what do you expect us to do, right? So I think that\u2019s normal, and I\u2019m glad that it happened, because whether we like it or not, it made the show really fun to watch. And I\u2019m glad that we did that, not intentionally, because it created that narrative that it\u2019s a competition. For those people who are planning to join for the next season, they gotta be ready, because it\u2019s a very cutthroat industry.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn the finale episode, when you were dead set on working with Jessica [Jesus\u2019 self-proclaimed favorite model], did you choose her to get underneath his skin?<\/p>\n

\n\tYes. It\u2019s one of the most controversial things on the finale. And to tell you honestly, I chose Jessica, again, as a competitive reason. Jessica is a good model; she\u2019s really fierce, she has this attitude, her body, her height, her walk \u2014 these are the things that you are looking for [in] a model. And as part of the competition, I actually feel that, for some reason, judges love Jessica. Like, whatever she wears, the judges love it. So to me, I\u2019m like, I need to get her. So I stole Jessica from Jesus. And I didn\u2019t even steal Jessica from Jesus, because Jesus did not own her to begin with. She\u2019s up for grabs, so it just happened that I grabbed her first, but then again, the chaos happened, so I\u2019m like, \u201cWhatever, Jesus. I don\u2019t want to steer drama again. This is Jessica, I\u2019m gonna give [her back] to you.\u201d But still, honestly, I didn\u2019t even need to do that, right? Because you don\u2019t own her.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Project Runway\u2019 season 21 finale<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDisney\/Spencer Pazer<\/p>\n

\n\tYou are the first transgender person to win Project Runway. How does that feel?<\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s a big celebration for my community. It\u2019s a big celebration for people who feel different. It\u2019s a big hope to people who feel that they can achieve something because they\u2019re trans or because they\u2019re gay. And I want people to be inspired of my story, that it is possible. I think that fashion is a safe space for everybody who wants to be authentic. It\u2019s an industry where we embrace diversity and uniqueness and inclusivity. So being able to carry that major [title of being the] first trans woman to ever win Project Runway is an opportunity that I\u2019m thankful [for]. I will never, ever take it for granted, and I will even use this opportunity to speak to people, to inspire people, to make them feel that they are valid and they are enough to do whatever they want in life.<\/p>\n

\n\tThis season had a fully queer top three. Aside from your historic win, what did it mean for you to be a part of this group of queer designers that were in the top of Project Runway season 21?<\/p>\n

\n\tIt feels amazing. It feels that it\u2019s relevant to what is happening today. What\u2019s happening in our country, our rights are being taken away from us. I think that three queer people, members of the LGBT community, standing there, representing fashion, representing our homeland. You know, Jesus from Mexico, I am from the Philippines, Ethan is from the United States. So technically, it\u2019s Miss Universe on stage. You know, Miss Mexico, Miss Philippines and Miss USA, right? Aside from that, it feels so good to share that stage with everybody, because I think that we\u2019re not even supposed to talk about this anymore. I think gender orientation and sexual identity is just part of who we are, but it doesn\u2019t define us. It doesn\u2019t define our limitations, our creativity, our hard work. So I\u2019m just really happy that I have that opportunity to share it with them.<\/p>\n

\n\tLooking back on your career as a designer from this moment, having just won Project Runway, what would you tell your younger self?<\/p>\n

\n\tI think I\u2019ll just really tell Veejay, never, ever give up. It\u2019s not going to be an easy journey. There\u2019s going to be a lot of hurdles, a lot of obstacles, a lot of heartbreak, a lot of pain. But keep going, because you can use all those obstacles and challenges, and it will just make you a stronger person. And it\u2019s going to be worth it, because you will be given that opportunity where you can share your experience in your life that will change people\u2019s lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tVeejay Floresca\u2019s Project Runway season 21 collection<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDisney\/Spencer Pazer<\/p>\n

\n\tIf you could give any other fellow young queer kids who are aspiring designers and who may be nervous or unsettled given the political landscape any advice, what would you say to them?<\/p>\n

\n\tSurround yourself with the people who love you. There\u2019s gonna be someone out there who will love you, who will accept you for who you are. You just gotta find those people. That\u2019s the first [piece of advice]. And then second is, know what you love to do. Because it sounds [like] just a cliche, but if you\u2019re passionate about something, you\u2019ll be successful. It takes a lot of hard work. It\u2019s not going to be an easy road, for sure, but once you love [something], you want to do it more and more. And lastly, be kind. Kindness is free. I think that more people would want to work with kind people rather than talented people. I think when you\u2019re kind, you attract good aura, good people. Because, you know what? Sometimes it\u2019s better to be kind than to be right. So always choose kindness.<\/p>\n

\n\tLooking back, which challenge was your favorite?<\/p>\n

\n\tOh, definitely the unconventional challenge, because I\u2019m a super fan of the show. I think it\u2019s the most iconic challenge of all time, and it\u2019s one of the challenges I wish I won. But I really love it, because I think it really showed my innovation and my creativity.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhich look do you hope to be remembered for from your time on Project Runway?<\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s a toss between the shuttlecock [unconventional material look] and also the real client [look]. I think the real client challenge defines my work ethics. I\u2019m really the type of person that I work with different people. And my goal when I work with people is I want to make you happy, I want to make you feel good. I want to make you love what you\u2019re wearing, because the power of clothing and fashion is that it can transform you, [give you] self confidence and love yourself, bring out the best in you. I really love that challenge, and I\u2019m glad that I did it, because I won\u2019t forgive myself if I mess that up. I\u2019m really happy that my client really loved that look.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tVeejay Floresca\u2019s unconventional and client challenge looks.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDisney\/Spencer Pazer<\/p>\n

\n\tLooking at your career post-Project Runway, do you have a dream client that you\u2019d like to dress?<\/p>\n

\n\tYes, Zendaya is definitely one of my dream clients. I already actually have a design for her, I\u2019m just waiting for Law [Roach] to call. And of course, I want to dress Nina Garcia and I want to dress Heidi Klum<\/a>. My brand is inclusivity, I celebrate women of all ages, gender identity, size. So being able to work up with Nina, Heidi and Zendaya, and also, honestly, everybody. I hope they will trust me, because I love to work with everybody.<\/p>\n

\n\tWith your historic win and this life-changing opportunity, what is next for you in your career as a designer?<\/p>\n

\n\tI will be the next Christian Siriano. I want to be remembered as Christian Siriano, who used the win to create a very strong brand. If there\u2019s Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood of American Idol, there\u2019s Veejay Floresca and Christian Siriano of Project Runway. That\u2019s the goal, and that\u2019s the reason why I joined, because I really want to grow the business and to have a brand. So I hope \u2014 not I hope, I will make that happen.<\/p>\n

\n\t***<\/p>\n

\n\tSeason 21 of Project Runway is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[The following story contains spoilers from the Project Runway season 21 finale.] Veejay Floresca made Project Runway history…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":172177,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[49,48,75,1187,28126,28128,14983,348],"class_list":{"0":"post-172176","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-fashion","12":"tag-heidi-klum","13":"tag-project-runway","14":"tag-reality-tv","15":"tag-tv"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172176"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172176\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}