Tyra Banks appears in the official trailer for Project Runway season 22released June 18, returning to the fashion competition series in a recurring role alongside judges Heidi Klum, Law Roach, and Nina Garcia. Hulu confirmed her return in the trailer, which also features season 4 winner Christian Siriano back as mentor.
What Role Will Banks Play This Season?
Banks previously appeared as a guest judge in season 21, making this her first recurring role on Project Runway in years. The new season premieres July 9 on Freeform before streaming on Hulu and Disney+, with weekly episodes following the debut.
Season 22 brings 22 designers to the competition, making it the largest cast in the show’s history. This expanded roster marks a significant departure from previous seasons and suggests the series is doubling down on its format after more than two decades on air.
Which Celebrity Guests Are Joining the Season?
Several high-profile figures will appear as guest judges throughout the season. Musical artists Ciara and Ice Spice are confirmed to make appearances, alongside model Iman and actors Kiernan Shipka, Niecy Nash, and Nina Dobrev.
Fashion designers Willy Chavarria and Sergio Hudson will also judge episodes. Influencers and media personalities including Nara Smith and Paige DeSorbo round out the guest lineup.
The season will feature crossover appearances from Dancing with the Stars cast members, including professional dancers. Reality TV stars from Hulu’s broader programming, such as The Bachelorette and Vanderpump Villa, will also appear. Former Project Runway contestants and winners will return in guest and model roles, creating connections to the show’s two-decade archive of talent.
How Does This Fit Into Banks’ Current Media Presence?
The Project Runway season 22 announcement comes shortly after Banks filed a legal complaint about a recent documentary covering America’s Next Top Model. She alleges the documentary misrepresented her through selective editing, claiming only a small portion of her interview was used and taken out of context to support a misleading narrative.
Banks is seeking damages and a jury trial in that case. The legal action highlights ongoing tensions around how her 24-cycle reality competition series is remembered and discussed in retrospective media coverage.
Her return to fashion reality television on Project Runway positions her back in the genre where she built much of her television career, though in a judging capacity rather than as host or executive producer. The move keeps her visible in the competitive reality television landscape even as America’s Next Top Model remains off the air.
Project Runway has cycled through multiple hosts, judges, and networks since its 2004 debut, and the addition of recognizable figures like Banks reflects the show’s ongoing effort to maintain relevance in a crowded entertainment market. Banks joins a panel that already includes supermodel Klum and celebrity stylist Roach, creating a judging lineup heavy on fashion industry credentials and name recognition.
