Tim Gunn reveals heartbreaking celibacy decision on Chelsea Handler podcast in New York as he recalls betrayal during the early AIDS crisis in Washington DC

For decades, fans have known Tim Gunn as the calm, reassuring voice behind some of fashion’s most nerve-racking runway moments.

But this week, he shared something far more personal than any design critique.

During a candid chat on Chelsea Handler’s podcast, the 72-year-old fashion consultant revealed that heartbreak — and fear — led him to make a life-altering decision.

He has been celibate for 43 years.

It wasn’t a casual choice. It was one born out of betrayal, anger, and the terrifying uncertainty of the early 1980s.

A Nine-Year Relationship That Ended in One Night

Gunn described a deeply serious nine-year relationship he had while living in Washington, DC.

The man he loved was, as he put it, the only person he had ever been intimate with.

He believed they were building a life together.

Then one ordinary evening — while watching MASH* in bed — everything fell apart.

His partner abruptly told him he wanted him out. Just like that. No buildup. No warning.

Although Gunn technically had his own apartment, he had been living with his partner for years.

Leaving that night felt like being pushed off a cliff. He recalled having to pull his car over because he was hyperventilating.

The humiliation, the heartbreak, the shock — it all hit at once.

And then came the detail that changed everything.

Betrayal in the Shadow of the AIDS Crisis

That night, his partner admitted he had been unfaithful — repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Gunn had remained completely loyal.

The timing made it even more devastating. It was 1982.

The AIDS crisis was just emerging, and misinformation and fear were everywhere.

For many gay men, it felt like a looming catastrophe with no clear answers.

Gunn said his initial self-pity quickly transformed into rage.

He feared the worst — that he may have been handed what he described as a “death sentence.”

For the next ten years, he underwent HIV testing every six months.

Thankfully, he consistently tested negative.

But the emotional damage had already settled in.

Why He Chose Celibacy

After that experience, intimacy became tangled with fear and trauma.

Whenever he found himself on the verge of potentially serious involvement with someone else, the memories would resurface — not gently, but overwhelmingly.

He described it as emotional floodgates opening, washing away any desire he might have felt.

So he stopped trying.

What began as a protective instinct eventually became a lifestyle.

Living alone and being celibate required adjustment, he admitted.

But over time, it turned into something that felt right for him.

Today, he says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

From Parsons to Project Runway Fame

Long before reality television fame, Gunn built an impressive academic career.

He taught at Parsons School of Design for 25 years, eventually chairing the fashion design department from 2000 to 2007.

Former students have often credited him with helping reshape the school’s curriculum and strengthening its industry ties.

In 2004, his life took another dramatic turn when he joined Project Runway.

Hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum, the series quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

Gunn’s steady mentorship style — and his now-iconic catchphrase, “Make it work” — turned him into a household name.

He wasn’t just a judge; he was the show’s emotional anchor.

His success led to spin-offs including Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style and Under the Gunn, further cementing his status as fashion’s favorite mentor.

In 2013, he and Klum even won an Emmy Award for their work on the show.

Not Invited Back — And Learning to Accept It

During the same podcast appearance, Gunn also addressed his absence from the upcoming season of Project Runway, which was renewed for season 22 and is set to debut in 2026.

He said he simply wasn’t asked back.

When his agent reached out after learning that Klum had signed on, the producers’ response was blunt: they didn’t want him.

Gunn admitted the news was devastating at first.

But time has softened that blow.

He reflected on his 19 seasons with the franchise — 16 alongside Klum — with gratitude rather than bitterness.

With an Emmy on his kitchen counter and a lasting legacy in fashion television, he says he has no complaints.

A Life Lived on His Own Terms

What stands out most about Gunn’s revelations isn’t just the celibacy — it’s the clarity.

He speaks without resentment, without self-pity, and without apology.

In an industry often obsessed with image and romance, Gunn’s story is strikingly honest.

He chose peace over partnership. Safety over risk. Independence over expectation.

And in sharing it publicly, he offers a reminder that life doesn’t have to follow a conventional script to be meaningful.

What’s Next?

As Project Runway prepares to move forward without him, Gunn appears to be entering a quieter, more reflective chapter.

He has continued to make media appearances, speak at industry events, and advocate for design education.

There’s also the possibility of memoir updates or new creative ventures — something he has hinted at in past interviews.

Given his influence, it wouldn’t be surprising if another television project eventually found its way to him.

If there’s one thing Gunn has shown over the years, it’s resilience.

Whether guiding designers through last-minute disasters or navigating personal heartbreak, he adapts.

He makes it work.

Summary

Tim Gunn revealed on Chelsea Handler’s podcast that he has been celibate for 43 years following a devastating breakup in 1982.

After discovering his longtime partner had been unfaithful during the early days of the AIDS crisis, Gunn feared for his life and underwent HIV testing every six months for a decade, ultimately remaining negative.

The trauma reshaped his approach to intimacy, and he chose a celibate life that he now says suits him.

He also confirmed he was not invited back for the upcoming 22nd season of Project Runway, though he expressed gratitude for his 19 seasons and Emmy win.