by Todd Betzold

 

This got electric this week on Project Runway All Stars, as the designers added innovation and technology to their designs in creating an avant garde look using lighting technology. With the runway lit by blacklights, this was a first for Project Runway. As fun as it was to watch, some of the designers missed the mark. It was Michael Costello and Jerell Scott in the bottom two and the judges decided to unfortunately send home Jerell. Today he spoke to RealityWanted and other reporters in a conference call about his experiences on Project Runway All Stars.

 

Q. What made you return to All Stars?
A. Jerell: It's like a once in a lifetime opportunity, so if you get a second chance at a once in a lifetime...I say go for it girl.

 

Q. What did you think of the judges' response to your outfit last night?
A. Jerell: I have to pretty much agree with them. It was actually a fun challenge...that's part of the game, you know it's going to be these wild, crazy ass challenges to push yourself, which is the whole Project Runway experience. So, had I ever worked with light, of course not, but had any of us, no. It's like trial and error and sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don't, but what I do know is that there is absolutely not a moment to second-guess yourself or doubt yourself. So, you have to move forward with it and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I'm not delusional, that black skirt was too damn long...my Mom taught me better than that.

 

Q. Do you keep in touch with any of the designers or judges/guest judges on the show?
A. Jerell: No, I don't keep in touch with them. For me, let me tell ya, I love Georgina Chapman...I am obsessed with her. I think she is so talented and not only that, but I could stare at her ass all day long because she is scrumptiously gorgeous. I'm gay, but she is hot.

 

Q. Last night you asked Joanna her fashion pet peeve. Could you tell us what your fashion pet peeve is?
A. Jerell: Fashion pet peeves...skinny jeans. First off, I think beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, but if you happen to be a pear-shaped man, skinny jeans are not for you and I don't care how low you sag them, that's not the business. But that's something that really, really upsets my stomach. Also, counterfeit bags...it's ok, you don't have to have the monogrammed bags, none of these generic-ass Donna Karan black satchels. Fake bags just make me sick because you don't have to a real bag.

 

Q. What was your favorite challenge this season?
A. Jerell: All-in-all, they were all pretty damn fun. I think it was a good batch of challenges and I'm happy there wasn't anything like the UPS challenge. My least favorite was Miss Piggy, just because it's a little difficult to wrap one's mind around what they really wanted us to create for a Muppet. Literally, she's rocked all sorts of shit, so I pretty much know she focuses on herself from the hips up, so that was a little tricky, but outside of that it was all pretty fun.

 

Q. You certainly sound very happy and upbeat and have no regrets with what you have done. Are there any regrets of what you did last night or anything you have done on Project Runway All Stars that you may have changed?
A. Jerell: Honestly, I have to say, and I'm not just being full of shit, honestly no. I'm a very fun-loving, go-with-the-flow kind of guy...I believe everything happens for a reason. You don't have to worry about hiding the razors from me...I'm not in the restroom crying and shivering in the shower...I'm fine. It was absolutely cool...I had fun with it and I think that's what is really important...enjoy the process and have fun with it because at the end of the day it's a television show. Of course, it's an amazing opportunity, but you can't take anything too seriously and so I don't.

 

Q. What can we expect next from you?
A. Jerell: I just launched my low-priced collection Haute Catastrophe Jerell Scott for everyday consumption and that's available on my website, www.jerell-scott.com. And it's actually at a price-point that people can afford, which was a disconnect I had during my original season...pretty much my background is in extremely expensive clothes that 1/100 of the population can actually afford...quite real, I can't afford my shit either, but this is something the real people can rock.

 

Q. Who are you supporting as we go forward...who do you think will take it all?
A. Jerell: I have to say the caliber of the designers this whole season, I was shocked. There are so many familiar faces that I have seen from TV and I am huge fans of these people and unlike the original season where there were those three or four people who couldn't cut it with the attention of the cameras in your face or the time constraints of the challenges where all these people had gone through that and could handle that and all had very strong points of view, so I say at this point may the best man or Kenley win. I'm happy for all of them...they all have strong points of view, just do the damn thing. Even though Austin had some shit to say about me this season, I love him. I think he's such a real and genuine person and sometimes I don't think you see it behind all the uber-fabulous, golden girl red carpet looks he wears, but he really is a real person.

 

Q. What it's like living in that hotel while you are competing and living together?
A. Jerell: It was actually fun...Project Runway is so focused on the work there is not a lot of downtime, so it's not like Flava of Love with a bunch of drunk bitches hanging around a hot tub. You work all damn day, you come home, maybe tilt back a glass or two of wine, pass out and wake up 20 minutes later and do it all again.

 

Q. What would you like to say to everyone that is a fan of you and supporter throughout the show?
A. Jerell: Um, thank you (laughs)...just thank you. For me, when I tell ya this is what I love to do, this is my passion, I am like a little kid with a drawing I just did for my Momma and I'm like, look, look, look Mommy. I am so passionate with what I do, so for people that are moved with what I do or have some sort of positive response to it I just say thank you...you make me feel amazing to be able to create pieces that help people express who they are...some people enjoy my sass or my bone structure or whatever it is.

 

Project Runway All Stars airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Lifetime.

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

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