Project Runway shockingly eliminates returning contestant on premiere for second time: 'A moment ...

Caycee Black failed to impress the judges with a Disneyinspired dress on the runway. Project Runway shockingly eliminates returning contestant on premiere for s

Caycee Black failed to impress the judges with a Disney-inspired dress on the runway.

Project Runway shockingly eliminates returning contestant on premiere for second time: 'A moment of PTSD'

Caycee Black failed to impress the judges with a Disney-inspired dress on the runway.

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Published on August 2, 2025 12:00PM EDT

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Caycee Black eliminated first on 'Project Runway'. Credit:

- Caycee Black became *Project Runway*'s first-eliminated designer on two separate seasons.

- The contestant first appeared on season 19.

- Black initially called the Disney princess-inspired group challenge "a moment of PTSD."

Caycee Black has stitched herself into *Project Runway* history, as the returning Brooklyn designer became the first-eliminated contestant of the season for the second time in her reality career.

After once again entering the work room following her episode 1 departure on season 19 in 2021, Black expressed that she was having "a moment of PTSD" upon learning that season 21's first challenge would be a group effort — the same style of challenge that sent her packing in last place four years ago.

"I'm getting hives. I'm sweating. I'm having a panic attack. I cannot be eliminated first. Not again," Black said at the top of the premiere episode. But, in trying to do the opposite, she actually spoke her fate into existence.

Caycee Black and her Disney princess look on 'Project Runway'.

Overseen by judges Heidi Klum, Christian Siriano, Nina Garcia, and Law Roach, the episode 1 challenge split the designers into two teams, with one creating a collection of looks inspired by Disney princesses, and the other modeling their designs after Disney villains. The latter team was declared the top group, with the winning designer named as Ethan Mundt — a.k.a. Utica Queen from *RuPaul's Drag Race*.

"In season 19, I had a lot of ideas. It was really hard for me to edit down, and I lost track of time. I don't want that to happen again," Black said in the work room as she modeled her tulle ball gown after the classic animated film *Sleeping Beauty. *

But, the judges weren't impressed with the final product, as her team landed in the bottom — and Black received harsh critiques.**

Klum even said that Black's design "looks like a nightgown" and labeled it "lackluster" on the runway, while Roach even went as far as to say he "hated" the ribbon that Black included in the piece.

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"I think it was a mess, because you had everything to make something so beautiful and fairytale-like, and you kind of missed it," Roach observed.

Backstage, Black became visibly emotional, telling her fellow contestants that she was "in shock" over how her garment was perceived.

Back on stage, Black landed in the bottom two alongside Antonio Estrada, who'd earlier clashed with the judges in a back-and-forth exchange.

Heidi Klum on 'Project Runway'.

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Moments later, Black was the first contestant of season 21 to hear Klum's famous parting words: "Caycee, I'm so sorry, but that means you're out. Auf Wiedersehen," Klum said, after declaring Estrada to be "in."**

"I'm beyond shocked to be eliminated for this look," Black said after her elimination. "It feels harsh to leave at this stage of the competition again. I wish I could've shown more, but I'm still really proud of it. *Project Runway* is an experience I will never forget, and I'm probably finished with as of now."

*Project Runway* continues Thursdays on Freeform, followed by weekly streaming debuts on Hulu and Disney+.

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