Project Runway Season 21: The Estradas Aren't The First Twins To Compete On The Show
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Twins Antonio and Jesus Estrada have had a rough go so far on Season 21 of Project Runway. Jesus originally competed on the design reality TV show nearly 15 years ago, and now he’s come back for a second shot at glory, this time bringing his brother along with him.

Early in the season, Jesus and the show’s latest judge, Law Roach, butted heads in a major way. There was also another moment when the designers had to pick someone to be eliminated, and the twins risked being torn about. Before the Estradas, though, fans will recall that there was another pair of twins who caused an even bigger stir.

Before The Estradas, There Were The Buitendorps

Back in Season 16 of the show, there was another set of twins who faced similar drama on the show. Claire and Shawn Buitendorp, who are identical twins, joined the competition as separate contestants, though, much like Jesus and Antonio, they often wound up helping one another with their looks. Viewers of this season will know that Jesus and Antonio have drawn criticism from their fellow cast members for working as a team, giving them an unfair advantage in the design challenges.

Claire and Shawn set the stage for Antonio and Jesus, as they were the first-ever siblings to compete on the show. Their time on Season 16, however, ended in tragedy. Midway through the season, the designers had a sew-off challenge, and it was becoming clear that both of the twins likely would not advance. At the last minute, Shawn chose to forfeit the competition so that her sister could continue.

That’s not where their story ended, however. Claire went on to win the challenge—but only for a short time. Later, it was revealed that Claire had kept measuring tools in her room, and that she’d worked on designs outside the workroom, which is strictly forbidden by the competition’s rules.

Project Runway Season 9, Episode 15
Via Peacock

Host Tim Gunn had to confront Claire about the situation to verify if this was true:

Is it true that you’ve had a measuring tape in your room? Is it true that you’ve been measuring garments in your room?

When Claire admitted this was correct, her challenge win was revoked, and she was eliminated from the competition the week after her twin sister.

Claire And Shawn Left A Mixed Project Runway Legacy

Though Claire and Shawn’s chances in the competition came crashing down in the end, their participation remains a huge part of the series’ lore. Their back-to-back elimination remains one of the most dramatic and talked-about moments in the franchise.

In a Reddit thread discussing the twins’ legacy, fans explained that they actually felt bad about the siblings being forced to compete against one another, with some even noting it was irresponsible of the show’s producers to cast both of them:

Between the two, I felt worse for Shawn. She kind of martyred herself which I do find a tad obnoxious, but I think she really couldn’t picture being there without her sister…and I think she was more skilled than her sister and they both knew it. Claire leaned on her way too hard and way too often. She was forever and ever asking Shawn for help, at the expense of Shawn’s time and energy, and Shawn never set a boundary. I get it, it’s hard to set boundaries with siblings, and a twin? That seems like it’s ten times as hard. This is the person who understands you better than literally anyone in the whole world. Of course they’re both afraid of losing each other (which makes me wonder why they did this show, but I’m guessing the producers said “come as a package or neither of you can come.”)

The Estrada twins from Project Runway

Project Runway Season 21: Who Did The Designers Vote Out Of The Competition? The Estrada twins, Jesus and Antonio.
Image via Disney

While it seems like Jesus and Antonio have been allowed to help one another without it being considered cheating, they continue to get on their competitors’ nerves. Only time will tell if their fate heads the way of Shawn and Claire.


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Project Runway


Release Date

December 1, 2004

Network

Lifetime, Bravo

Directors

Rich Kim, Ariel Boles


  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Diane von Fürstenberg

    Self – Judge

  • Heidi Klum

    Heidi Klum

    Self – Guest Judge

  • instar53630746.jpg

    Selma Blair

    Self – Audition Judge

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Roberto Cavalli

    Self – Co-Host / Mentor



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