Santino Rice

Santino Rice
Rice in 2006

Santino Rice is an American fashion designer and television personality. He is best known for his appearances on the reality television programs Project Runway, RuPaul's Drag Race, and On the Road with Austin and Santino.

Rice was born and raised in St. Charles, Missouri. His parents were both multiracial, and his background includes Black-American, Italian, German, Jewish, English, Welsh, French, and Native American. In high school, Rice earned a scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. After attending school there, he reportedly found work in the fashion and film industries, including extra roles, voice acting, and costume design.

In 2005, Rice participated as a contestant on the second season of the Bravo reality show Project Runway, producing mixed results on the show. He won two challenges and was among the top three designs three more times. However, Rice was among the bottom two scores for four challenges. Ultimately, he lasted throughout the season and was one of three finalists selected to show at Olympus Fashion Week in New York City. He finished in third place, behind Daniel Vosovic and Chloe Dao.

Rice became well known for the charismatic and sometimes abrasive persona that he presented on Project Runway, and he was often cited as the "villain" of the show. He was also known for his humor, including his impersonations of mentor Tim Gunn.

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