by Todd Betzold

It was the avant-garde challenge on Project Runway and with only five more designers left, it was do or die on this challenge. The winning designers were heading to Fashion Week, but the losing designer was headed home. With the pressure on, Sonjia Williams created a look that the judges were torn on and decided she was too inconsistent with her designs and sent her home. Today she spoke to RealityWanted and other reporters in a conference call about her experiences on Project Runway.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: On the last challenge, you got back to the workroom and you were missing some gold material. Do you think that affected the look that you designed and if you did have it, would you still be there?
A. Sonjia: I'm not really a shoulda, woulda, coulda person. Everything happens for a reason. I still created a garment that I feel really great about. I didn't have one particular look in mind anyway. Although I would have liked to have that fabric, I think I made something that I am proud about without it.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: During the season, what was your favorite challenge?
A. Sonjia: Oddly enough, it might have been the baby challenge. It was really difficult. I think out of all the challenges, it was the one I was most proud of because I've never attempted to do baby clothes ever. So to attempt it and, in my opinion, execute it well. It was well enough to win and have my look produced at Babies R Us around the globe is really an accomplishment for myself.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: With only four designers left, are you personally rooting for anyone to win this season?
A. Sonjia: I have a really good relationship with all of the designers. I think they all offer something different to the table, so I'm happy for the person who does win.

Q. You were all about girl power this season. Did you connect with any of your fellow female designers in particular?
A. Sonjia: I think I connected with the girls in my room, because I got to see them more than anyone else, whether it was in the early morning or evening. Originally in my room were Elena and Alicia. Alicia was actually my roommate and I think her and I connected pretty well, and also Lantie, but Lantie left early on. It ended up being me, Elena, Alicia and Melissa, so those are the four that I'm closest to and still keep in contact with. The first two challenges were both girls gone, so we were like we gotta get some guys out of here (laughs).

Q. What can we expect to see next from you?
A. Sonjia: That's a good question. I think I'm asking myself the same thing (laughs). I'm never going to stop designing. It's something that I'm very passionate about doing. I definitely want to take these opportunities and take on whatever comes my way.

Q. Would you take a turn on All Stars if give the opportunity?
A. Sonjia: I don't know. Originally I said hell no just because of the craziness that happens with the show, but I can't say. If the opportunity does come and I think about it, I can't say no because then I look like a hypocrite.

Q. You had won a lot of challenges and seemed on top, but then went to the opposite side of the spectrum and were sent home. Did you have a feeling they wouldn't like it as much as you did or no?
A. Sonjia: It was a surprise to me. I did perform really well on some of the challenges and some challenges not so well. They may have seen it as being inconsistent, but I think everyone in the competition has inconsistencies. There was no one that was never in the bottom. I think I was one of the designers that was most well-rounded. It was more important to me to show that I can pants, I can make jackets, I can make dresses. Anything you put my way, I can make it versus making a dress every time. I'd rather show that I have a lot more to offer as a designer. To show that I can make any type of garment and I did make every type of garment. For me, I wanted to show that side of me versus making safe garments that they would definitely like. I did perform well and the only designer that did win more challenges than me was Chris, so it does make you think I don't deserve to go.

Q. What was going through your mind when you were standing up there in the bottom two?
A. Sonjia: With me and someone else standing up there, there is obviously a 50-50 chance that either I'm safe and I am going home. Even being in the bottom, I've never been the last two people standing up on the stage. There was always that sigh of relief. So of course my heart was racing and at that point, I felt that I made something that I felt great about. It's so hard in a competition like that, where you have all those crazy restraints and you have a roller coaster of emotions and so much is going through your brain all the time. It was always very important to me to make things that I felt great about because whether they love it or hate it, if I go home for something, I want to say I still loved it. At the end of the day, it's a matter of opinion. Being up there, there was a chance I was going to Fashion Week and there was a chance I was going home and I was willing to accept either way.

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

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

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