Whatever Happened To Mondo Guerra From Project Runway?
Longtime "Project Runway" fans will undoubtedly remember Mondo Guerra for his quirky style and personality ... and, of course, the Season 8 loss that prompted a major tongue-wagging from Tim Gunn. However, that loss was just the beginning of this designer's journey.
To recap, during his time on the show, Mondo Guerra was beloved by viewers — and they weren't the only ones. In fact, in the wake of his loss to Gretchen Jones, OG "Project Runway" host Heidi Klum made it clear that she had been gunning for him as well. Case in point: She donned one of his designs on the show to the premiere of "Black Swan." And, if that wasn't indication enough, she also told the now-defunct Modelinia.com that Guerra had been "one of [her] favorites." Gunn, meanwhile, was a little less diplomatic. In an interview at 92Y, he revealed that Klum had gone so far as to pause judging at the finale to ask him who his top pick was between Guerra and Jones. "I said, 'Well, Mondo, of course!'" he recounted. The longtime "Project Runway" mentor concluded his tirade with, "Completely crazy outcome. I'm happy for Gretchen, but ... " Cue a playful shrug to hint at the contrary.
Given Klum and Gunn's sentiments — and the rapturous applause afforded to the latter — it's pretty clear that Guerra was the undisputed fan favorite of Season 8, winner or not. Just one question: What did he do after the show?
He came back for the first ever Project Runway All Stars
As the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try again in "All Stars."
Mondo Guerra might not have won his first go at "Project Runway," but that didn't stop the designer from coming back for the franchise's first "All Stars" iteration. Once again, he made it to the finale ... though this time, he walked away a champion. However, winning the prize was just part of what motivated his return. Asked by DigitalSpy about the deciding factor in entering again, Guerra revealed that it was all about the platform. "Even going into Season 8, I never thought of it as an opportunity to win a big prize and that's about it. It was an opportunity to be visible," he told the outlet. It was a sentiment he doubled down on in an interview with The Cut. "It was really just an opportunity and a platform to exhibit my talents," he said, adding that winning was an unexpected (though certainly welcome) addition to that.
Well, gain a platform, he certainly did! At the time of writing, his online store has sold out of most items, and in January 2023, he exhibited at New York Fashion Week. Oh, and he's also thrown a few "lewks" together for another reality competition show – "RuPaul's Drag Race."
Mondo Guerra's love affair with reality TV has lived on
Mondo Guerra wasn't kidding when he spoke of the power of reality TV. In fact, he's been involved in a number of competition shows in the years since he joined the "Project Runway" franchise.
For starters, back in 2014, he teamed up with Tim Gunn and a number of "Project Runway" alums for the spinoff, "Under the Gunn." Guerra served as one of the show's mentors. That was an exceptionally sweet role — especially because after his first stint on "Project Runway" Season 8, he admitted to Marie Claire that he'd never had a mentor prior to Gunn — and because of that, he was "really intimidated by him." Talk about a full-circle moment! But his newfound mentoring abilities didn't stop there. In 2019, he returned with another spinoff, "Runway Remake" — and this time, he was the host. In yet another full-circle moment, Guerra told Parade that while he'd been nervous at first, he truly leaned into the mentoring role he'd come to love. "I hope it comes across that I loved the process because I really did," he gushed.
There's no denying that Guerra has done big things since his time on "Project Runway." However, this is one past participant who's never forgotten where he got his big break. That only makes sense, though. As he told Parade, "I really, really, really love the fan base." It's safe to say, the feeling is mutual.