community spokesman. In 2015, he was the first deaf contestant, and also the very
first deaf winner, of 22nd season of America's Next Top Model. He was also the winner on
season 22 of Dancing with the Stars in
2016, making him the first deaf winner
DiMarco was born (May 8, 1989) in Queens, New York to Neal Thompson, Sr and Donna DiMarco. 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.
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. He was named the winner of the season after beating out Mamé Adjei in the
season finale. He is so far the only deaf contestant in the show's history, and the second male to
ever win.
Shortly after winning the competition, DiMarco 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 was partnered with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd.
DiMarco is the second deaf contestant to be on the show (deaf contestants to ever compete on
the show (see Marlee Matlin).) On May 24, 2016, DiMarco and Murgatroyd were announced as the winners
of the season.
In 2016, DiMarco will appear in the Hulu comedy series Difficult People
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