Getty Images
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Contestant Nyle DiMarco Says “Being Deaf Has Never Held Me Back” (EXCLUSIVE)
In an interview with In Touch, on newsstands now, Dancing With the Stars contestant Nyle DiMarco opens up about how he hasn’t allowed being born deaf to hold him back — especially on the dance floor.
“I’ve always thought I could do anything. Growing up, my mom used to say ‘challenge’ was my middle name,” Nyle says via an interpreter. “I sailed the whole East Coast. I traveled the world alone. Being deaf doesn’t make a difference to me.”
RELATED: Watch Jodie Sweetin Talk Sobriety on ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Nyle confesses that he had no previous experience in dance before this opportunity.
“When they asked me to be on the show, I was scared! I had bad dreams about it. I was like, ‘Can I do this?!’”
“This is new for me, but I’ve never felt any barriers or limitations — and I love a challenge!” says the single star, who’s proficient in sign language and lipreading.
RELATED: Meet Allison Holker’s Baby Boy
A challenge indeed. Nyle admits that he dances without hearing any music or vibration.
“During rehearsal, we turned the music up and I felt the vibration, but I wasn’t used to it and felt off,” he explains. “So I prefer not to hear anything at all. I just let my partner, Peta [Murgatroyd], hear everything, and she can lead me.”
For the full interview with Nyle DiMarco, pick up the latest issue of In Touch, on newsstands now!
Have a tip? Send it to us! Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com.
