THE OPRAH MAGAZINE

“I have to fight for my community. I have to do this work.”

When Nyle DiMarco learned that Henry Zaga, a hearing actor, was cast in CBS ALL Access’s new series The Stand as Nick Andros, who is described as a “deaf-mute” in the Stephen King novel the show is based on, he was angered.

At 30, the Queens-born model and TV personality is best known for winning America’s Next Top Model in 2015 and taking home the Dancing with the StarsMirrorball Trophy in 2016. But perhaps most importantly, DiMarco, who identifies as sexually fluid, is also an activist for Deaf people like himself. He’s used to addressing issues central to the Deaf community, but Zaga’s

Read More at Dancing with the Stars Winner Nyle DiMarco Explains Why Casting Hearing Actors for Deaf Roles Is Problematic