The actor discusses authentic representation, communication, and why greater access can help Deaf performers focus fully on their craft.
What have been the most meaningful moments in your career where you felt Deaf representation was truly seen?
When I was on Switched at Birth, that was one of the first times I truly felt represented as a Deaf person on television and had the opportunity to represent our Deaf community. I loved working with other Deaf actors, learning from them, and having so much fun together. I felt that same sense of representation again when I was part of CODA. I loved how our Deaf characters were strong and authentic, showing the world the beauty of our language, culture, and community.I would love to see more of that in the future and help create more opportunities for Deaf actors. I’m especially excited to see new faces and the next generation of Deaf actors take off and share their talents with the world.
What accessibility measures should workplaces, production sets, and creative industries have in place to better support Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals?
When I’m working in theater, television, or film, we have interpreters on set. They provide important access for me to communicate with the crew and director, and they help make the entire process run smoothly.One of my favorite experiences while filming CODA was working with our writer and director, Sian. She knew some sign language, which meant I could communicate directly with her. That was a very unique and meaningful experience for me, and I hope to see more of that in the future.
As Deaf actors, having experienced interpreters on set makes a huge difference. They know what to do, how to communicate, and where to position themselves during filming. Whether we’re shooting a scene, working with hair and makeup, or communicating with the crew between takes, the interpreters are there to provide access. It makes the whole experience feel seamless and allows us to focus on our work as actors.
How did Dancing with the Stars help change the way people understand Deaf culture, accessibility, and communication?
Marlee Matlin and Nyle DiMarco were on Dancing with the Stars before me. When it was my turn, I wanted to be open about my experience and show the audience how we communicate, including the important role interpreters play.I’m thankful to Dancing with the Stars for giving me the opportunity to show how a profoundly Deaf person can dance to the beat and how Britt Stewart and I communicated through music, movement, and rhythm. I opened my heart and wanted the world to see who I am as a Deaf person and understand how I experience and process things differently. I’m grateful that so many Dancing with the Stars fans were able to learn more about Deaf people and Deaf talent through my journey. I’m also incredibly thankful for Britt, who is now my wife. One of the biggest things I learned from Dancing with the Stars is that dance and rhythm are for everyone.
I would love to see more Deaf children and adults have opportunities to learn dance. Schools and colleges should provide more accessible dance classes for Deaf people. Rhythm is all around us – we can feel it through our hearts, through movement, and even through the vibrations of a car engine. Rhythm is part of everyday life. I still miss dancing today. Sometimes Britt teaches me, and sometimes I help her when she’s working with her next partner. It’s always fun, and I’m surprised by how much I still remember! I’m proud of myself for that.
What did your relationship with Britt teach you about communication, patience, and connection, especially before she knew ASL?
My relationship with Britt during Dancing with the Stars was really amazing. Our chemistry was strong from the beginning, and we became very connected because we were working so hard and truly competing. Dancing with the Stars is not easy! Britt taught me so much, and she had a lot of patience with me.
At the time, Britt didn’t know ASL, so we had an interpreter working with us. Every day, I would teach her new signs, and somehow she would remember them all the next day. Our communication kept getting better and better. Eventually, our poor interpreter would be standing in the corner waiting because Britt and I were communicating so much on our own! We became best friends. We worked together every day for three months, and after Dancing with the Stars ended, we realized we didn’t want to stop seeing each other.
We kept hanging out, and eventually we realized there was something more between us. We started dating, got engaged, and recently got married. We made history together, and it’s been an incredible journey.
What message would you share with young Deaf and hard-of-hearing people pursuing their dreams in spaces where they may not always see themselves represented?
For Deaf people today, social media has created so many new opportunities. It gives Deaf people a platform to show their skills, share their passions, and show the world what they want to do in the future. When I was starting out, we had to rely on newspapers or hope for an opportunity to appear on television or in a movie. The opportunities were much more limited.
Today, you can build your own platform and share your talent with the world through social media. So don’t ignore your skills or your passion. Keep going after what you love. There will always be challenges and struggles along the way, but if you keep pushing forward and believe in what you can do, opportunities can happen.