“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 13 star Utica Queen is set to slay the runway yet again as one of the contestants on “Project Runway” Season 21. The queen, known out of drag as Ethan Mundt, will mark the first-ever crossover between the two beloved reality competition series.
Utica was officially announced for the cast of “Project Runway” Season 21, alongside returning designers like Jesus Estrada (Season 7) and Caycee Black (Season 19) in a trailer for the upcoming season released on June 11. The trailer similarly revealed the return of familiar faces like Heidi Klum, Christian Siriano, Nina Garcia and rotating “Drag Race” judge, Law Roach.
Who is Ethan Mundt a.k.a. Utica Queen?
Utica Queen rose to fame on Season 13 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2020. Despite a sixth place finish on the season, the drag artist was able to make a lasting impression on fans, due in no small part to her “out of the box” fashion.
In Episode 5 of her season, Utica went viral online after hand-crafting an elaborate hooded gown entirely out of sleeping bags. The look has since gone down as one of the most fashionable looks in “RuPaul’s Drag Race” history.
Instagram @queenuticaSpeaking on the outfit in a profile with Vogue, Utica revealed that the outfit, inspired by the Moncler X Pierpaolo Piccioli collaboration, took her between six and seven hours to make.
“I wanted to be a childlike creature emerging from the woods in grandiose sleeping bag couture,” Utica told the publication in 2021.
Since her time on “Drag Race,” the queen, now 30, has been hard at work behind the scenes designing and crafting looks for other series alums. Utica’s handiwork was behind Season 14 winner Willow Pill’s three-headed finale runway, as well as Daya Betty’s promo look for the currently-airing “All Stars 10.” Even Brooke Lynn Heights, who originally appeared on Season 11 of the series before going on to host “Canada’s Drag Race,” has taken to the runway in Utica’s original fashions.
Utica Queen Reacts to Joining the Cast of ‘Project Runway’ Season 21
After the cast announcement for Season 21 of “Project Runway” was announced, Utica took to Instagram to bask in the glory of the moment.
“Still pinching myself!!” wrote the Minnesota native. “Walking into the ‘Project Runway’ workroom felt like stepping into a dream.”
GettyUtica continued: “This moment marks the first ever ‘Drag Race’ crossover onto ‘Project Runway,’ and that’s not lost on me. It’s more than a look, it’s a symbol. A symbol of how far our art form has come, of how the worlds of fashion and drag continue to grow, influence, and uplift each other.”
While “Drag Race” executive producer and host RuPaul appeared as a special celebrity guest judge on a drag-themed episode of “Project Runway” in 2008, Utica will be the first “Drag Race” contestant to join the series as a competing designer.
“To the Drag community: thank you for teaching me how to turn fabric into fantasy, and for being the fiercest, most fearless family I could ever ask for,” continued Utica, adding, “To the fashion world: thank you for opening your arms and your runways to queens like me.”
“This is for every artist who dares to blur the lines, stitch the seams between worlds, and wear their truth like armor. Here’s to more crossovers, more magic, and more moments that make history. With all my love, welcome to the runway,” Utica concluded.
“Project Runway” returns to Freeform, Hulu, and Disney+ on July 31 at 9pm ET. Check out the full trailer for Season 21 below!
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’RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Joins the Cast of ‘Project Runway’ Season 21