Own your identity. Love who you are in the world. Love your deafness.
Nyle DiMarco
I think the biggest misconception is that people think deaf people are not able to do things.
I'm ready to take the world by storm and have them look at me and say, 'Deaf people can dance.'
I am a visual person, given that I am deaf.
I am truly humbled. Not only that I am going to be known as the final Top Model but as a final Top Model who is deaf! And that is an amazing tagline. This proves that deaf people can do anything and everything.
I feel the need to reframe our community positively and better deaf youth's lives, and with the 'DWTS' platform, I can - but it's not enough until I win.
There are so many deaf kids out there being deprived of their own language.
I am the fourth generation of being deaf.
I got my mathematics degree because I wanted to teach deaf children math.
I am one hundred percent ready to be a spokesperson for the deaf community.
Am I complaining about my deafness? No, I am not.
I'm fortunate to be a part of the 'ANTM' family.
American Sign Language requires a lot of facial and body expression.
We have our own culture, our own community. A lot of people don't realize that. They just assume that deaf people are very unfortunate, very disabled, but no.
We have over 25 deaf individuals in my family.
My message to my deaf community is that we can redefine anything however we want. Anything is re-definable only if we believe and work hard for it.
I had to live with the models in one big house for two months, 24 hours a day. Only a few of them actually learned how to sign... I couldn't really communicate with anybody, and I felt isolated.
I'm fortunate to have blue eyes!
I think we really do need deaf people out there writing their own shows.
I have always aspired to be the type of role model who can bridge the deaf and hearing communities.
I think being deaf gave me an increased sense of sight.
Right before 'ANTM,' I was offered a recurring role for the TV show 'Switched at Birth.' I had to pick one because both of the shows were happening at the same time. I couldn't choose, though, so decided to let my dog Foxy decide. She picked 'ANTM!'
I have my own foundation, Nyle DiMarco Foundation, and it focuses on bettering deaf youths' lives.
I want to use my celebrity for good.
I was born deaf. Sound never existed in my life, and this is completely normal to me.
Right after college, I was trying to figure out what to do. Teach? Act? Model? Do PR for the deaf community? And now I'm doing all I dreamed of and more.
Often in the past, when we have had a deaf person in the spotlight, we have been portrayed badly. It was up to me to change that.
I love it when I surprise photographers that, despite the fact that I am deaf, I am capable of meeting their vision. I love it that I can read their body language and know what they do not like and what they do like.
Since I knew my deaf identity since birth, it wasn't hard for me to be comfortable, confident, and independent in a hearing world.
I'm really excited to educate the world about what deaf people can do.
I love to cook breakfast. I am a morning person.
A relationship isn't a priority of mine but, you know, I'm hoping soon enough.
There is research proving that deaf people have increased visual abilities.
I was doing a little modeling on the side. Then 'ANTM' found me on social media, and it pretty much flipped my life around, all for the better.
Growing up, I was always involved in the deaf community.
My sexiest feature is my body.
When I signed up for 'Dancing with the Stars,' I was nervous. If I threw everything off, there are 10-15 million people watching, and that would be a negative viewpoint of deaf people, and I didn't want that.
I would love to work with Mario Testino. I respect all the work he has done and is doing.
I never danced growing up.
I feel like I can see the music and can see how the character of the music actually flows. For me, that's music to my eyes.
I've never wanted to hear.
If I'd been born into a hearing family and went to a public school, I would have probably felt much more isolated, and being deaf would have become my identity.
I love working with photographers.
I grew up with deaf teachers, and I thought all deaf children should have exposure to deaf educators.
I started to realize that there are a lot of people who are unaware of deaf culture, and I've been given a great platform to reframe the deaf community.
It's one of the reasons I want to do 'Dancing with the Stars': it's a platform to educate.
Seriously, I don't find not being able to hear an obstacle or a boundary. For me, and for many of us, it is an advantage, and it's a part of my identity, in fact. It's a huge part of who I am.
My passion, personally, is being my true self while inspiring young people who are struggling with their identities to love themselves for who they are.
As a sexually fluid deaf man, I know that embracing all our identities is the way to thrive and to overcome the limitations and prejudices that surround us.
I work out a lot.
