'Project Runway All Stars’ Host Drama: Carolyn Murphy In, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Out

By Erin Donnelly 07/09/12 at 09:00 AM

Photos: Getty Images

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (left); Carolyn Murphy (right).

If you thought the workroom antics and designer outbursts on Project Runway All Stars were explosive, just wait 'til you hear about the drama happening behind-the-scenes.

Page Six is reporting that Carolyn Murphy will replace fellow model Angela Lindvall as host of the Lifetime spin-off after British beauty Rosie Huntington-Whiteley pulled out at the last minute in order to pursue a role in the latest Mad Max film.

Huntington-Whiteley's exit—reportedly after much lobbying on her part to land the hosting gig—is said to have left the show's producers in the lurch, with just days to find a replacement. Murphy was eventually selected after an audition process that included Hilary Rhoda, Elaine Irwin, Rachel Roy, and Karolina Kurkova.

“Literally days before filming, the show suddenly had no host," a source tells the New York Post column. "Rosie had been pushing really hard for the job. She’d charmed everyone. But then with less than three weeks to go, Rosie pulled out to do Mad Max, creating a huge drama. It put the production in a terrible position, and the Weinstein Co. even threatened to sue Rosie.”

Yikes. Another source, however, defends the Burberry Body frontwoman, insisting that "she was never fully committed to the project and there was no signed contract."

CAA agent Kevin Huvane was able to appease the show's producers by promising to deliver high-profile guest stars down the road.

Speaking of which, what of guest judge Katie Holmes, who managed to show up for her appearance on the show just after serving Tom Cruise with divorce papers?

"Everyone expected Katie to cancel, but she didn’t," an insider reveals. "She’s friendly and professional but didn’t say a word about her divorce.”

Maybe she figured there was already enough drama for one set?