If you spent any time watching reality TV in the mid-2000s, you knew the name Santino Rice. He was the tall, polarizing designer who nearly won Project Runway Season 2 and then spent years sitting next to RuPaul, delivering critiques that were sometimes brilliant and often incredibly harsh. He was the "bad boy" of fashion TV.
And then? He just kind of vanished.
Honestly, it wasn’t a sudden disappearance. It was more like a slow, weird slide. One day he’s judging drag queens on Logo TV, and the next, he’s popping up in the darkest corners of X (formerly Twitter) shouting about conspiracy theories. People keep asking what happened to Santino Rice, assuming he’s just out there quietly sewing for private clients in Los Angeles. The reality is way more complicated—and for a lot of fans, pretty disappointing.
Why Santino Rice Left Drag Race
Let’s clear up the biggest mystery first: the departure from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Santino was a staple on that panel for the first six seasons. He was the "fashion" voice. When Season 7 rolled around in 2015, and he was replaced by Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley, the internet went into a tailspin.
There was never one "official" reason given by World of Wonder or RuPaul. It was basically a mix of the show evolving and Santino... well, being Santino. By 2015, Drag Race was moving away from being a Project Runway spoof and becoming its own global phenomenon. It needed judges who could do comedy and performance, not just talk about a "scalloped hem."
The Creative Clash
Behind the scenes, rumors swirled about creative differences. Some sources suggest the "burnout" was real. Filming a reality show is a grind. But more than that, the show’s vibe was changing. Santino’s critiques were rooted in a very specific, old-school fashion aesthetic. As the queens got more conceptual and campy, that friction became less about "good TV" and more about a fundamental mismatch.
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There’s also the Tammie Brown factor. If you remember the Season 1 reunion, Tammie famously snapped at Santino, saying, "I don't see you out walking children in nature!" It was hilarious, but it highlighted a growing sentiment: the contestants weren't just taking his "mean" persona anymore. They were over it.
What Happened to Santino Rice After the Spotlight?
After he left the show, things took a turn for the strange. For a while, he stayed in the fashion lane. He had a show with Austin Scarlett called On the Road with Austin & Santino, which was actually pretty sweet. They’d go to small towns and make dresses for regular people. It showed a softer side of him that fans hadn't seen.
But as the 2010s progressed, Santino’s public persona began to shift from "outspoken designer" to "fringe contrarian."
The Deep Dive into Conspiracies
By 2020, Santino Rice had become a lightning rod for controversy. While the rest of the world was grappling with a global pandemic, Santino was on X claiming that COVID-19 was a man-made virus. He went full anti-vax, comparing vaccines to "injecting disinfectant."
It wasn't just a phase.
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He didn't stop at health advice. By late 2024 and heading into 2026, his feed became a nonstop stream of far-right political rhetoric. He’s endorsed Donald Trump multiple times, often using all-caps rants that feel lightyears away from the man who used to talk about high-end couture. He’s been accused of leaning into "Christian Nationalism" and has been widely roasted by former Drag Race winners like The Vivienne and Lawrence Chaney for his comments on everything from abortion to inflation.
Living "Off the Grid" (Sorta)
Despite the digital noise, Santino lives a relatively low-profile life in terms of physical appearances. He isn't walking red carpets. He isn't at Fashion Week. He occasionally mentions working for "private clients," but there is no major Santino Rice label available in stores. His estimated net worth has reportedly dipped to around $500,000—not exactly "broke," but a far cry from the fashion mogul status many expected him to reach.
The Santino Rice "Diet" and Health Takes
One of the weirdest chapters in the what happened to Santino Rice saga is his obsession with extreme fasting.
Back in 2017, he made headlines for tweeting about a 111-day juice fast. People were genuinely worried. Doctors jumped in to say that's not healthy—it’s dangerous. But Santino has always leaned into the "I know something you don't" mentality.
- The "Special" Delusion: Fans on Reddit and beyond have theorized that Santino suffers from a brand of Hollywood delusion where you believe you're "keyed in" to secrets the "sheeple" can't see.
- Contrarianism: If the mainstream says "A," Santino will almost certainly scream "B."
This contrarian streak is likely why he fell out of favor with the Drag Race family. RuPaul’s brand is built on "love" and "community," and Santino’s brand became increasingly focused on exclusion and fringe theories.
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What He’s Doing in 2026
As of early 2026, Santino is still active on social media, but he is largely persona non grata in the mainstream entertainment industry.
While RuPaul's Drag Race is currently airing Season 18 and preparing for All Stars 11, Santino’s name is only brought up as a footnote or a "whatever happened to" trivia question. He hasn't been invited back for a guest spot, and honestly, with his current political and social stances, it’s unlikely he ever will be. The show has moved on to a more inclusive, celebratory judging style, and Santino’s "edgelord" persona just doesn't fit the 2026 landscape.
Is he still designing?
Probably. Designers of his caliber usually have a "rolodex" of loyal clients who don't care about Twitter drama. But the dream of him becoming the next Michael Kors or Marc Jacobs is effectively dead. He chose a different path—one of digital activism and fringe philosophy.
The Takeaway
What happened to Santino Rice is a classic tale of a reality TV star who couldn't navigate the shift from "famous for being mean" to "relevant for being talented." He let his personal grievances and fringe beliefs overshadow his genuine skill with a needle and thread.
If you’re looking to follow his journey, you won't find it on Bravo or VH1. You’ll find it in the "Following" tab of people who like to argue about politics online.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Check out the early seasons of Project Runway (Season 2) to see why people liked him in the first place—the talent was definitely there.
- Compare his old critiques to current Drag Race judging to see how much the "vibe" of reality TV has shifted toward empathy over cruelty.
- Look for the On the Road with Austin & Santino clips for a reminder that he wasn't always just a guy shouting into the digital void.