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Nyle DiMarco Talks Winning ‘Dancing With the Stars’: ‘Barriers Can Be Broken’

A win for the whole deaf community. Nyle DiMarco dedicated his win on the Tuesday, May 24, finale episode of Dancing With the Stars to all the “deaf people in this world” — because they were his inspiration.

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The America’s Next Top Model star and his pro partner, Peta Murgatroyd, stunned judges with their final dance — a combination of cha-cha and tango that Bruno Tonioli called “glorious in every possible way.”

Carrie Ann Inaba brought DiMarco to tears by saying “Thank you for showing us your beautiful heart when you dance” in sign language. But the tears and the points (a perfect 30, of course) that the duo earned for their dance was just the start of their big night. Because at the end of the two-hour live show, they beat the other two contestants, Ginger Zee and Paige VanZant, to be presented with the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd celebrate their ‘Dancing With the Stars’ win.

Talking to Us Weekly after the show, an elated DiMarco was feeling the significance of his win for the entire deaf community.

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“One thing that I can point out is that this is for the 70 million deaf people in this world,” he told Us. “That’s the reason I’m here. They are the reason. And that’s why I did so well every week. They really gave me that inspiration every week, and I’m so thankful for them,” he added.

“It means that barriers can be broken,” he went on. “Even though there are barriers there, it doesn’t mean that they can’t be broken. You’ve just got to work twice as hard and set your goals and break those barriers. Opportunities are endless.”

The 27-year-old heartthrob hadn’t decided yet where he would keep his trophy, but he was quite certain what his celebration plans were!

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“I’m hoping to take a vacation!” he said, laughing. “I think that’s the one thing that I need the most. The past three months have been a lot of work, and we need a vacation.”

DiMarco’s partner, Murgatroyd, was similarly full of excitement for DiMarco’s win.

“I am so proud,” she gushed. “This wasn’t about the trophy in the end, this was like the cherry on top. It was the experience, the three months that I spent with him, the time, the friendship, everything that I’ve learnt from this special individual.”

“I will take these memories with me forever,” she added. “I’ll never forget this partnership.”

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