Nyle DiMarco Is First Deaf Male Contestant to Compete on 'Dancing With the Stars'
His professional partner, Peta Murgatroyd, says "it's a great" challenge.
— -- Nyle DiMarco, winner of the final season of “America's Next Top Model,” is the first deaf male contestant to compete on “Dancing With the Stars.”
The actor and model said it was hard to know whether model Tyra Banks or the "Dancing" judges would be tougher.
“I think it’s a difficult question because the panel on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ I don’t know them yet, and I haven’t danced at all growing up, so we’ll see what happens,” DiMarco, 26, signed on “Good Morning America” today.
His professional partner, Peta Murgatroyd, explained how she’ll choreograph for DiMarco this season despite his not being able to hear the music.
“Honestly, it’s all visual,” she said. “And it’s more a challenge for me this season, and it’s a great one. I love working with him. He’s such a great student and we’re hitting it off, we’re doing our moves great and it’s going to be an amazing season.”
Marlee Matlin was the first deaf female contestant on “DWTS.” She competed in the sixth season.
The new season of “Dancing With the Stars” premieres at 8 p.m. ET March 21.