‘ANTM’ Cycle 22 Nyle DiMarco [PHOTOS]: 5 Must-Know Facts About Deaf Male Model

By Staff Reporter | Aug 19, 2015 01:00 PM EDT

TEXT SIZE    

Nyle DiMarco is certainly making a mark and causing a huge buzz online after becoming part of Tyra Banks' "America's Next Top Model" series, which is now on its twenty-second cycle. While the 25-year-old is an obvious head-turner, there are some things about him fans have yet to know. Below are five interesting things about the blue-eyed model hopeful.

1. He is the first and possibly the last deaf model contestant on "ANTM"

DiMarco made a good impression to the judges and to all the viewers at home when he was introduced along with the other hopefuls during the premiere episode of the show. The buff model did not only wow the judges because of his looks, but also because of the fact that he is one of the most unique contestants to grace the show.

Nyle DiMarco is deaf and he even had an interpreter in every episode that has aired so far. However, the aspiring fashion model admits that his disability is an advantage in the competition because he has mastered the facial and body language expressions through his native language, American Sign Language, Daily Mail has learned.

While it's good to know that DiMarco is the first ever deaf model to join "America's Next Top Model," this is actually kind of bittersweet since he could be the last deaf model on the show after Tyra Banks already confirmed to FOX411 that cycle 22 could be the last of the long-running reality competition.

"There is only so long that a show can last and it is kind of nice to walk away from something before it walks away from you. That is what I did with modeling. I was like, 'I don't know how may years I have left, so let me go out real big,'" Banks was quoted as saying by the news agency.

2. He also has some acting stint under his belt

If you think that "ANTM's" Nyle is only limited to modelling, you better think again. The heartthrob actually has some acting credit under his belt. On his IMDB profile, it is stated there that DiMarco appeared on ABC Family's "Switch at Birth" as Garrett in 2014. In fact, it was through this guest appearance that convinced "ANTM" producers that he should be on the show.

Prior to his acting stint, he showcased his modelling talent in models.com and the social media. It is through these by which the "Switched at Birth" producers tapped him to appear on the family-oriented series. And don't worry "Switched at Birth" fans, he has already confirmed that he is coming back on the show this fall.

3. He is not ready to be a father

Though Nyle is quite ready to take the fashion industry by storm, there is one thing he is most certainly not ready for and it's becoming a father. In one of his latest tweets, DiMarco admitted this to his followers by tweeting: "People are calling me daddy when I'm not ready to be a father."

But of course, most of his followers couldn't help but call him "daddy" for some obvious reasons. One fan even pointed out why they are fond of calling him daddy saying: "'Daddy' means a sexy man who is dominant, it comes from BDSM."

4. He wants to change the world

The "ANTM" hottie has claimed that he is not driven by his desire to earn the big bucks once he establishes a name for himself in the modelling world. Instead, he noted that his primary goal now is to make a big difference.

He recently tweeted, "My goal is not only to win the competition, but to make a huge impact on the world!" In an interview Nyle admitted that he does not want to be "ANTM" Cycle 22's "'pity party' person" or be tagged as "the token deaf person on reality TV."

According to The Washington Post, DiMarco aspires to change the way most people perceive the deaf community. He wants to start this by showing to the world that even deaf models can walk the big runways and appear on TV. DiMarco even encourages and motivates his fellow deaf models and actors to "own your identity, Love who you are in the world. Love your deafness."

5. He is very active on social media

If you are a bi Nyle fan, then you'd be glad to know that he is very active on social media. He has his own Facebook, Twitter and Instagram account and he frequently updates all of them. Plus, you'll surely love the fact that he likes to post shirtless photos in most if not all of them. He also is very friendly with his followers and fans as he would take the time to respond or comment to their posts.

pre post  |  next post
More Sections