Nyle DiMarco

Nyle DiMarco – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the inspiring life of Nyle DiMarco: his early years, modeling and acting career, his activism within Deaf culture, memorable quotes, and the lessons we can draw from his journey.

Introduction

Nyle DiMarco is an American model, actor, and Deaf activist, born on May 8, 1989. He is particularly known for breaking barriers in the entertainment world as a Deaf individual—winning America’s Next Top Model (2015) and Dancing with the Stars (2016).

More than just a performer, DiMarco has become an influential voice in Deaf culture advocacy, representation in media, and language rights. His life story resonates in conversations about identity, inclusion, and transforming perceived limitations into strength.

Early Life and Family

Nyle DiMarco was born Nyle Thompson in Queens, New York, to a deeply Deaf family. He is a fourth-generation Deaf individual—meaning that multiple preceding generations in his family were Deaf.

He has a fraternal twin brother named Nico, as well as an older brother, Neal. At some point, he and his brothers adopted their mother’s surname, DiMarco, replacing “Thompson.”

Although born in New York, he spent part of his formative years in Frederick, Maryland, where he attended the Maryland School for the Deaf. His native language is American Sign Language (ASL), and he also uses lip reading and nonverbal communication.

Youth and Education

DiMarco’s schooling in the Deaf community provided him with access to language and culture from an early age. After completing high school, he enrolled at Gallaudet University, the world’s only liberal arts university designed for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

At Gallaudet, he studied mathematics and graduated in 2013 with a B.A. in that field. Interestingly, early in his life he had considered becoming a math teacher—partly because of role models he encountered in school.

Career and Achievements

Modeling & Early Acting

Before widespread recognition, DiMarco did freelance modeling. His modeling photos caught the attention of America’s Next Top Model producers, and he was invited to join the show—initially without them realizing he was Deaf.

He also took early acting roles: he appeared on Switched at Birth (a show with Deaf and hearing themes) as Garrett Banducci.

Reality TV Wins

In 2015, DiMarco competed on America’s Next Top Model (Cycle 22). He made history by becoming the first Deaf winner and only the second male winner in the show’s history. After winning, he signed with Wilhelmina Models.

In 2016, he joined Dancing with the Stars (Season 22) paired with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd, and they won. This made him the first Deaf winner of Dancing with the Stars (in any version globally).

Acting, Producing & Media

Over time, DiMarco expanded beyond modeling and competition shows:

• He has appeared in series such as This Close, Station 19, and Queer as Folk.

• He served as executive producer on Deaf U, a Netflix reality series that focuses on Deaf students and Deaf culture.

• He was also executive producer on the short documentary Audible, which was Oscar-nominated.

• In 2025, he directed and produced a full-length documentary titled Deaf President Now!, centered on the 1988 protests at Gallaudet University.

Apart from screen work, he also walked for Giorgio Armani during Milan Fashion Week.

Awards and Honors

• For Deaf U, he won a Critics’ Choice Real TV Award for Best Unstructured Series.

• Deaf President Now! earned him Emmy nominations for Outstanding Documentary/Nonfiction Special and Outstanding Directing.

• In 2016, Maryland’s governor honored DiMarco as a “hometown hero” for his advocacy in behalf of Deaf children.

Historical Milestones & Context

To appreciate DiMarco’s impact, it helps to situate him in broader Deaf culture and media representation:

• Historically, Deafness has often been underrepresented or misrepresented in film and television.

• DiMarco’s success in mainstream TV competitions challenged stereotypes: for instance, when he won Dancing with the Stars, many recognized the symbolism—not just a dance win, but a statement: “deaf people can dance.”

• DiMarco has emphasized that Deaf stories should be told by Deaf people—not just about them—and that inclusion behind the camera matters.

• His memoir Deaf Utopia reflects on his upbringing and aims to bridge Deaf and hearing communities.

• By bringing Deaf people into crew roles (such as in Deaf U), he set new precedents for representation in production.

Legacy and Influence

Nyle DiMarco’s legacy is under construction, but several key themes emerge:

• Representation: He has shown that Deaf individuals can thrive in modeling, acting, dance, and production.

• Advocacy & Language Access: Through his foundation and public platform, he advocates for early access to ASL and English for Deaf children.

• Inspiring Identity Embrace: He encourages Deaf and LGBTQ+ individuals to own their identities.

• Changing Industry Norms: By creating or influencing projects that center Deaf creators, he shifts Hollywood norms.

• Mentorship and Role Model: Many in the Deaf community look up to him, not just for celebrity, but for activism and raising awareness.

Because he is still active in media and advocacy, his full impact is still unfolding.

Personality and Talents

From interviews and public statements, several traits stand out:

• Resilience and determination: DiMarco has repeatedly confronted barriers—whether on TV sets lacking interpreters or in casting decisions. He views challenges as invitations to change systems rather than accepting limits.

• Visionary & creator-oriented: He doesn’t just act; he produces and directs with the aim of shaping stories.

• Authenticity: He often speaks about being true to oneself, unapologetically Deaf, fluid in sexuality, and outspoken about what inclusion means.

• Bridge-builder: He seeks to bring hearing and Deaf communities closer, to teach and to communicate across differences.

• Multifaceted talents: Beyond acting, he dances, models, produces, writes (memoir), and advocates—all from within a Deaf lens.

Famous Quotes of Nyle DiMarco

Here are some memorable statements by Nyle DiMarco:

“Own your identity. Love who you are in the world. Love your deafness.”
“The casting director wasn’t quite right when he said the stars would align for me. But the stars were indeed there, and I moved them until they were in the perfect position.”
“As a Deaf person, I came from a beautiful and unique heritage that included a multilayered culture, a visual language, and a wealth of stories.”
“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 was born deaf. Sound never existed in my life, and this is completely normal to me.”
“I have always aspired to be the type of role model who can bridge the Deaf and hearing communities.”
“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 … it’s a huge part of who I am.”

These quotes reflect central themes of identity, resilience, pride in Deaf culture, and mission to connect communities.

Lessons from Nyle DiMarco

From his life and words, we can draw several meaningful lessons:

1. Embrace your identity, don’t hide from it. DiMarco’s insistence on owning “deafness” as part of who he is invites us all to accept what makes us unique.

2. Visibility matters. By being publicly Deaf in high-exposure roles, he challenges stereotypes and expands what audiences imagine possible.

3. Agency is power. Rather than waiting for doors to open, DiMarco builds his own platforms (e.g. producing, founding a foundation).

4. Representation must be inclusive. He emphasizes that stories about marginalized groups should include creators from those groups—not just on-screen, but behind the scenes.

5. Language and communication access are human rights. His advocacy around ASL and early language for Deaf children underscores the importance of ensuring access, not as a privilege but as essential.

6. Bridge-building is active work. He models ways for Deaf and hearing people to learn from one another, to reduce division, and to elevate underrepresented voices.

Conclusion

Nyle DiMarco’s trajectory is more than a success story in entertainment—it is a narrative of activism, cultural affirmation, and the reimagining of possibilities. From a Deaf child in a multigenerational family, he rose to win top competitions, create media, and advocate for systemic change. His legacy continues to evolve, inspiring Deaf youth, artists, and allies alike.

If you’re drawn to his story, I encourage you to read Deaf Utopia, watch Deaf U, or explore his foundation’s work in language access. His life reminds us that inclusion, creativity, and fierce self-respect can reshape worlds.