“The real world is harsh,” the image architect told Refinery29 on the 2026 Emmys red carpet
Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Law Roach responded to critics who say he’s too tough as a judge on Project Runway
- On the 2026 Emmys red carpet, the image architect defended his critique on the competition show, saying, “the real world is harsh”
- Roach also shared cryptic comments about the marital status of his client Zendaya and her partner, Tom Holland
Law Roach is defending his appearance on Project Runway.
At the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, the stylist and image architect, 48, responded to critics who say he’s too harsh as a judge on the reality competition series.
“The real world is harsh. Corporate America is harsh,” he told Refinery29 on the red carpet. “Anything that we do and we put ourselves in a place to be judged is harsh. Social media is harsh.”
Roach continued, “I don’t know what people want me to be. I’m going to be honest. I think I’m there because of the honesty. People have the right to have their opinion about the way I critique. Some people love it. Some people don’t. But I think that’s the world, right?”
The stylist returned as a Project Runway judge for season 22 alongside Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Tyra Banks.
Credit: Randy Shropshire/NBC via Getty
“There’s a lot of drama, which makes the show great,” he previously told PEOPLE about the season, which came to a close on Sept. 10. “I also think there’s a dynamic and a bit of drama between the judges. I like to push everyone’s buttons.”
When asked about his reputation in the industry, Roach said he fully embraces his title as the “fashion daddy,” but with a playful twist. “I’m fashion mommy. I’m the mother,” he joked.
Also at the 2026 Emmys, Roach shared cryptic comments about the marital status of his longtime client Zendaya and her partner, Tom Holland.
On the carpet, the stylist was asked whether his March 1 statement at the Actor Awards that Zendaya and Holland had already gotten married was “coordinated.”
Credit: Heidi Gutman/Disney via Getty
He responded on the CNN & Variety Red Carpet Live: TV’s Biggest Night pre-show: “Well, I actually lied; she wasn’t married. They actually haven’t had an official ceremony yet. It’s gonna happen after the Dune press tour.”
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Roach doubled down when asked a second time about the couple’s wedding and if he was “messing” with the reporters. (Holland himself appeared to confirm that his wedding to Zendaya had already taken place in a June interview with Esquire.)
“No, the wedding hasn’t happened,” said Roach. “Not yet.” The Project Runway judge also admitted he “could” be lying again.
Holland has referred to Zendaya as “my wife” in recent months, including during a podcast appearance in July. Roach said on the red carpet, “I mean, she’s been his ‘wife’ for a really long time now, but it’s not official yet.”
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