Deaf model wins last cycle of ‘ANTM’

CEBU, Philippines – The time has come: Tyra Banks has crowned the Cycle 22 winner of “America’s Next Top Model,” a.k.a. the final winner of the show—ever. With four models remaining heading into the second half of the finale—Mikey, Nyle, Lacey and Mame—who made it out on top?

The last-ever winner of “America's Next Top Model” is Nyle DiMarco, who also happens to be the second-ever male winner and the first deaf winner. The dark-haired model remained solidly in the middle of the pack until coming out of his shell in the sixth episode of the season, after a challenge that hoisted the contestants in the air to pose as possessed fashionistas.

His second win came in the go-see episode, which also featured a photo shoot where each model posed with a dog. Nyle was paired with a gorgeous husky, and the steely-eyed shot of the model and pup gazing into the camera earned raves from the judges.

While his fellow finalists took the top position in the weeks leading up to the finale, the 26-year-old wound up on top when it counted and won the coveted title of the final “America’s Next Top Model.” While he’s by no means the first deaf contestant to compete on a reality series—there have been deaf contestants on “Survivor,” “Chopped,” “The Amazing Race” and “Project Runway” and Marlee Matlin came in second on “The Celebrity Apprentice”—he is the first one to take home the win.

DiMarco also recurred on the latest season of ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth” as a potential love interest for Vanessa Marano’s Bay. “It was so funny. All of the burly, super macho grips on set were drunk by his beauty. Someone came up to me and said, ‘I am completely comfortable in my heterosexuality, but that is a beautiful man,’” she told E! News about the model-actor’s time on the show.