So, picture this: It’s 2008, and you’re glued to your TV, watching a guy named Santino Rice on Project Runway. He’s got a Mohawk, a penchant for dramatic draping, and the confidence of a lion who just ate the canary. Remember when he told Tim Gunn his fabric choice was “genius”? Oh, the audacity, the delusion, the sheer entertainment.
That’s the Santino we fell in love with—the villain you secretly rooted for. He was chaotic, talented, and insisted that his 80’s-inspired prom dress was high fashion. But that was over a decade ago, and you’re probably wondering: Where is Santino from Project Runway now? Grab a coffee, because his journey is weirder and more fascinating than any season finale.
From Runway to… Chicken Farms?
After his Project Runway fame, Santino did what most designers don’t: he quit. He walked away from the fashion industry entirely. Like, fully ghosted the runway, the sewing machines, and the constant drama.
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Instead of launching a label, he moved to a farm. A literal farm, with chickens and pie baking. I’m not making this up—his Instagram once featured him holding a hen and smiling like a man who finally found peace. It was a sharp pivot from “you’re either in or you’re out” to “I’m going to go pet a goat.”
The Great YouTube Detour
But Santino couldn’t stay out of the spotlight for long. He found a new stage: YouTube, where he launched a channel called “Santino’s Big Mouth.” And let me tell you, it was a wild ride. He’d review fast food, talk about aliens, and occasionally, scream at the camera about being homeless. It was raw, unpolished, and honestly, a bit unsettling.
Remember when he went on a rant about how the moon landing might be fake? Yeah, that happened. He leaned hard into conspiracy theories, flat-earth stuff, and a general vibe of “I’ve seen behind the curtain.” It was a far cry from judging fabrics for a cocktail dress.
The “Psychic” Phase (I’m Not Joking)
Then things got weirder. Santino started claiming he could talk to the dead and do psychic readings. He even launched a website offering paid sessions where he’d connect you with your “spirit guides.” For a guy who once called a model’s walk “tired,” this was a surreal twist.
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He’d post videos about energy vortexes and chakras, all while wearing sunglasses indoors. It felt like he was trying to shed his reality-TV skin and become a mystic. But was he for real? The internet was split—some called it a scam, others swore he helped them. Either way, it was a bizarre chapter.
The Return of the Santino We Knew?
In 2020, Santino made a quiet comeback to Project Runway as a guest judge. Fans lost their minds. He looked older, calmer, and had shaved his iconic Mohawk. But his critiques? Still sharp, still hilarious. He told one designer, “This looks like a napkin,” and my heart soared.
Since then, he’s been low-key. No more psychic hotlines, no more flat-earth rants. He occasionally pops up on podcasts, talking about his “traumatic” experience on the show. He claims the producers edited him to be the villain, which, okay, we all saw the footage, Santino.
So, Where Is He Right Now?
Today, Santino lives in Los Angeles (or maybe Texas—he moves a lot). He’s not designing clothes, not doing fashion shows. Instead, he runs a small business selling crystals and handmade candles. Yes, really. He calls it “Santino’s Sanctuary.”
He’s also a certified life coach now. His website promises to “unlock your hidden potential.” Ironic, coming from a guy who peaked in Season 2 of a reality show? Maybe. But you have to admire the pivot. He went from ripping apart hemlines to telling people to “manifest their dreams.”
Santino Rice
The Big Question: Is He Happy?
That’s the million-dollar question. From his recent Instagram, he looks content—tanned, smiling, holding a cat. He’s said in interviews that Project Runway “broke him” but also gave him a platform to be himself. “I’m not a fashion designer,” he once said. “I’m just a guy who sewed dresses for a few years.”
Is that a cop-out? Maybe. But honestly, can you imagine Santino slaving away in a corporate fashion house? He’d combust. The man was born to be a free spirit, a provocateur, a chaotic force of nature. He’s living proof that Project Runway contestants don’t owe you a high-end label.
The Final Verdict on Santino Rice
So, where is Santino from Project Runway now? He’s a psychic, a crystal-seller, a chicken farmer, and a YouTube conspiracy theorist. He’s a mess, and I say that with love. He’s exactly where he wants to be: on the fringes, doing his own weird thing.
If you’re hoping for a redemption arc with a fashion runway finale, you’ll be disappointed. But if you appreciate a good “what happens when a reality star goes off the grid and starts talking to spirits” story, Santino is your guy. Just don’t ask him about the moon landing.
And hey, next time you see a candle labeled “Focus Blend” for $45, you know who made it. Probably.