Law Roach had no plans to soften his Project Runway judging style despite viewers calling him too harsh. The fashion stylist defended his blunt critiques while admitting the reality competition had delivered plenty of drama.
Roach addressed the backlash at the 2026 Emmys after the latest season wrapped. He also stirred fresh curiosity by offering confusing updates about Zendaya and Tom Holland’s reported marriage.
Law Roach defends his harsh Project Runway critiques and says honesty is exactly why he’s there
Speaking with Refinery29 on the Emmys red carpet, Roach explained why he refused to sugarcoat his opinions. “The real world is harsh. Corporate America is harsh,” he said.“Anything that we do and we put ourselves in a place to be judged is harsh,” Roach continued. “Social media is harsh.” The stylist then made his position clear. “I don’t know what people want me to be. I’m going to be honest,” he told the publication.
Roach added that honesty remained the reason he had joined the judging panel. He acknowledged that viewers could dislike his approach, but he considered that part of the job. “People have the right to have their opinion about the way I critique,” he said. “Some people love it. Some people don’t.”
Roach returned for Project Runway Season 22 alongside Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Tyra Banks. He had previously teased the season’s messy energy while speaking with PEOPLE. “There’s a lot of drama, which makes the show great,” Roach told the publication. He also enjoyed the tension among the judges and admitted, “I like to push everyone’s buttons.”
The image architect had also embraced his reputation as fashion’s “fashion daddy.” However, he corrected that title with a joke of his own. “I’m fashion mommy. I’m the mother,” Roach quipped.
His Emmy appearance also produced another headline involving his longtime client Zendaya. Roach faced questions about his earlier claim that Zendaya and Tom Holland had already married. As per PEOPLE, he told CNN & Variety Red Carpet Live that he had actually lied about their marital status. “They actually haven’t had an official ceremony yet,” Roach said.
He claimed the ceremony would happen after Zendaya’s Dune press tour. Roach later insisted, “No, the wedding hasn’t happened. Not yet.” Still, he admitted he “could” be lying again. Holland had reportedly called Zendaya his “wife” in recent months. Roach offered one final tease about the situation. “She’s been his ‘wife’ for a really long time now, but it’s not official yet,” he said.
