Project Runway's April Johnston Talks to Movieline About Her Unfair Elimination, Michael C.'s Work, and Gretchen's Issues
April Johnston was Project Runway's baby this season, a 21-year-old college grad from Savannah, GA, who preferred black garments, light fabrics, and a droll one-liner every so often. We spoke with her about the show's pressing issues going into Fashion Week: the fairness of her elimination, the lionization of Michael C., and the mystery of Gretchen. She does not disappoint.
The judges laid into you for turning out similar garments throughout the season. Couldn't they have said that about any of the other designers -- like Mondo with his prints? Did their comments seem unfair to you?
Yeah. I think you're exactly right with that comment. We all have our things that we kind of are known for, you know? Mondo's is -- whenever they [showed] whatever he'd done throughout the season, I'd say, "I've seen that fabric numerous times." So yeah, I think it was a little bit abrupt for them to kind of call me out on something that a lot of the other designers also stick to. These are the things that make me think I was gone for a different reason, like that I didn't fit that role anymore. My story line was done or something. I just don't want to believe, I think, that it was because of my design.
While your design walked the runway, you said you believed your design was better than a couple others out there. Can you elaborate on that?
I hated Michael C.'s and I think a lot of people know how I feel about his work. I couldn't understand how he stood up there and didn't know what fabric he used. I felt it in the workroom, and it was acetate -- it was like, almost a heavy-fusion knit that he used. I just think as a designer you need to use these things. If you don't know every fabric, that's fine, but if you're going to design something, look a little bit more into it or research a little more into it. He just, you know, kind of did a number-five stitch on it and ruched together and put it on a cord. That's how a lot of his designs have been. And it's another dress. He's done a lot of dresses. I think that's the one thing I kind of felt conflicted about with my elimination -- and Gretchen as well. Her look was obviously vulnerable for elimination as well. But I was the one to go, so I don't know.
At different times this season, the judges picked random moments to suddenly adore Michael C. and lionize his work. I don't think the average fashion buyer would agree with them. Was their constant praise of Michael depressing?
I think him getting that kind of praise from the judges was definitely peculiar to me, coming right out of design school and knowing what forward fashion is. Project Runway, for me, was about being a new and creative and innovative designer, somebody that's up and coming. The stuff that he produces? Sure, that's fine. If that's what he produces, that's what he produces. But come on, honey, that's not forward fashion. You know what I mean? That's why I got so up in arms about it. I deeply believe it wasn't fair for him to surpass me in the competition. But in the real world, you're right, a lot of people wouldn't give him that praise.
Once and for all, set us straight about Gretchen. Sometimes she seems smart and other times she seems evil. And you seemed to get along with her at the end. So what's her deal?
OK, I'll let you in on this little Gretchen thing. The thing is, a lot of people thought I was starting to be, like, best friends with her toward the end of the show. What people don't realize is the production part of it. When we're the only two girls left stuck in a room, we can't just sit there in the morning on reality TV and just not talk to each other. We have to talk because people aren't going to understand what we're thinking or what we think of the boys in the competition, you know what I mean? So the producers tell us, "You guys have to talk to each other. You have to talk about this." So it's more or less like, we had to get along. I wasn't going to sit there and stir up some drama because I had to live with her, you know? I just wanted to make do, do my best, and not try to psych myself out about her by getting upset with what she had to say. She had told me numerous times that because I'd only won one challenge, I wasn't going to go on to Fashion Week. I thought that was kind of immature. I tried to tune her out towards the end and just get through with it. When she was on the runway talking about how she was tired of the challenges and all that, I really deeply felt that if you're tired of the challenges and sick of it all, then go home and let someone like me go who really wants it bad. That's where I kind of stand about the Gretchen situation.
Finally: Who do you want to win?
I would like to see Mondo win it. That's my personal opinion.
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Comments
You call this an interview? It's more like two bitter girls talking trash about everyone else in the girls' bathroom. April should have been gone long ago with her black, asymmetrical, sheer explosions. The fact that she had the nerve to call out Mondo, who is light years ahead of her in design, is laughable. The loaded questions you steered her with is almost as funny. Way to take advantage of idiotic youth to fill your pages.
What a petty, disappointing interview, with a bunch of softball leading questions (I agree with the other poster), and very little content. Is Louis Virtel Ivy's pen name or something? All the overwrought questions on the 'lionization' of Michael C., and the thought that the "average fashion buyer" would dislike Michael, whose work is extremely commercial (a good as well as a bad thing), just made me laugh.
I was most of all disappointed that after a season of incredibly over-the-top, cruel bullying by most contestants, including April (who could certainly do a pretty decent Mean Girl imitation when she wanted), that the interviewer didn't ask her about her own role in that. She was seen as allying herself with Ivy several times, making cutting or nasty comments, and laughing outright at the pain they caused, reveling in doing whatever the 'popular kids' group thought was best. It was shameful and embarrassing, and the only thing that made me recover any liking for April after that was the realization that she is only 21 years old, and will hopefully someday regret her behavior (although: why do none of these idiots seem to realize PR is one long job interview? You are on TV, sheesh, people, try to be at least semi-human!).
Also, sorry, but April seems just as arrogant as Gretchen (really, April? Conspiracy theories?). Her final dress was just a combo platter of April's go-to designs all the way through, just one more babydoll cut with sheer fabric and asymmetrical sleeve/neckline elements. And of course her go-to colors, black, black, and more black. Tim Gunn flat-out told her to think outside the box and show them some color, but the barely-there plum skirt was ridiculous. She deserved to be aufed.
Meanwhile, Michael C.'s final dress was stunning on the runway, so I really don't care whether he knew the fabric, or whether it was held together with duct tape and superglue. It worked, it looked lovely and timeless, and it made his model look incredible. The back of that dress was gorgeous. And while I want Mondo to win, I would have paid good money to see nasty Ivy's face when Michael not only rocked the challenge, but won the top spot in the final 4.
i've watched prw for years and it seems like this year the judges were much nastier with the criticism. really mean at times. i have to say they really missed a great opportunity when they eliminated april. maybe she used blacks a bit too much but the designs were great. and i believe this would be her break out moment. i think she would have changed to more colorful stuff and now we won't get to see that. that would have been a great story.
April is just a JEALOUS BULLY! Grow up APRIL! Michael is there cause he has talent...you are gone! You are a loser!
What a weird interview. From the title "Unfair Elimination " (who said it is unfair?), to the questions posted, it screams of bias. We learned nothing new about April--she hates Michael C, thinks so much of herself, and she's bitchy.
Well I think it was disgusting that April didnt make it to the final 4.
Michael C, WHAT, he just copied the Statue of Libery, OK, maybe the dress was nice, but where was the creativity, no imagination whatsoever, to top it off, all he did was a black dress. Even Tom Gunn tried to tell him that as he has numerous times before. What is it with these judges and Michael C. I think it was extremely unfair that April didnt make it. If the judges had ever once told her before not to keep using black and use more color, I am sure she would have. This is the first time they mentioned it. I too agree, there was so me other reason for elimination. I just dont get this thing these judges have with Michael C.
Project Runway really isn't about who's the best designer. It's about good TV. How real is reality TV? I'm not saying past winners didn't have talent, but how many of them are major designers now? Just like America's Next Top Model. Name one who a "top" model. I'm a journalist and I'm saddened that the interviewer didn't let the interview flow organically. Those questions were so biased and leading I thought I was reading something from Fox News.
If April is truly talented, she should use PR as a platform to spring her forward. Bitchy bitterness is never in style and she should think about her image more than vindication. A sore loser is so unattractive, but she can certainly parlay the experience into something lucrative. Just because she's young doesn't mean she has to act like a baby.
Well, being on TV has certainly seemed to bring out the very worst in this one-trick pony student designer. She has an overblown opinion of her own talent, and Kors's comment on her repretitiveness was spot on. After however many years in school, you would think April might know at least alittel about color, and try to use it, especially after Tim specifically warned her about that!! But no, she chooses to believe that this was all a conspiracy. Grow up, April. If I were hiring, I would not want a back-stabbing, self-important child on my team. So ungracious. And so wrong about Michael.
Bitter, bitter, bitter
Stupid interview. You have your own agenda as a writer, and it certainly showed. Think of a new occupation...you suck as this one.
I can't argue with any of what April says, though I'll agree that the interviewer's methods are less than journalistic. I thought most everything April said before I even read her interview. I thought the judges criticism of her designs as too similar came out of nowhere, considering they've quite liked everything she's done to this point, apart from the granny pants. I did suspect some sort of an agenda at work, though I wasn't sure what. I thought her last design was quite stunning coming down the runway and had the most impact of any of them. And lets be realistic, how different is Mondo from last season's Seth Aaron Henderson? It's good stuff, but different notes to the same song, wouldn't you say? I like Michael C. as a person and I'm quite enjoying seeing all those naysayers stabbing themselves in the eye with needles while he goes on to Fashion Week, but I have to agree with those who say he doesn't really have a POV. He's pulled things out of his rear at the last minute and that black dress was a bit of a snooze. Where was the innovation there? And as for Gretchen, who is her customer, please someone tell me? Art teachers in Taos? Sundance Catalog shoppers? Future Chico's clients? I've been baffled by the judges enthusiasm for her since that first silly and unwearable jumpsuit. So this is to say, April, I get you. I think there's a place for you in the fashion world, designing outfits for nightclubbers and rock stars and beautiful night people everywhere. Nice work, if you can get it. Go, April!
Tim says "knowing you past color pallette, " she has her hand on the black bolt of fabric, then she says " i know, iv'e got something up my sleeve" (or something like that), and you think she's going to push the black material back in - NO WAY, what does she do, she must have waited for Tim to walk away, then BAM, SHE BUYS THE BLACK, WHAT THE HELL??? are you always going to a funeral in your head? who are you designing for- the dead!!!
make the SAME STUPID DRESS in a black and white stripe or in yellow, or come on April - anything but the black, sooooo disappointing
I was very disappointed by this interview. I don't believe that April was asked any difficult questions at all, such as about the time she compared Gretchen with Hitler (although I personally think it's a pretty good comparison) and joined in with the others in harassing Michael Costello. Even at the end, she told Gretchen that she wanted Michael Costello "gone." I think April has a better heart than that, and I think, because of her age, she gave in to peer pressure. She is only 21.
As for her elimination, I do believe she was the one who should have been eliminated. She does have a point that other designers stick with the stuff they are good at and like to do, but the judges will send you home if your design is poorly made, even when it is a design that was not "safe." In my opinion, April's designs were becoming very numbing because it seemed she always used black in her designs, along with the asymmetry she likes to show. But I also thought that her dress was poorly made. The back of the dress looked very overwrought to me, as did other parts of the dress. Michael Costello's dress was simpler, yes, but well made, and a joy to watch. April's was not. Gretchen's design was very bad as well, but at least the jacket was well made, even if it was ugly.
After looking at April's "stealth" collection she made for the runway, I must say she did finally listen. Not much black there, and some of the looks she designed with white are spectacular. If only she had listened to Tim sooner.
After seeing
I do have to say- has michael c. ever even made a sleeve??? never mind a pant, or even a skirt, have any of you michael fans NOTICED THIS, it is a very valid point. NO SLEEVES, NONE, if i were him, i'd be worried about doing a whole collection for fashion week, and it also gives the other 2 designers a HUGE advantage. so, as far as April picking on michael c, i would be bitter if i lost to a NON SLEEVE MAKER, yeah, i defend her comments against michael, they are TOTALLY justified.
Staying true to yourself is fine. Having your own look/style is fine...but THIS is a competition, so there's talent, judges, and "playing the game." On the challenge who decides who goes to FW (or still is in the running) comes up and she puts something our there that could have (seriously) been presented in ANY of the other challenges...well, I guess she IS young. And as far as being "Fashion Forward," I live in downtown Seattle, go to NYC appoximently twice a year, and I have yet to see (even in clubs) any women prancing about in her black, sheer, nightgownish (shortie or bathrobe) anywhere. Where do these fashion forward women wear her "looks?" Anyhoo, as Sir Suntan (who seems much paler this season) said re: Michael C. and his knowledge (or lack thereof) of the fabric he used, "He may not have know it's name, but he knew what it would do and how to use it." Here, here Mr. Kors. Regardless of what the final collections look like, Mondo simply IS so above and beyond the rest of the pack, the victory is already his, as (IMHO) it should be. He has it all. Talent, creativity, drive, ambition, and a great starting off point. This may be the most anti-climactic Proj: RW ending in history!
Completely agree about the anticlimactic finale. At this point, no one can win but Mondo. I'm having sudden psychic pangs that Andy will lose next week too, making Mondo's win somehow more inevitable.
April you are awesome! It is one thing to make comments the day after we discover she has missed this opportunity, it's another to give credit where its due. As a young graduate, she has already acquired what many spend a lifetime career trying to meet. Envy comes in all forms. Give praise where it is due! She has the rest of her lifetime, to develop skills for PR, use these lessons learned, create fabulous lines of clothing and say she was in the top 5 for Project runway! And you?
I just watched Michael C's elimination and that was so totally unfair. Not to playdown anyone's situation but Gretchen should have never made it into the final lineup because her clothes were just plain drab. One step above Granny designs. April is just bitter and has a lot to learn.
P.S FOR THE PRODUCERS.
Iknow that people are inspired by their experiences and background but set aside the bullshit and come with honest decisions and let the truly talented competitors advance. Judges should base their decisions on the talent and ability to complete each task as specified... not on all the drama induced emotions that cirulate from the knowledge of individual contestants pasts. Rich, poor, healthy or unhealthy, american or non-american.....talent is talent and should be judged on its own merit. Being a model does not imply knowledge of fashion, but I guess you cannot bite the hand that pushes the envelope.
She's been rude and talked negatively about everyone on the show to make herself look better and her styles look like poorly dressed people at the mall. Michael has always been the bigger, more professional personal who is a hell of better designer than Gretchen.
SHE HAS NO RESPECT FOR MICHAEL, NINA, HEIDI AND TIM. SHE'S A SPOILED BRAT. WORST CHOICE IVE EVER SEEN ON THE SHOW.
April, sorry, you deserved to go home when you did. You may have felt your design was better than Micheal's but no I spoke to thought so. You are also a bitter, catty jerk and I hope you haven't shot yourself in the foot career-wise by putting out such nasty PR for yourself. Remember Ivy? "I believe in Karma" *bing* needle to the eye! I swear this season seemed to be filled with self centered bullies and it really turned me off as a fashion consumer. I'd never support anyone I saw behave this way. Not cute at all..
April is a mediocre talent at best but she's sure a Class A Bitch.
As she won't be getting too far in fashion, she might want to try auditioning for "Mean Girls II" as one of the plastics.
When has Michael made a sleeve? I easily recall that he made a jacket for the outerwear requirement in the Jackie Kennedy challenge (while other designers resorted to a fur stole, a vest, and other sleeveless items). I'm sure there must have been other sleeved garments made by Michael but I have already spent more time answering your question than it deserved.
It is very unattractive to be so bitter and negative towards Michael C. I really came to dislike April for it. Time to grow up
April is not a bully, she is blunt and honest! There is a big difference! She may be bitter, but she is hurt. She was tired of Michael C.'s and Gretchen's BS, and all she wants to do is design clothes and she is great at it! She has a lot more talent then most of the designers. Most of you are calling her mean? When most of your comments are horrendous to a girl you don't even know. Hypocrisy is all I see here.
That was the worst interview I've ever read. She was spoon-fed Gerbers Easy Questions for Twenty-Onesies.
I was thrilled to see her booted from the show.
She is B.O.R.I.N.G. Her designs are boring (and how they can be hysterically-funny bad AND boring at the same time is a wonder).
Her constant "blah blah blah everyone will see I can do this even though I'm only 21" and "blah blah blah and it's not my fault I screwed up that challenge because I'm only 21." 21.21.21.21.21. Give it a rest. She used her age as either a crutch to shift blame to something else (her age) or as something to augment a positive ("I won a challenge which is absolutely stop-the-presses because I'm only 21").
And her parents' divorce. Sufferin' Jesus, give that a rest. too. She really is not the only person whose parents have ever divorced, but that is a cross she is not willing to let go of.
As my mother used to say when any of us girls was in the throes of premenstrualness and was playing martyr about some stupid thing or another, "Put your feet together, darlin', we only have one nail."
And April's attempts to re-write history with her disclaimer about her relationship with GJ. Up until April won ONE challenge, she said snarky things about Gretchen, laughed at her grandpa sweater, etc., etc. But once April won achallenge, she was "in with the in crowd," and to see her and Gretchen spooning on the bitch couch while others were still on the runway was nauseating. Plus, April immediately jumped onboard GJ's scapegoat-Costello bus, and became one of the meanest and most cruel of them all.
What is so precious from this h-job-to-April interview is her queenliness in her critique of MC not knowing what the fabric was.
Here's a clue, April--April? climb down off that cross immediately! As I was saying, April...Everyone has their own creative style. Except from the vantage point of an "I've-been-to-fashion-school(even-though-I'm-only-21" elitist, it doesn't matter if they know what the fabric is, it's what they can do with it.
MC has something you lack, and it will be what cripples you throughout your career--and that's resilience.
How would YOU like to have suffered the scapegoating MC suffered? Have two bitches spoon and coo crap and derisive comments about your kills in front of the entire world? Have to listen to snark and snipes, with only one person who would stick by your side?
Neither GJ or April, or any of the other GJ toadies, could have withstood what they put MC through.
So April got FAR better than she deserved, both as a designer and as a human being. Her ONE challenge win she didn't deserve, and should have been thrown out long before.
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