Some of you reality TV buffs may remember Nyle DiMarco, the winner of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 22, the final cycle in the 12-year-run of the show. Cycle 22 was subtitled Guys & Girls and saw 14 contestants – seven guys and seven girls – strut, pose, and frown in front of a camera towards modelling glory. The producers of the show chose Nyle as one of the contestants without realizing he was deaf and his ability to turn a deaf ear (pardon us) towards the constant moaning and bickering between the models may have given him the focus he needed to win the competition. 

I am still at a loss for words. I won! I WON!! I am AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL! AND THE LAST WINNER AND WHO HAPPENS TO BE DEAF! I remember this photoshoot with Tyra like it was yesterday. I was extremely nervous as @tyrabanks prepped up for the shoot with me. However as soon as we worked together, our energy quickly formed and multiplied. We kept moving and moving in perfect synchronicity that not even advanced calculus could solve. It was amazing. I'm keeping this photo and experience forever in my heart. Thank you Tyra. Thank you ANTM. Thank you Miss J, Kelly, and Yu Tsai for believing in me and giving me the voice! I will never disappoint you all and I will keep thriving! I LOVE YOU ALL.

He’s a spokesperson for LEAD-K (Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids and is a signer and creative collaborator on The ASL (American Sign Language) App that teaches conversational ASL. 

 

So many of you have asked me, "How to sign this in ASL?" "How to sign that?" | Well I'm proud to announce that YOU CAN FINALLY learn ASL with ME! The APP link is in my bio. Go and download and tweet me the signs you've learned from me! | And tag your friends! @theaslapp #theaslapp

A video posted by Nyle DiMarco (@nyledimarco) on Nov 6, 2015 at 7:43pm PST

Here’s the performance that got them a perfect 10 from all three judges if you’re interested. And for your homework, think about the sum of your accomplishments as a non-deaf person and write it down. You might not want to consider modelling or dancing right away, but you know, go ahead and have a good cry.