Quotes from Nyle DiMarco

I am the fourth generation of being deaf.

My message to my deaf community is that we can redefine anything however we want. Anything is re-definable only if we believe and work hard for it.

I work out a lot.

As a sexually fluid deaf man, I know that embracing all our identities is the way to thrive and to overcome the limitations and prejudices that surround us.

Own your identity. Love who you are in the world. Love your deafness.

Since I knew my deaf identity since birth, it wasn't hard for me to be comfortable, confident, and independent in a hearing world.

American Sign Language requires a lot of facial and body expression.

I think being deaf gave me an increased sense of sight.

I had to live with the models in one big house for two months, 24 hours a day. Only a few of them actually learned how to sign... I couldn't really communicate with anybody, and I felt isolated.

We have over 25 deaf individuals in my family.

I have my own foundation, Nyle DiMarco Foundation, and it focuses on bettering deaf youths' lives.

My passion, personally, is being my true self while inspiring young people who are struggling with their identities to love themselves for who they are.

I was doing a little modeling on the side. Then 'ANTM' found me on social media, and it pretty much flipped my life around, all for the better.

In middle school, I had the best math teacher I've ever had, and he was deaf... and I felt inspired by him. I knew from then on that I wanted to be a math teacher.

Right before 'ANTM,' I was offered a recurring role for the TV show 'Switched at Birth.' I had to pick one because both of the shows were happening at the same time. I couldn't choose, though, so decided to let my dog Foxy decide. She picked 'ANTM!'

I was born deaf. Sound never existed in my life, and this is completely normal to me.

I think the biggest misconception is that people think deaf people are not able to do things.

I love to cook breakfast. I am a morning person.

I started to realize that there are a lot of people who are unaware of deaf culture, and I've been given a great platform to reframe the deaf community.

I am one hundred percent ready to be a spokesperson for the deaf community.

Often in the past, when we have had a deaf person in the spotlight, we have been portrayed badly. It was up to me to change that.

I do not like fancy or chain restaurants. I live for local spots.

Seriously, I don't find not being able to hear an obstacle or a boundary. For me, and for many of us, it is an advantage, and it's a part of my identity, in fact. It's a huge part of who I am.

I'm ready to take the world by storm and have them look at me and say, 'Deaf people can dance.'