Law Roach isn't being mean enough on Project Runway

Law Roach is a breath of fresh air on television. From Legendary to RuPaul's Drag Race, he brings helpful feedback and sartorial experience to every program on which he serves as a judge. However, it appears that not everyone is appreciative of his critical eye.

The self-proclaimed "image architect" is currently serving as a judge on the most recent season of Project Runway. And since the season began airing, his critiques are being blasted for being “mean,” “harsh,” or “rude.” Most of that has to do with the fact that people are uncomfortable with being uncomfortable — and on top of that, Law is an effeminate queer Black man who is not afraid to be abrasive.

In last week’s episode, the designers presented their looks for the main challenge. When the bottom three contestants’ looks were brought back (which included RuPaul's Drag Race alum Utica), Law was the most vocal about the quality of craftsmanship that the designers delivered, saying, “I did not come to work and get this beautiful glam to look at a bunch of fucking ugly clothes. I’m sorry. I am pissed off. I’m mad.”

A Reddit thread posted to the r/ProjectRunway subreddit about Law discussed his inclusion on this season. And while the original poster wrote about how much they loved having him on, almost all of the feedback Law’s gotten as a judge has been largely negative. “Law as a judge is one of the worst aspects to me. I find him just mean and not funny,” one user replied to the thread. “Law is making this season a bit unenjoyable for me,” another commented.

He did have people in his corner, with one person pointing out, “He’s real, he’s not mean. He tore up one of the twins [one week] and they came back to win the challenge.”

The delivery of his feedback for the designers was abrasive, but that comes with a deep understanding and appreciation for fashion, along with knowing the capabilities of the contestants. Law also has the résumé to back it up — he is the creative mind behind Zendaya’s most memorable Met Gala and red carpet looks, in addition to styling the one and only Celine Dion. There's also Anne Hathaway, Ariana Grande, Tom Holland, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla, Dua Lipa, Kerry Washington, Hunter Schaefer, and Lewis Hamilton, to name a few. So to say that his expertise runs deep would be an understatement.

There is an exchange between him and Heidi Klum in the season premiere that sums up the cultural moment we are currently in. When the judges were reviewing the episode’s top contestants, Law singled out a look that he hated. “Hate is such a big word,” Klum said to Law. To which he rebutted, “No, it’s not, it’s only four letters.”

This is the energy needed on reality television — quick-witted, sharp, and confident commentary that counteracts the drab placating we are being inundated with.

In popular culture (and more specifically, reality television competition shows), there is a culture of hand-holding that is plaguing the programs we watch. Most, if not all, judges are now afraid of having their critiques clipped and being the center of online discourse. This then leads them to go the safe route — being polite and saying they did or didn’t like something with a softball criticism to soften the blow. This is not Law’s approach, and we thank him for it. He comes in like a bulldozer and doesn’t seem to care whether or not a critique hurts your feelings.

His judging style is reminiscent of a time on shows from the late 2000s and early 2010s like American Idol and X-Factor, where Simon Cowell made a name for himself as the harshest critic on television. While his criticisms could be harsh, they meant that his praise meant more. If you could impress him, you were golden. But even with the extensive background in fashion and styling, turning out some of the most iconic red carpet looks of all time and becoming one of the most in-demand stylists in Hollywood, that same grace isn’t given to Law. If Law were white and/or straight, he would be just as (if not more) revered as Cowell, Gordon Ramsay on Hell's Kitchen, or Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off.

And let's be real: While many fans tune into reality competitions for the fashion, cuisine, performances, etc., many also expect the creative, witty, and yes, harsh critique that occurs when contestants flop. (See the splendid supercut of former Project Runway judge Michael Kors.) Competitions may be focused on an art form, but they are also obliged to make good TV, which both contestants and viewers should anticipate.

It seems that TV viewers are not used to this level of critique from Law because on RuPaul’s Drag Race, the judging is meant to be a bit more lighthearted. Yes, the queens are wearing gorgeous looks, but it’s a different lane of fashion than what Project Runway delivers, which is why Law is exponentially harder on the contestants here than he has been on other judging panels.

The “indifference plague” that is infecting our television screens only has one cure: Law Roach. Judges shouldn’t sit on panels if they’re not willing to engage with art critically. No matter what type of art it is: singing, styling, baking, dancing, etc. All art is meant to be critiqued, unraveled, dissected, and unpacked. It’s supposed to be loved or hated; indifference is worse than love or hate, and Law is teaching us that criticism, when done right, is uncomfortable yet exhilarating. It's also an art form in and of itself.

Moises Mendez II is a staff writer at Out magazine. Follow him on Instagram @moisesfenty.

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