Nyle Dimarco

Nyle Dimarco is a model, actor, and activist who utilizes his platform to advocate for the Deaf community and broader disability rights, working to foster inclusion and accessibility in media and society. After gaining significant recognition in 2015 as the first Deaf contestant and male winner of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ (Cycle 22), Nyle Dimarco continued his breakout success with a victory in 2016 on ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ (Season 22) alongside professional partner Peta Murgatroyd, making him the first Deaf celebrity to win any global version of the show. Dimarco, who graduated from Gallaudet University in 2013 with a degree in mathematics, initiated his acting career with roles including Garrett Banducci in ‘Switched at Birth’ (2014-2015) and Doug in Hulu’s ‘Difficult People’ (2016), utilizing his platform to advocate for the Deaf community. Transitioning his expertise behind the camera, Dimarco became a producing member of the critically acclaimed 2018 Broadway revival of ‘Children of a Lesser God.’ He expanded his producing credits as executive producer for the Netflix reality series ‘Deaf U’ which premiered in 2020, followed by the Oscar-nominated documentary short ‘Audible’ in 2021, showcasing his commitment to authentic storytelling within the Deaf community.

This non-profit organization champions bilingual education initiatives and works to improve access to accurate information regarding early language acquisition for Deaf children and their families. As an ally and influencer with the United Nations, Dimarco actively contributes to their 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, specifically focusing on education and accessibility. He consistently leverages his public platform to raise awareness of Deaf culture and advocate for more nuanced and authentic representation of Deaf experiences across media and society.