Project Runway's AJ Thouvenot Spills on Tim Gunn, Gretchen, and His Fear of Nina Garcia

We'll get to our full Project Runway recap momentarily, but first, let's chat with last night's losing chatterbox, Mr. AJ Thouvenot. The St. Charles, Missouri native was sent packing after a grueling team challenge that was made no easier by his tyrannical team leader Gretchen. We spoke with Thouvenot about her behavior, Tim Gunn's harsh criticisms, and his Nina Garcia phobia.

First of all, what did you make of Tim Gunn's little speech at the end? Were you surprised that he stepped in and said, "How did you guys let Gretchen slap you around like that?" or however he worded it?

I was a bit surprised when he called out a contestant by name because I'd never seen that happen before. But it was one of those things where it was nice to have someone like Tim Gunn -- who, for me, was someone who was a great mentor and whose opinion I really respect -- say, "It is kind of this girl's fault, but at the same time, you let yourself take those directions." You know, we didn't have to take Gretchen's advice. That was certainly my decision and our team's decision. He was just trying to sit us down and be like, "In the future, make sure you do what you think you should be getting out." I was surprised, but it was also an important lesson learned and something I've taken with me moving forward now that I'm home.

When I saw your portfolio before the show started, I noticed your aesthetic could be described as, "Katy Perry attends her eighth birthday party," which was cool and different, but did you worry about how someone like Nina Garcia would receive you?

I was really worried about Nina in particular, because it's all about taste level. One of the things about my aesthetic is that I like things that are in bad taste. I think bad taste is fun. I think bad taste is what pushes fashion forward. So people who take fashion risks like Katy Perry or, like, Bjork with that swan dress -- those fashion risks -- are the things we really remember that push fashion forward. I guess I had to scale back quite a bit on the show, but I think I did well and I think I represented my style while still working within the parameters of the competition. I really surprised myself over and over, so I was happy with it.

You seemed to get more nervous as the challenges progressed. Were you building to a breaking point?

I felt really tense and stressed up until the point where Betsey Johnson came in as a guest judge. She was somebody who understood where I was coming from, who appreciated what I was doing despite the fact that it was in the bottom. She gave me a renewed sense of energy, and I felt better after that. In turn, after the Philip Treacy challenge, I turned out one of the best garments of my whole time in the competition. I started to hit my stride a little bit late, maybe too late. I was doing better toward the end than I was in the beginning, for sure.

The other contestants noted that you talked a lot in the workroom. Was it a shock to watch the episodes back and see people like Michael Costello whine in his confessionals about you?

[Laughs.] Not at all. I'm a Chatty Cathy in real life. I talk all the time. I'm somebody who's really opinionated, but I'm also somebody who's really direct, you know? Michael Costello says all those things about me behind my back, but anything I have to say about people I say to their face, which I think is important. It doesn't necessarily make it nicer, but I think it certainly makes a little more honest. But that doesn't surprise me coming from Michael Costello. He's... kind of like that.

Lastly, who are you rooting for in the competition?

I mean, April is my girl. And I think Andy is one of the most talented designers the show has ever had. So those two, definitely.