Entertainment

22 designers compete on 'Project Runway' Season 22. Watch the premiere

Twenty-two fresh-faced designers will soon make their way into the "Project Runway" workroom.

Season 22 of "Project Runway" premieres Thursday, July 9, on the streaming platform Freeform. Weekly episodes will be available on Disney+ and Hulu shortly after their Freeform premiere, per a Freeform news release.

This season features several contestants who are no reality television newbies, including Season 21 designer Joseph McRae. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, McRae was voted off the series on Episode 4 of the previous season.

And contestants Robert "Robby" Crone and Plane Jane appeared on Season 16 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" in 2024. The former performed under the drag name Q.

Ready to watch? Here's what to know about the "Project Runway" Season 22 premiere.

When does 'Project Runway' Season 22 premiere?

"Project Runway" Season 22 premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 9, on Freeform.

How to watch 'Project Runway' Season 22 premiere

Viewers can tune in to the "Project Runway" Season 22 premiere at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 9, on the streaming service Freeform. The episode will be available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ shortly after, according to a Freeform news release.

Watch the 'Project Runway' Season 22 trailer

Who are the 'Project Runway' Season 22 contestants?

Here's a look at the "Project Runway" Season 22 contestants:

  • Aaron Potts
  • Andrea Moore
  • Andriy Volkov
  • Anna Molinari
  • Bao Tranchi
  • Bi Pham
  • Bryan Barrientos
  • Chloe Magleby
  • Dani Bennett
  • Elizabeth Shevelev
  • Jeffrey Kelly Abess
  • Jennifer Daniels
  • Joseph McRae (previously competed on Season 21)
  • Jude Mikulencak
  • Omolara "LRÉ the Artist" Odupita
  • Naheim Muhammad
  • Octavius Terry
  • Plane Jane
  • R'bonney Nola Gabriel
  • Robert Crone
  • Varvara "Bobby" Diakonenkova
  • Yang Yang Xu

Who is hosting 'Project Runway' Season 22?

Longtime host Heidi Klum will return to host "Project Runway" Season 22.

Who are the 'Project Runway' Season 22 judges?

Heidi Klum, Law Roach and Nina Garcia will serve as returning, recurring judges, and supermodel Tyra Banks will make several appearances throughout the series, according to a Freeform news release. Christian Siriano, "Project Runway" Season 4 winner, will return as a mentor for the contestants, a role previously held by Tim Gunn.

Other guest judges include Ciara, Fausto Puglisi, Ice Spice, Iman, Kiernan Shipka, Niecy Nash, Nina Dobrev, Sergio Hudson, Willy Chavarria and Winnie Harlow, according to a news release.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Unlimited Use: 22 designers compete on 'Project Runway' Season 22. Watch the premiere

Reporting by Greta Cross, USA TODAY / USA TODAY Unlimited Use

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM.

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