“If you work hard, you can get in life what you really want.”
Nyle DiMarco
Season twenty-two of Dancing with the Stars premiered March 21, 2016, on the ABC network. Hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews returned, as did judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Len Goodman returned as head judge, after being absent for the previous season.
On May 24, 2016, Nyle DiMarco and his partner Peta Murgatroyd were crowned champions; this was Murgatroyd’s second win on the show, as she also won season 14 with Donald Driver. DiMarco is also the first deaf contestant to win the show.
DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd were awarded the Mirrorball trophy.
(Second place went to Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas, with Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy nabbing third.)
DiMarco — who, coincidentally, also won the 22nd cycle of America’s Next Top Model — was a favorite from the beginning, as he overcame his deafness (including an inability to feel musical vibrations) to produce some of the season’s most memorable routines.
Of course, before Nyle and Peta could overtake Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough as the reigning Dancing champs, the ABC series hosted a two-hour celebration of this season’s standout performances and memorable contestants.
The three finalists also performed their 24-hour fusion dances — a mash-up of two dance styles — which earned them one last score from the judges, denoted below:
Ginger Zee and pro Val Chmerkovskiy — Foxtrot/Argentine Tango — 27/30
Nyle DiMarco and pro Peta Murgatroyd — Tango/Cha-Cha — 30/30
Paige VanZant and pro Mark Ballas — Jive/Salsa — 30/30
And just like that, Season 22 came to a close, with Nyle and Peta swept up in a massive celebration alongside their castmates.
“I owe it all to him,” Murgatroyd said of her partner. “He’s just incredible.”
Nyle DiMarco (born May 8, 1989 in Queens, New York) is an American actor and model. In 2015 he was the first and only deaf contestant to appear on the final season of America’s Next Top Model.
DiMarco was born in Queens, New York. He comes from a deaf family with his parents, both of his brothers and his grandparents all born deaf. His parents divorced when he was young and his mom singlehandedly raised him and his two brothers. He grew up in Frederick, Maryland and graduated from Gallaudet University with a degree in Mathematics. DiMarco lives in New York City. He considers American Sign Language (ASL) to be his native language and is also proficient in lip reading and nonverbal communication.
DiMarco had been doing freelance modeling for about a year before he was contacted by America’s Next Top Model producers. They scouted the 25-year-old via his Instagram without realizing he was deaf. He is the second male winner of the CW’s America’s Next Top Model. DiMarco is now currently signed with Wilhelmina Models in New York City. He is also working with Barxbell, the first all deaf company based in Pleasanton.
DiMarco acted in a leading role for an independent film On the Can … again under ASL Films production, a movie told in American Sign Language with English subtitles.He played the recurring role of Garrett Banducci in Switched at Birth on the Freeform network.
DiMarco doesn’t 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 is an honorary spokesperson for the Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) campaign.
When it came time to pick a song for his freestyle, Nyle and Peta turned to the haunting cover. The only hitch was that pairs always need to obtain permission before using any song in their routines. So Nyle, who is deaf, took matters into his own hands and penned a touching letter to the band, which they shared on their website Monday, May 23.
“Nyle emailed us to ask for our permission to use our version of the song that has inspired him and hopes to convey an even bigger message to help people better understand the history of the deaf community,” the band wrote. “Tonight is the big night so help spread the word and cast your votes for Nyle!
This is not only a great honor for a Hard Rock/Metal band like us to be asked to be part of the biggest night of their show but for us to play a role in raising awareness for Nyle’s cause.”
This is his letter in full, as posted by the band:
My name is Nyle DiMarco. I am Deaf. I’m the fourth generation and I have over 25 Deaf members in my family. I am now in the semi finals towards the Mirror Ball on Dancing With The Stars.
I am writing this letter to let you know how much your song “Sound of Silence” means so much to me and my Deaf community and that I would love to dance to your song for the finals. I feel this is important for you to know that we, the Deaf people, underwent a terrible history and we are still stuck in the darkness. The darkness of oppression that your song truly reverberated to me.
Before the year 1880, we the Deaf people lived normal lives. We were perceived normal. We held political positions. We joined the army. We had jobs. We had an education through sign language that greatly benefited to our visual eyes and silent ears. It was until the Milan Conference in 1880 that led to language deprivation and … ultimately our culture, our job opportunities, and our intelligence. We were tortured. Our ancestors underwent electric shock chairs, surgeries (without anesthesia), and so many torturing methods just to help us regain our hearing. We were also punished if we used sign language. We were whipped. Slapped with our rulers. Abused. We were required to try and learn to speak (and that always, always miserably failed).
We also lost jobs. Many now perceive us as disabled, that we can’t serve the army, hold political positions, nor teach.
Because of the conference that almost led to the death of the Deaf culture (and was basically genocide and cultural-genocide), we are still trying to get out of the dark. I just founded Nyle DiMarco Foundation and our focus is on Deaf kids. We are working with state and U.S. senators to write and pass the bill that requires bilingualism (American Sign Language and English) because it was recently proven by science that it will benefit the Deaf child a lot more than just English only.
I am using my celebrity platform and especially on DWTS for good cause.
With your song … we are planning on showing my history’s terrible times through dancing … and to your powerful and moving song. We feel that with you, your song, and us, we will make/change history and help people better understand our history, and build allies all over the world to help better Deaf lives.
Help us resurface from our darkness, from the systematic oppression.
The topping performances were at the end when each judge worked with two couples. Different routines, different music, different styles, different performances.
All of them performed to their hearts content. The choreography was amazing. The coordination was exceptional. It’s sad to see anyone go.
~Team Bruno kills it with ‘risky’ same-sex tango routine~
The concept of having an intimate dance between two partners of the same-sex was one that put ABC in a panic in 2015 as the network gave a “definite no” to the idea. Nyle Dimarco and Jodie Sweetin performed with Keo Motsepe and Peta Murgatroyd to “Habanera“.
Well, that was then and this is now … and on Monday’s (May 9) episode of “Dancing With the Stars,” Bruno Tonioli presented a “risky” dance routine to his group of competitors and the result was nothing less than stellar.
~Team Len made Len Goodman’s fantasy come to life~
Wanya Morris and Ginger Zee wowed the audience during the Judge’s Team Challenge on Dancing with the Stars on Monday (May 9) from Los Angeles.
The two star dancers, along with pro partners Lindsay Arnold and Val Chmerkovskiy, worked with judge Len Goodman for the challenge, who choose the song, dance style and overall creative — a fun Samba set to “Jump in the Line (Shake, Señora)” by Harry Belafonte.
Paige VanZant & Mark Ballas and Antonio Brown & Sharna Burgessi join together to dance to Judge Carrie Ann’s partner dance to “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Lorde on Dancing with the Stars’ Season 22 America as the 4th judge night!
Nyle DiMarco & Peta Murgatroyd and Jodie Sweetin & Keo Motsepe join together to dance to Judge Bruno’s partner dance to “Habanera” by Georges Bizet on Dancing with the Stars’ Season 22 America as the 4th judge night!
~~Judge Len’s Partner Dance~~
Dancing with the Stars
~~Published on May 9, 2016~~
Ginger Zee & Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Wanya Morris & Lindsay Arnold join together to dance to Judge Len’s partner dance to “Jump In The Line” by Harry Belafonte on Dancing with the Stars’ Season America as the 4th judge night!
~~Judge Carrie Ann’s Partner Dance~~
Dancing with the Stars
~~Published on May 9, 2016~~
Paige VanZant & Mark Ballas and Antonio Brown & Sharna Burgessi join together to dance to Judge Carrie Ann’s partner dance to ”Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Lorde on Dancing with the Stars’ Season 22 America as the 4th judge night!
Nyle & Peta silence the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ competition with powerful paso doble
With a hearing-impaired dancer in the competition, it was only a matter of time before a moment like this came to “Dancing With the Stars.” On Monday’s (May 9) episode, Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd took the music out of their routine.
Hitting the stage with a powerful paso doble number, the pair not only hit their steps hard and with meaning, the music stopped halfway through the number.
Doing their part to show the audience what it feels like to go through the motions of a dance routine without the ability to hear the music, all that was heard for these seconds was the clapping of the audience. The moment definitely drove the point home and moved the crowd in multiple ways.
Len Goodman’s comments weren’t very positive, saying, “I thought there needed a little more shaping through the body, on occasion.
” As the boos came from the audience, his critiques grew harsher, but he ended his point on a high note, with: “I’ve got to say, you come out every time and you dance with purpose and confidence.”
“I thought that was mind blowing,” exclaims Bruno Tonioli. Shifting the tone of the critiques, Carrie Ann Inaba agreed with Bruno. With tears in her eyes, she says, “I’ve seen a lot on this show for 22 seasons and I’ve never seen anything like that which touched me so profoundly.”
With 10 from Carrie Ann Inaba, a 9 from Len Goodman and another 10 from Bruno Tonioli, the duo’s total score for the routine is 29.
Nyle DiMarco and Sharna Burgess were amazing on Week 5 of Dancing With The Stars, Season 22!
Week 5 of DWTS was Switch-Up Week, and the new partners had so much fun. Viewers voted and chose the partners and dances. Maks Chmerkovskiy was the guest judge. And James Bay performed a few songs.
Nyle DiMarco faces a massive challenge every week on Dancing with the Stars when he performs without hearing any music. However, the deaf America’s Next Top Model winner and pro partner Peta Murgatroyd have done an incredible job of overcoming this obstacle. They’ve carefully crafted a method of communicating that works for them, but this week Nyle had to start all over again.
Last night, April 17, was Switch-Up Night on Dancing with the Stars, which means that a new pro dancer will have to learn how to lead Nyle through a dance to a song that he can’t hear. However, Nyle doesn’t seem too concerned about getting a new teacher, and he even took some time from his busy schedule to teach Tyler Oakley how to flirt in American Sign Language (ASL).
PureDWTS revealed who Nyle DiMarco’s partner would be for Switch-Up Week, and the DWTS pro has experience with creative coaching. Nyle was paired with Sharna Burgess, the fan-favorite pro who had to completely change the way she choreographed routines when she was partnered with double amputee Noah Galloway two seasons ago.
Sharna proved that she was up for the challenge by helping Noah finish in the final three during Season 20.
DANCING WITH THE STARS – “Episode 2001” — “Dancing with the Stars” is back with an all-new celebrity cast who hit the ballroom for the special 10th Anniversary season. The competition began with the live two-hour season premiere, MONDAY, MARCH 16 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Adam Taylor) SHARNA BURGESS, NOAH GALLOWAY
~~GALLERY~~
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You could say that Sharna and Noah were redefining dance with their innovative routines, and “Redefining Dance” just happens to be Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd’s DWTS team name. Perhaps fans of the show had Sharna Burgess’ experience with Noah Galloway in mind when they voted for her to be partnered up with Nyle. Fans also voted for which style of dance that Sharna and Nyle will perform together, and they chose the Viennese Waltz.
Nyle and Sharna are both coming off of a high after Disney Night. Nyle fully embraced being Tarzan, and his loincloth costume likely helped him swing a few extra votes his way. He and Peta finished just one point behind Sharna and NFL star Antonio Brown, who had a real breakthrough when they scored three 9s and an 8 for their Aladdin-inspired jazz routine.
This Is What Happens When a Male Model Dances Like Tarzan
It’s hard to beat Disney night on Dancing With the Stars, and this season proved to be no exception. All the dances were magical, but one definitely stood out. Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd performed a samba to “Trashin’ the Camp” from 1999’s Tarzan, and I have to admit, it’s crazy. In case you forgot DiMarco is a model, his bare chest will remind you.
Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd dance the Samba to “Trashin’ The Camp” from Tarzan by Rosie O’Donnell & Phil Collins on Dancing with the Stars’ Season 22 Disney Night!
Dear friends, readers and followers, DWTS has returned to TV.
This is one of my favorite shows.
There are several interesting competitors in this season.
One of my favorites is Nyle DiMarco.
If you haven’t been following this participant, it’s interesting to note that Nyle is completely deaf. Peta has been creating choreography for him using specific signals, the sense of touch and visual cues.
It’s remarkable to see this handsome, young man dancing as well as he’s done so far.
Their routine got them a standing ovation on the “Most Memorable Year”-themed show. Watch the video below.
DiMarco said the most memorable year was 2012, because it was “the year I traveled the world” all by himself, without an interpreter. He noted he comes from a family that’s four generations of deaf people, and “I needed to get away to know myself.” DiMarco added that he’s “not sure where my fearlessness comes from,” but he’s happy that he has it.
~~GALLERY~~
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Nyle DiMarco (born May 8, 1989) is an American model, actor, and activist.
In 2015, he won the 22nd season of America’s Next Top Model and has so far been the only deaf contestant to ever compete on the show. He is currently a celebrity contestant on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars in 2016.
DiMarco was born in Queens, New York. He comes from a deaf family with his parents, both of his brothers, and his grandparents all born deaf. His parents divorced when he was young and his mother raised the children alone.
He grew up in Frederick, Maryland, and graduated from Gallaudet University with a degree in mathematics. DiMarco lives in New York City. American Sign Language (ASL) is his native language and he is also proficient in lip reading and nonverbal communication.
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 ASL App, an app that teaches conversational ASL.
It Is What It Is 