Heidi Klum is staging a comeback to Project Runway.
Deadline has confirmed that Klum, who originally hosted the former Bravo show from 2004 to 2017, is returning to the unscripted series that’s now at Freeform. In October, the Disney network closed a deal with Spyglass Media Group to bring back the reality competition for a new 10-episode season in 2025.
Klum was the original host of Project Runway, with Tim Gunn starting as mentor on the program and ultimately getting a co-host billing. Klum and Gunn were nominated six times for best reality host Primetime Emmy and won in 2013. (Klum has three additional solo Emmy hosting noms.)
Klum and her Gunn both bid farewell to Project Runway after the 2017 season. Klum said in a statement at the time, “After 16 incredible seasons, I am saying ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to Project Runway, a show that I was honored to host and help create. I am incredibly proud of the show, and it will always have a special place in my heart. I am so appreciative of the dedicated fans, and most of all, I am grateful that we could shine a light on creativity and help launch so many talented designers’ careers.”
Staying on for the Freeform incarnation of Project Runway are producers Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz from Alfred Street Industries. Just like it did for Lifetime 15 years ago, Project Runway is expected to raise Freeform’s profile in the unscripted space.
The news of Klum’s return was first reported by People.
