Nyle Dimarco

Nyle DiMarco is a model, actor, filmmaker, and Deaf activist recognized for his advocacy within the Deaf community. DiMarco comes from a fourth-generation Deaf family, with his parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and brothers all Deaf. He is an alumnus of Gallaudet University, the only liberal arts university in the world for the Deaf, where he earned a degree in mathematics. American Sign Language is his native language, and he is also fluent in written English. DiMarco has used his media presence to raise awareness about Deaf culture and does not consider himself disabled by deafness.

DiMarco gained national attention by winning The CW's reality television series "America's Next Top Model" in season 22, becoming the second male and first Deaf winner. He was scouted by the show's producers through social media and, after his victory, signed with Wilhelmina Models in New York City. DiMarco also won season 22 of ABC's dance competition "Dancing with the Stars," becoming the first Deaf contestant to win the Mirror Ball Trophy and the first Deaf celebrity to win any global version of BBC Worldwide's "Dancing with the Stars" franchise.

As an actor and producer, DiMarco has contributed to authentic Deaf representation in media. He played the recurring role of Garrett Banducci in "Switched at Birth" on Freeform and appeared in a recurring role on Sundance TV's "This Close." DiMarco was a producing member of the Broadway revival of Mark Medoff's play "Children of a Lesser God." He executive produced the Netflix reality series "Deaf U," which follows Deaf and hard of hearing students at Gallaudet University, and was also an executive producer of the Oscar-nominated documentary short "Audible," focused on the Maryland School for the Deaf. As co-director of the Apple Original Films documentary "Deaf President Now!," DiMarco led a production with more than 40 Deaf crew members, and the film was nominated for two Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Directing, making him the first Deaf person nominated in that category. He also served as an executive producer on "The Way We Move," a documentary about the life and work of ASL interpreter Amber Galloway.

Beyond entertainment, DiMarco is an author and advocate. His memoir, "Deaf Utopia: A Memoir — and a Love Letter to a Way of Life," explores Deaf culture and American Sign Language through personal stories. He founded The Nyle DiMarco Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing resources for deaf children and their families. The foundation partnered with Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids to support early language acquisition. DiMarco received the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Annie Glenn Award for his advocacy and is an ally and influencer with the United Nations, focusing on education and accessibility under the Sustainable Development Goals.

DiMarco speaks internationally on inclusion and acceptance. As an Oscar and two-time Emmy nominee and New York Times bestselling author, he has contributed to media and storytelling. Across modeling, television, film, and advocacy, DiMarco uses his platform to challenge perceptions and promote inclusivity in the entertainment industry and beyond.