Nyle DiMarco is an American model, actor, filmmaker, author, and Deaf activist known for breaking barriers in entertainment.
Who is Nyle DiMarco?
Nyle DiMarco is a New York-born model and entertainer who has built a career across television, film, fashion, and advocacy.
Beyond television, he has worked as an actor and producer and has increasingly moved behind the camera.
His 2025 documentary Deaf President Now! marked an important step in that transition.
Nyle DiMarco Early Life
Nyle DiMarco was born on May 8, 1989, in Queens, New York, and grew up in Frederick, Maryland. He was born into a multigenerational Deaf family, with both of his parents being Deaf.
His mother, Donna DiMarco, played an important role in making sure her children had access to better Deaf education.
Nyle has two brothers, his fraternal twin Nico DiMarco and older brother Neal DiMarco, who are also Deaf.
Growing up, American Sign Language was a natural part of family life, and Nyle communicated with his family through ASL and written English.
His early education was not always easy because one of his schools emphasized spoken language and lip-reading rather than sign language.
His mother eventually moved the family so Nyle and his brothers could attend a school with stronger Deaf education.
That experience later influenced his commitment to Deaf representation and accessible education.
Nyle DiMarco Age
Nyle DiMarco is 37 years old as of 2026 because he came into the world on May 8, 1989. He spent his childhood in Frederick, Maryland, where he grew up in a multigenerational Deaf family.
His age has never stopped him from taking on new challenges, as his career has continued to grow from modeling and television into filmmaking, writing, and Deaf advocacy.
How Did Nyle DiMarco Become Deaf?
Nyle DiMarco was born Deaf. He comes from a multigenerational Deaf family, so Deaf culture and American Sign Language were already part of his home environment.
He has often spoken about Deafness as an important part of his identity rather than something that defines him negatively.
Is Nyle DiMarco Fully Deaf?
Yes, Nyle DiMarco is Deaf. He has embraced Deaf culture throughout his personal and professional life and has used his visibility to challenge misconceptions about Deaf people.
Nyle DiMarco Education
DiMarco attended the Maryland School for the Deaf before continuing his studies at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
He graduated from Gallaudet in 2013 with a degree in mathematics.
His academic background is an important part of his story because his career did not begin solely with entertainment.
He had a strong interest in education and mathematics before modeling and television eventually became his main professional path.
Early Acting and Modeling Career (2013–2015)
Nyle DiMarco began building his career in entertainment while still developing his professional direction.
In 2013, he appeared in the independent film In the Can, which gave him an early opportunity to work as an actor.
He later took on the recurring role of Garrett Banducci in Switched at Birth during 2014 and 2015. Around the same period, he was also working as a freelance model.
America’s Next Top Model Breakthrough (2015)
He stood out throughout the competition and eventually won the season. His victory was historic because he became the first Deaf winner of the series and the second male winner.
After the show, he signed with Wilhelmina Models in New York, giving him a stronger platform in the fashion industry.
Dancing with the Stars Victory (2016)
In 2016, DiMarco took on another major challenge by joining Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd.
Despite having no previous professional dance background, he learned to connect with the music through movement, rhythm, and visual cues.
The pair progressed through the competition and ultimately won the season. His victory made him the first Deaf celebrity to win the franchise and further established him as a television personality.
Acting, Modeling and Producing (2016–2021)
Following his reality television success, DiMarco continued working across different areas of entertainment.
He appeared in television projects including Difficult People, This Close, and Station 19, while also continuing his modeling career.
He walked for Giorgio Armani at Milan Fashion Week in 2016 and appeared in music videos by artists including Dan + Shay and Ariana Grande.
During this period, he also became increasingly interested in producing stories connected to Deaf culture.
He served as an executive producer on the Netflix reality series Deaf U in 2020 and the documentary Audible in 2021.
These projects allowed him to contribute creatively behind the scenes rather than simply appear in front of the camera.
Advocacy and Storytelling (2016–2024)
Alongside entertainment, DiMarco developed a significant career as a Deaf activist.
In 2016, he founded the Nyle DiMarco Foundation, which focuses on providing resources for Deaf children and their families.
He has also worked with LEAD-K, promoting language access and opportunities for Deaf children. His advocacy became closely connected with his entertainment career.
Rather than treating Deafness as something separate from his work, he used television, film, social media, and public appearances to encourage greater understanding of Deaf culture and representation.
Filmmaking and Deaf President Now! (2025–2026)
DiMarco entered a new stage of his career with Deaf President Now!, a documentary centered on the historic 1988 protest at Gallaudet University. The project took six years to develop.
It initially began as a scripted project before DiMarco and his collaborators realized that a documentary format could better capture the history and experiences surrounding the protest.
The film became an important personal and professional achievement for DiMarco.
He moved into a leading role behind the camera and helped shape how the Deaf community and its history were presented.
He later received two Primetime Emmy nominations connected to the documentary, including a directing nomination.
By 2026, DiMarco had made it clear that filmmaking is becoming an increasingly important part of his future.
He has said that he enjoys directing because it gives him the opportunity to control the story and shape the narrative.
He also revealed that he has additional documentary projects in development, showing that his career is continuing to move beyond modeling and acting toward directing and creative storytelling.
Nyle DiMarco Movies and TV Shows
Some of Nyle DiMarco’s notable screen credits include:
- In the Can
- Switched at Birth
- America’s Next Top Model
- Difficult People
- Dancing with the Stars
- This Close
- Station 19
- Deaf U
- Audible
- Queer as Folk
- Deaf President Now!
His career has gradually expanded from appearing on screen to producing and directing projects himself.
Did Nyle DiMarco Win Dancing with the Stars?
Yes. Nyle DiMarco won Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars in 2016 with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd.
His victory was especially significant because he became the first Deaf celebrity to win the competition.
Nyle DiMarco Book
Nyle DiMarco published his memoir Deaf Utopia: A Memoir and a Love Letter to a Way of Life in 2023.
The book explores his childhood, education, Deaf identity, family, relationships, and experiences in a world where most people can hear.
It also gives readers a closer look at Deaf culture and the community that shaped him.
Is Nyle DiMarco LGBT?
Yes. Nyle DiMarco has openly discussed his sexuality and has described himself as sexually fluid. He has also spoken about queerness as part of his identity.
When did Nyle DiMarco Come Out?
DiMarco publicly described himself as sexually fluid in October 2015 during an interview with Out magazine.
He has continued to discuss his sexuality in a way that reflects his preference for a fluid identity rather than restricting himself to one label.
Is Nyle DiMarco Married?
No, Nyle DiMarco is not married. He does not have a wife or husband and has previously spoken about being single and focusing on his career.
He has also said he is open to finding love in the future and is interested in partners regardless of whether they are Deaf or hearing.
Nyle DiMarco Wife/Husband
Nyle DiMarco does not have a wife or husband. He has not publicly announced a marriage or a male spouse.
DiMarco has described his sexuality as sexually fluid and has previously said he was open to dating people regardless of gender.
He has also spoken about wanting love and a family in the future, but his romantic life has generally remained private.
What is Nyle DiMarco Doing Now?
DiMarco continues to work across filmmaking, acting, modeling, writing, and Deaf advocacy. His attention has increasingly shifted toward directing.
While discussing Deaf President Now!, he said he wants to direct more projects and already has additional documentaries in development.
He also continues speaking publicly about Deaf culture and language access.
In April 2026, he appeared at a cultural event at Illinois State University, where he discussed his childhood, education, career, and experiences as a Deaf person.
Nyle DiMarco Net Worth
Nyle DiMarco has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2026.
He earns through several areas of his career, including modeling, acting, television work, producing, directing, book publishing, social media, and brand partnerships.
His move into filmmaking has also created another professional avenue beyond his earlier work in modeling and television.
Nyle DiMarco Height and Weight
Nyle DiMarco stands approximately 6 feet 2 inches which is equal to 188 centimeters or 1.88 meters tall.
His height and athletic build have contributed to his modeling career.
Social Media Presence
Nyle DiMarco has a large following on social media, where he shares updates about his career, filmmaking, advocacy work, and personal interests.
His Instagram profile describes him as a Deaf actor, filmmaker, New York Times bestselling author, and two-time Emmy nominee.
His social media presence also gives him a direct way to promote Deaf culture and communicate with people around the world.
Conclusion
Nyle DiMarco has created an unusual career that combines entertainment, education, creativity, and advocacy.
From writing Deaf Utopia to producing documentaries and directing Deaf President Now!, he has increasingly taken control of the stories he wants to tell.
His continued work in filmmaking and Deaf advocacy shows that his career is still evolving.