Elaine Welteroth

Elaine Welteroth, born December 10, 1986, is an American Magazine Editor, journalist and television host. Currently, she is a permanent judge for Project Runway starting with Season 17, where along with Brandon Maxwell replaced Zac Posen.

Personal life
Welteroth was born in Newark, California to a white father and African American mother. She grew up in Fremont, California and in 2004, she graduated from Newark Memorial High School in Newark, California, where she competed in track and field. In 2007, Welteroth graduated from California State University, Sacramento, majoring in mass communication/media studies with a minor in journalism.

Career
In April 2016, Welteroth was named editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, making her the second person of African-American heritage in Condé Nast's 107-year history to hold such a title. Her promotion to editor at age 29 makes her the second youngest editor in Condé Nast history, behind former Teen Vogue EIC Lindsay Peoples Wagner who was 28 when she started in the role in Condé Nast. When she became beauty director of Teen Vogue in 2012, Welteroth was the first person of African-American heritage to serve in the role. She is credited for the notable increase of Teen Vogue coverage of politics and social justice, encouraging readers to become civically engaged, specifically during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Under Welteroth's leadership of Teen Vogue's shifting format, the magazine developed its first YouTube channel, featuring content on diverse subjects from campus style to cultural appropriation.

On January 11, 2018, Welteroth resigned from Teen Vogue and moved to California and signed with CAA. In October 2018, Welteroth became a judge on Project Runway as part of the series' return to Bravo.