After a long break, Project Runway is back for its long-awaited Season 21. The new season of the reality TV show has some notable changes, the biggest of which may be that Heidi Klum is officially back as a judge.

The latest season kicked off with some fierce competition and what appears to be the beginning of some tension between contestants. In an unexpected twist, however, the first episode ended in a particularly heartwrenching elimination.

Designer Caycee Black Was Eliminated First—Again

The cast of Season 21 features a few returning competitors, one of which is 44-year-old Caycee Black. Caycee was a recent contestant; she took part in Season 19, where, unfortunately, she was eliminated in the very first challenge. She told the cameras that she'd returned for Season 21 for redemption:

Being eliminated in the first challenge, I didn’t get to show who I was as a person, as a designer, as an artist. I’m just hoping to prove who I am.

The first challenge was to create a Disney princess-inspired look, but Caycee's final creation appeared to fall a bit flat. She designed an asymmetrical pink tulle dress that the judges found confusing and not entirely on par with the theme. Heidi's feedback on the garment was that she found it "very lackluster in terms of shape and everything," even going on to call it "not inspiring."

It didn't take long for Caycee to realize she'd found herself in a similar position as in Season 19. She teared up after hearing the judges' feedback, and, while the cast awaited the judges' verdict, Caycee explained how she couldn't believe this was happening for a second time:

I’m just in shock a bit right now. I actually really loved my dress. Being in this position again, I never thought I’d be in the bottom three at this stage in the competition again. After being eliminated on episode one of another season, it just feels like a bad joke. I don’t want to go home. I can’t go home. I didn’t get to show who I was as a designer.

Unfortunately for Caycee, that was the end of her road to redemption. She was the first eliminated once again and she asked to pack up her work station and head home. Host and executive producer Christian Siriano consoled her, reminding Caycee that she was talented and clearly asked back for a reason.

Caycee Won't Be Back On Project Runway

After her second attempt, it doesn't seem like Caycee will be back for a third time. She shared with the cameras in her last confessional that she believed it was time to put the reality competition behind her, at least for the time being. "I’m beyond shocked to be eliminated for this look. It feels harsh to leave at this stage of the competition again," Caycee admitted. "Project Runway is an experience I will never forget and I’m probably finished with as of now," she added.

As for the rest of the season, the remaining cast is in for some new twists, not the least of which is being sorted into competing "houses," effectively dividing the competition into two large groups. This makes designing especially challenging, as now the designers have to agree upon a cohesive look for each collection that they put out from week to week. As some of the bigger personalities have already begun to clash, only time will tell if the group members are able to come to an agreement.

New episodes of the show will air on Freeform on Thursdays at 9:00pm ET, and will also be available to stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.