Project Runway Castoff Ivy Higa Dishes on Michael C., Disses Gretchen, and Picks Her Favorite Designer
Ivy Higa was one of Project Runway's most confident season-eight contestants. The 30-year-old Hawaiian native and current New Yorker also had her share of controversial moments: harsh barbs towards her fellow designers, erratic runway behavior, and even a fainting spell. Higa opened up to Movieline this morning about being seen as a "bitch," patching wounds with Michael C., and the problem with Gretchen.
Very early in the season, you fainted on your way back to the apartments. What happened there? Was it just stress-related?
I think it was just that -- you know, it's so funny, Val is so funny -- Valerie thought I didn't eat the entire day, Valerie and Gretchen did. But actually, I didn't drink enough water that day, and it was 103 degrees in New York. They actually have to shut down the air conditioning when they do filming because the microphones are so sensitive. I just didn't drink enough water that day, yeah. It was crazy. So when I went back after we got done working that day, coming off the elevator I remember feeling nauseous and completely dizzy, and then I completely blacked out. I don't remember too much of what happened until I was in the ER room.
In the challenge where you showcased your designs in an exhibition, you accused Michael C. of telling the patrons you were "the bitch" on the show. The editing didn't show any evidence that he'd said that -- like you'd made it up. Can you explain why you guessed that he was talking behind your back?
I know! Like I was making that up! It was so funny that they didn't get that on camera because people actually came up to me -- they had 100 people who came to the showing -- and I can't understand who would make it up to tell me that. You know what I mean? I'd went to Valerie, and Valerie said she'd heard the same thing and they heard that on camera. I didn't understand why people would think I made it up, though it did look like it just came out of nowhere. A few people attending the event came up to me and said, "I hear you're the bitch of the show and I hear we're not supposed to vote for you -- or we were told not to vote for you." It completely caught me off-guard. I thought we were there to showcase our work. Yeah, it kind of got me emotional and heated.
Once when Michael C. won a challenge, he came backstage, announced that he'd won, and you muttered, "Of course you did" to him. Can you explain how you came to be that hostile with him?
It's just funny too because the cameras aren't always going to be on, and they're not going to catch everything. It's funny because Michael and I actually are friends now. But you're put into a really messed-up situation and you're under a lot of stress. We all thought that Mondo should've won that challenge. It's nothing against Michael on a personal level, but what you don't see is that Michael antagonized a lot of us while the cameras were off. So it led us to having a bad taste in our mouths. But I told him also it wasn't fair for all of us to gang up on him and dislike him. It's all the past now, we're moving forward. He's a very good guy and very talented.
You were eliminated last night, but you ranked in the Top 2 for the previous challenge. Did it disappoint you to go home after that triumph?
Oh, no! I was ready. In retrospect I really believe it was my time to go. I think I needed to just show Nina that I am a true designer because she'd heard I was a great seamstress, but she didn't know if I was a great designer. So on the last challenge, I presented myself as a great designer. That in itself -- I did what I needed to do for this show.
Who do you want to win?
I always thought Mondo should've won everything. Between Mondo and Andy, they're both so talented and such visionaries. Great people and very, very talented. The way they put fabric together, they're just amazing.
You know, the eliminated designers always tell me they want Mondo or Andy to win. Why never Gretchen? I hear she comes off nicer in person.
Who said she's a nice person? [Laughs.] I'm kidding. I'm also an honest and direct person, and it gets misconstrued as being a bitch. I'll own that. But I'm very genuine and I can only speak for myself. What I would say to someone's face is what I'd say to someone not in front of me -- and I know there are people who've said that Gretchen is... otherwise. I don't know; I think Gretchen is talented, but I think that Andy and Mondo are far better designers than she is.
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Comments
I think that Ivy was appeared to be very catty and bitter when she came back and accused Mike c. of cheating, and I think she she is a bit of a 'look at me ' attention seeker with the accusing him of telling people he said she was 'the Bitch of the show' and none of the millions of cameras caught it or people telling her about it, and then passing out, and coming back and accusing Mike C. of cheating, once again none of the zillion cameras caught it. Why would he be in the girls bathroom anyway? Ivy your a hot mess and EVERY ONE KNOWS IT! Do us all a favor and next time you want to throw some one under the bus make it your self!
Oh my god, this woman is a HORRIBLE human being. She's permanently stuck in Junior High Lunchroom mentality. Thank god she lost. She's right about karma. It was proven when she got her ass kicked off the show.
that bitch!!! I hope she gets kicked off the planet. She needs a serious reality check.
Ivy, you're such a bitter bitch! We feel so angry looking at you on TV for blaming Michael for your own shortcomings in fashion design. You're a such bad designer, you should focus on approving your skills rather than denigrating others!!!
OMG-this chick is such a POS. She is rude, catty, conceited and simply horrid. I really hate her. Even in this article she has to throw someone under the bus. What is her problem? I seriously hope Micheal C is NOT friends with her now, come on Mike, do not be so stupid as that. Just watch the show again to see what she really is.
A piece of low life trash out for herself. And hey Ivy, your cloths really sucked to. I do not even understand how you got on the show or lasted as long as you did.
I did not like IVY. She was a bitch and very hot headed. She not only threw Michael C down, she threw her partners down in the other challenges. I think she is one of the most untalented, annoying designers the show ever had. I admit I liked her fashion with the shear jacket but anything beyond that really sucked. I think in the last one where she got kicked off she had an uglier dress more than anyone. She always tries to look for an excuse for why things do not work out her way. She is not the girl I would trust to get things done in a firm because the only person she looks out for is herself and I picture her getting someone fired to look out for herself and getting bitchy like a little ten year old and stomping into the manager's office to complain. She also loves to get attention especially in the last show where she came back and accused michael. It was so damn immature how she flaunted it around like she was the hero of the group when everyone was just sick of her crap. She was the first one to light the fire against him and I feel she turned others against him. If she can't take the crap people tell her about her work then she is just a sore loser to begin with. Yes I think Michael C can sew. Do I think he is the best designer of the season? No, but at least he is trying and does create better clothing than her. As far as other commenting about how he had no vision on one of the shows and said he is all over the place. Its a competition and I would definitely be listening to the judges and tailoring my designs to win. In the long run getting the 100,000 to get YOUR FASHION line started counts. It really does not give a shit if you have a vision if the design sucks and the judges don't like it. Glad your off the Show IVY!! Good riddens!!!!
oh yeah as far as to your question that you KNOW Michael C was talking behind you back. Get a reality check! Its a show! Everyone spoke behind your back. Competition and so forth you put your self in the position to be spoken about. If you put yourself in the spot and can't take what other say about you then you have a lot to face and learn in the real world. You are just going to be bitchy and bitter you entire life because someone will always have something to say about you. Gossip behind anyone's back sucks when its heard about but the fact that you dont realize that you are on a show where its meant to is retarded you acted the way you did. You could have been the better person and not lashed out at you team players. You are obviously not a team player!!! Working as a team means you get the job and leave you shitty comments about them at home and not act like a child to the judges or managers in you future career choice.
Ivy, I never feel the need to comment about reality shows, but you are seriously jealous of everyone around you. Stop saying that "you're real" and you can "own being 'misconstrued' as a bitch". You are a jealous bitter biznatch and nothing better. You are not a good or even mediocre designer. You are a pattern maker. You don't have the vision that artists have - you basically copy what Gap and Express have been doing for the past 15 years for girls that are of "average" weight. Stop calling other people out for copying and cheating because really girl, you are only trying to hide the fact that you do the exact same thing. Accept who you are in life and you'll be much happier! I can only hope you find something or someone that can make you less bitter otherwise you are doomed to live a lonely empty life.
Its pretty funny how Ivy mentions Karma in her arrogant way and then the designer she "helped" out ends up being sent home for making cheap looking clothes. I haven't seen a single item of clothing made by Ivy that didn't look like it was made in a 7th grade sewing class and then she adds her losing touch to Christopher's collection. What a joke you are Ivy Higa...a joke AND a totally classless bitch.
It's sad that the news is full of stories about people committing suicide due to excessive bullying, while over on Project Runway bullying has been taken to a frightening level by over half of the designers. The worst bully is the passive-aggressive liar Ivy. Ivy Higa, you aren't "seen as the bitch," you are "KNOWN as the bitch." I hope you don't think for a second that your whitewashing attempts will be successful because they won't be. You can't try to wave away how you meanly went after other designers, mostly Michael C, because you are an evil, soulless bitch. Karma does happen, and proof is that now the millions who watch Project Runway know your true character (or lack thereof). No one with two brain cells to rub together would want to work with you in any capacity, and no one will want to support you and your vile ways.
What a funny interview. "Confident"...um, there's a difference between being confident and being a massively bitter bitch. I could almost deal with her bitchiness, if she had any talent at all. I just hope she goes on-line and sees how the public views her. Hopefully, I won't have to view her ever again!
Please, Ivy is going after Michael C. and telling him he cheated and he back stabbed everyone. Again I say PLEASE!!! Talk about karma coming back to get you. I can tell you now that Ivy (aka the BITCH ) is going to be the one to "get hers" one day . I have never every seen Michael C. be nasty to anyone, while on the other had Ivy spits her venom every show. Just look at her face and you can see she doesnt have a good bone in here body. She reminds me of the mean girls club in school where they would find someone to pick on and then make them cry. Isnt it funny that Michael C. is still there while Ivy has been relinquested to the role of helper seamstress. And shame on the rest of you for jumping on the Ivy the Bitch bandwagon. Thank goodness Mondo had the balls to actually say he liked Michael C. Michael the camera doesnt lie...we know who is the good guy and whos the bitch ...and *Snap* it aint you!
Ivy has absolutely no credibility. Her hatred of Michael C is so far beyond rational it calls her mental stability into question.
I didn't understand Ivy's accusations of Michael C. telling people at the bridesmaid-dress challenge not to vote for at the time, and I don't understand her accusation now. Think about it: PR brings 100 random people in, they each get one vote. Even if it were true (Michael C. telling people not to vote for her), which I don't believe it is, I don't believe anyone would do it. It just doesn't make sense. None of those people knew him or her or any of the designers; if you're asked to vote on what you like, you're going to vote on what you like, not b/c a stranger told you to (or not to).
My guess is that Ivy is so delusional that she doesn't even realize how poorly she came across on the show.
Please - Ivy saw - and I'm sure - heard how awful she was on tv, now is trying to make amends. Even now she STILL says Michael C should not have won on that episode and then says "nothing personal".
She is being portrayed exactly how she is - AWFUL!
This woman is ridiculous. She's just a total joke.
Not only is Ivy a known liar she also has little talent. Her designs were never interesting or innovative. It became readily apparent that she is a person of little character when she began her bullying campaign against the very lovable Mike C.
Karma is a bitch and it hit Ivy smack dab in the eye, what a lovely moment.
Michael C came across as a very likable person and will be able to take any contacts from the show with him. It's highly unlikely that anyone of importance would ever give Ivy a lead or job....no one wants to work with a person as mean spirited as her.
She claims she was ready to go when she was kicked off the show but she came back with such bitter rage against Michael C because she thought he took her spot....ha! She a liar. And then her accusations began, mean nasty girl that she is.
I am certain we will never she her become successful in the design world.
She's ugly in so many ways.....her family must feel so much shame.
Aside from the design portfolio, PR should require its contestants to take psychological tests first before joining the show. Good thing Tim Gunn was there to end Ivy's senseless bitching.
I have to wonder if Ivy has really hurt her career with all of that venom she produces. I'm looking forward to the reunion show because you know that these designers have been on line reading fan comments. How do Ivy and Gretchen get past the very ugly of their self presentation. I can't see Gretchen getting further than Gap or American Eagle lines. She just lacks imagination as her color choices prove. Ivy? Those dresses that sent her home? OMG they may have gotten her a pass in high school Home Ec but that's as far as they go. I think Ivy really hurt self professionally and it will be interesting to see how she tries to do damage control, but something tells me she needs to hire someone to do it for her. What an ugly ugly person.
Ivy, so delusional, so egotistic, so talentless and jealous of others, yet she thinks she can do no wrong.
The best part of the latest episode was when Heidi was talking to Michael C "Who was it that said you couldn't sew? Oh SHE'S NOT HERE".
Even professionals in the industry think you a talentless, bitchy hack Ivy. Give it up. Someone in an earlier comment said something about throwing yourself under a bus. I couldn't agree more.
I agree about the psych testing. But I confess that the drams is working, normally I would have elected to watch PR the following day online opting for Grey's and Private Practice and instead I'm watching those two shows on my PC a day later. What I really liked was the both PR and Top Chef were produced in a manner that allowed the contestants to overall maintain their professional standing, now it looks like those bets are off! Of course, how damaged is Ivy going to be because she sucks as a designer.
I found Miss Ivy to be even more catty and delusional then Gretchen (ivy even was dissing Gretchen while saying lovely things to her face)
she will not be missed and hopefully she can get help for her aggressive case of bitterness which really harms other people.
Ivy is absolutely a bitch. She is catty and a liar. Not only that, but her designs were not even that great as she thinks they are. She's psychologically stuck in a middle school mindset bullying.
You want to know what's really funny, Ivy? You have no class. Plenty of people can be genuine and are fully capable of speaking for themselves without tearing down other people. At least you're intelligent. You knew it was your time to go.
Yes, I'm sure the camera crews and the whole PR crews have picked to paint you as a bitch. The editing has misled people to see the true Ivy. Ha!! You are an absolute liar & sore looser. Michael C., pls don't ever believe anything she says. Ivy may be a good seamstress ...that's all she has....she can't claim she's a designer. No taste in fabric choice, color or style. I wouldn't buy Ivy's design even if they only cost $10 at the Blowout Sale.
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