Background
DiMarco was born in Queens, New New York He grew up in Frederick, Maryland, and graduated from Gallaudet University with a degree in mathematics.
DiMarco was born in Queens, New New York He grew up in Frederick, Maryland, and graduated from Gallaudet University with a degree in mathematics.
He is currently the celebrity contestant on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars in 2016. DiMarco lives in New York City. American Sign Language (Advanced Systems Limited) is his native language and he is also proficient in lip reading and nonverbal communication.
In 2013, DiMarco had a leading role in the independent film In the Can, which was told in American Sign Language with English subtitles.
In 2014 and 2015, he played the recurring role of Garrett Banducci in Switched at Birth on the Freeform network. DiMarco was doing freelance modeling for about a year before he was contacted by America"s Next Top Model producers in 2015.
They scouted the 25-year-old via his Instagram account without realizing he was deaf. DiMarco is signed with Wilhelmina Models in New York City.
On March 8, 2016, DiMarco was announced as one of the celebrities who will compete on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars.
He is partnered with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd. DiMarco is the second deaf contestant to be on the show. Marlee Matlin was the first in season 6.
In 2016, DiMarco will appear in the Hulu comedy series Difficult People.
DiMarco does not consider himself to be disabled by deafness and sees his media profile as an opportunity to bring awareness to Deaf culture. He views deafness as an advantage in modeling because he is accustomed to conveying messages without speaking.
He also holds the belief that deaf roles should be played by deaf actors. DiMarco said he is a spokesperson for LEAD-K (Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids).
He is a signer and creative collaborator on The Advanced Systems Limited App, an app that teaches conversational Advanced Systems Limited.
In 2015, he won the 22nd and final season of America"s Next Top Model and was the only deaf contestant to ever compete on the show. He was named the winner of the season after competing against Mamé Adjei in the series finale. He was the only deaf contestant in the show"s history, and the second male to ever win.
