Meet America's Next Top Model's first ever deaf contestant Nyle DiMarco

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Nyle DiMarco, 25, is competing on the upcoming 22nd season of the hit reality series, created and hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks
The aspiring fashion star is the first deaf model to take part in the show, which is due to premiere on the CW on August 5

Published: 17:58 EST, 3 August 2015 | Updated: 02:06 EST, 4 August 2015

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A model who is set to become the first ever deaf person to compete in hit reality series America's Next Top Model has revealed why he refuses to let his disability stop him from reaching the top of the fashion industry.

Nyle DiMarco, 25, is set to feature on the upcoming 22nd season of the hit CW series, which was created by supermodel Tyra Banks. But while some might believe he is at a disadvantage when compared with his co-stars, the Washington-based model insists that his disability actually makes him all the more unique.

'I strongly believe that being deaf gives me a huge advantage because of my native language, American Sign Language (ASL),' Nyle revealed to Washington Life.

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Budding model: Nyle DiMarco is set to compete on the upcoming series of America's Next Top Model

Breaking barriers: The 25-year-old, who is from Washington, will be the first deaf person to compete on the hit reality series, which is now in its 22nd season

'ASL requires the use of facial expressions and body language expressions. With the rules of ASL immersed into my soul, it helps to bring out stories when [I'm] modeling for a photo, and makes for an interesting character when [I'm] acting.'

And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the fact that Nyle is deaf certainly isn't the first thing that people notice about the budding model, who was contacted by the producers of America's Next Top Model after they saw him guest-starring in hit sitcom Switched at Birth.

'The show found me through my accounts on social media and models.com, which is where I showcase my work,' Nyle explained.

'Honestly, America's Next Top Model wasn’t something that I had ever really thought about doing before but when I spoke with casting, I thought, “why not!” The rest is history.'

Competition: Nyle will be competing against several other budding models in the series, and will have to complete a series of weekly challenges in order to remain on the show and avoid elimination

Something special: Far from seeing his disability as something negative, Nyle believes that it separates him from his competitors, and makes him stand out from the crowd

While Nyle is unable to reveal how the show, which he has been busy filming for a number of weeks now, has been going, he hopes that his appearance in the series, no matter how far he ends up going, will help to inspire other deaf people to pursue their dreams.

'I use my success both to inspire other people who are deaf and to raise awareness,' he explained to Washington LIfe.

'There are many beautiful deaf people out there but the agencies and photographers think we’re not able to model, let alone collaborate.

'I am here to raise awareness and change that perspective and prove that deaf people can model and collaborate to create something beautiful.'

Regardless of how far he makes it on the show, Nyle's best friend Phyllis Steele has no doubt that he has a successful career ahead of him.

Nyle will appear in Americas's Next Top Model Cycle 22

Inspiration: Nyle hopes that his appearance on the show, regardless of how far he makes it, will help to inspire other deaf people to pursue their goals

Making a difference: 'I am here to raise awareness and change that perspective and prove that deaf people can model and collaborate to create something beautiful,' he explained of his spot on the show

Deep stare: According to Nyle's best friend Phyllis Steele, 'everyone is always fascinated' with his blue eyes

'Everyone is always fascinated with his eyes, Nyle does have good eyes,' she told DHN.

'Also his body - but he does really have to work at it though, and he puts a lot of work into it, so there's the proof.

'And the third thing, of course, like he mentioned, is that deaf culture is really ingrained in him.'

Nyle's twin brother Nico agrees, explaining to DHN: 'It's amazing that he can show what deaf people can do, and that really we don't have a glass ceiling whatsoever.

'People kept bugging him about modeling and about doing it more but he didn't care too much about it, and always shrugged it off. But after trying it for a bit, he realized that he was really good at it.'

Strut your stuff: Nyle appeared at the premiere party for America's Next Top Model last week (pictured)

Supporting stars: The competitors were joined at the event by the show's host and creator Tyra Banks (right), and her co-star Miss Jay Alexander (left)