Carson Kressley Says He Lost Devil Wears Prada Role to Stanley Tucci, Weighs in on Queer Eye Final Season and Unveils Ballard Designs Line
On Feb. 25, 2026, Emmy-winning TV personality and fashion expert Carson Kressley told TODAY hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones that he nearly landed the role ultimately played by stanley tucci in The Devil Wears Prada. The disclosure came during a wide-ranging conversation in which Kressley also addressed the drama surrounding Queer Eye’s final season, celebrated the 18th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and announced a new design collaboration with Ballard Designs inspired by his equestrian background.
Stanley Tucci role in The Devil Wears Prada
Kressley revealed that he almost secured the part that went to Stanley Tucci in The Devil Wears Prada. He described the near miss as a notable moment in his career during the interview with Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones, emphasizing the impact of casting decisions on an actor’s path. What makes this notable is that Kressley framed the anecdote not as regret but as an instructive turning point in his professional life.
Conversation with Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones
The exchange took place on TODAY, where Kressley spoke at length with hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones. The conversation was described as wide-ranging and touched on multiple facets of his work and public life, from screen roles to television commentary and product design. The hosts prompted reflections that moved from personal casting history to current television developments.
Queer Eye final season commentary
Kressley weighed in on the drama surrounding Queer Eye in its final season, offering his perspective as a television figure. He addressed the matter while discussing other contemporary TV topics during the interview, linking his commentary to the dynamics that often accompany long-running series as they approach their conclusions. Because this is the program’s final season, Kressley positioned his remarks as part of a broader conversation about legacy and audience expectations.
RuPaul’s Drag Race 18th season celebration
During the same interview, Kressley celebrated the 18th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. He singled out the milestone season as an achievement worth noting, placing it alongside his reflections on current television culture. The mention of season 18 provided a numerical anchor in the conversation and underscored the longevity of drag competition programming in the public eye.
Ballard Designs collaboration inspired by equestrian career
Kressley announced he is releasing a new line with Ballard Designs that draws on his accomplished career as an equestrian. He framed the collection as inspired by his personal history in riding and stable life, explaining that those experiences shaped the aesthetic and functional choices behind the products. The move to partner with Ballard Designs represents a concrete commercial step: the creation of a licensed line intended to translate Kressley’s equestrian sensibilities into consumer pieces.
The interview on Feb. 25, 2026 tied these threads together—casting near-misses, commentary on ongoing series, celebration of a milestone season, and a new commercial collaboration—offering a snapshot of how a television personality leverages past experience into present projects. The broader implication is that public figures can convert personal expertise into branded products while continuing to shape discourse around television culture.
