Project Runway finalist Ethan Mundt reveals unaired moment he fell on top of Tyra Banks: 'Everyon...

Mundt, a.k.a. &34;RuPaul's Drag Race&34; queen Utica, tells EW why the show &34;asked me to change&34; out of drag and offers thoughts on the winner: &34;I'll a

Mundt, a.k.a. "RuPaul's Drag Race" queen Utica, tells EW why the show "asked me to change" out of drag and offers thoughts on the winner: "I'll admit, I'm surprised."

*Project Runway *finalist Ethan Mundt reveals unaired moment he fell on top of Tyra Banks: 'Everyone's screaming'

Mundt, a.k.a. "RuPaul's Drag Race" queen Utica, tells EW why the show "asked me to change" out of drag and offers thoughts on the winner: "I'll admit, I'm surprised."

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes *RuPaul's Drag Race* video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

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September 26, 2025 9:00 a.m. ET

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Ethan Mundt, a.k.a. Utica Queen, on 'Project Runway' ; Tyra Banks on 'Project Runway'. Credit:

Freeform; Disney/Spencer Pazer

- EW speaks with* Project Runway* finalist and* RuPaul's Drag Race* alum Ethan Mundt, a.k.a. Utica.

- Mundt reveals an unaired moment where he fell on top of guest judge Tyra Banks — and apologized to her boobs.

- He admits he's "surprised" by season 21's winner: "I was robbed in the design challenge of *Drag Race*, so I'll take it, baby."

**This article contains spoilers for the* Project Runway *season 21 finale.******

As the saying goes, you win some, you lose some. And while *RuPaul's Drag Race* alum Ethan Mundt — a.k.a. Utica Queen — didn't win the grand prize on Thursday night's finale, he ended up with a huge victory in the sense that he now has an amazing story to tell about falling on top of guest judge Tyra Banks.

In an interview shortly after finishing the competition as a runner-up alongside fellow designer Jesus Estrada, Mundt tells* * what really happened with the *America's Next Top Model* host on the *Project Runway* set (outside of her allegedly not being able to see the contestants' designs thanks to forgetting her eyeglasses), why we didn't see Utica in drag more often this season, and what he really thinks of eventual winner (and season 21 drama-stirrer) Veejay Floresca. Read on for the full Q&A.**

Watch 'Drag Race' alum show up to compete on 'Project Runway' in full drag: 'Oh my God!'

'Project Runway' shockingly eliminates returning designer on premiere for second time

**: Many viewers already knew you as Utica from *Drag Race*. But, we didn't see Utica drag much this season. You said at Roscoe's that the show asked you not to do drag at one point. Can you clarify?**

**ETHAN MUNDT:** I first entered in drag, during the promotional, walking around the city [moments]. But, they asked me to change because they wanted to present more of the Ethan character. In the competition, I was like, what opportunities do I have to do drag? They cast me as a drag designer, and I want to be able to take every opportunity to make it happen. I got some pushback at the beginning, and I got them to understand that this craft takes time. It's all-encompassing, and not just something I can get into and also be able to work.

When all of that happened during "Boring to Brilliant" week, I got the sense that they were trying to play this big TV moment with all the critiques and the flopping of the team. During the critiques, I felt that some of the things they said were critiquing the character and not just the clothes. I got what they were trying to do, and I'll be honest, I was a little disappointed. Utica is a love-bringer, she's my armor, and I don't like this idea that I need to leave the drag at home, because that's what they brought me there to do. I told production, after all of that, "I refuse to gift y'all with the presence of Utica if this is how this energy is going to be perceived." I never got the air that their minds would change, so I never gave them that again. I planned on doing it for the finale, but I got the air that they weren't interested.

**From the judges or production?**

Production is the middleman, but the judges, I got that from them. They didn't want to see Utica that day, and they weren't interested in having my boisterous work interrupt the clothes. The show wants accessible clothing, and that's not really my m.o. outside the show, so I bent a lot to make it happen. It's hard to do drag on this show. They don't offer a lot of time to do it, it's lots of manual labor through the competition, and drag is inhibitory in that area. My original idea was for the finale to wear my piece that was on the mannequin at the beginning, and it would've been this big bookend to the show, but it didn't seem like the air of the show was interested in having that moment.

Ethan Mundt on 'Project Runway' season 21.

**You said at Roscoe's that guest judge Tyra Banks forgot her glasses. What happened?**

At the beginning of the critiques, she was like, "I want to preface, I don't have my glasses and I don't have my contacts. I just want to let you know that I can see beautiful shapes, and I can't really see hems, but I just want to let you know you're all doing a great job." Mama, you're coming to sewing competition where you're critiquing the detail of the clothes, and you can't see? Also, she just did a [TV] interview, and what is this bitch wearing? Glasses! [*Laughs*] I fell on her when she leaves. Does it show me falling on her?

**No! What happened?**

Tyra had a hard out at five. She approached the stage and walked down the line, and when she gets to me, she reaches out to give me a hug and my heel falls off the front of the stage. I fall on her, off the stage. She doesn't fall down, but I fall into her, into her ta-tas. I grab her waist as I'm falling down and catch myself. I was like, "Tyra, I'm so sorry." Everyone's screaming, Heidi's like "Oh my God!" Law is like "Holy s---," tossing his hair. I was like, "Oh my God, Tyra, I'm so sorry," but more importantly, I talk to her boobs. I'm crazy. I'm like, "But more importantly, I want to apologize to you, too!" She laughed and goes, "Oh my God, girl, you're crazy." I gave her a hug and got back on stage and gave a twirl.

Ethan Mundt enters the 'Project Runway' set as 'Drag Race' alum Utica Queen.

**How do you feel about Veejay winning after all of the drama?**

My pageant answer. I'll admit, I'm surprised that she won. I think the show is looking for people to represent the brand and mold themselves to the brand, and I think Veejay is an excellent person for that. She has the ability to do what the show asks for and create clothes that are in line with the brand. She's wanted this for so incredibly long, and I'm proud of her for putting the work in. In a way, I'm glad I didn't win. As much as money and opportunity would be fabulous, I'm not tied to the show. I'm a free bird, able to soar so high without the confines. On the flipside, I'm proud of Veejay for putting in the work, putting in the drama. She gave a *performance* of a lifetime.

**Half-pageant answer, half-real?**

Yeah! That's good. Also, mama, to be real, we love a robbed queen. I was robbed in the design challenge of *Drag Race*, so I'll take it, baby. I'm proud. I can only go up from here.

**Would you do *Drag Race All Stars* or *Project Runway All Stars*?**

I'd love to do both. *Project Runway All Stars*, I'd love to come back as a model with the designers fighting over my model card. I'd love to be a guest judge. Christian isn't getting any taller, so if they need anyone for that role!

**Not as a contestant?**

[*Laughs*] I'd love to be a judge or mentor, put my stamp on this competition and milk it for all it's worth. I'm on the side of positive change when it comes to history and this show. I'd love to see change happen with the show. More inclusion, more focus on the designers, showcasing the beauty not only of the clothes, but the people that make the show happen. For *Drag Race All Stars*, of course I'd love to. I've come into my own as a fully cooked chicken.

**Did you ask Heidi to stand up at any point?**

No, I didn't. I should have, though! But, I mean, she never wore sweatpants, so there was no need.

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity. *

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