Deaf model and activist Nyle DiMarco has slammed The Tonight Show for a recent promo in which guest Jamie Foxx jokingly pretends to translate host Jimmy Fallon’s comments into sign language.
“How was this allowed?” DiMarco tweeted, adding that the NBC teaser was “disrespectful” and lacked “cultural sensitivity.”
@iamjamiefoxx Also- @jimmyfallon @FallonTonight how was this allowed?
Where's the cultural sensitivity. Not comedy when you make fun of others.
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) May 27, 2017
The sexually fluid America’s Next Top Model and Dancing With the Stars winner also posted an open letter on Twitter.
“We simply do not make fun at the expense of other cultures, especially those with a history of being marginalized,” he wrote in the statement. “When we do this, progress takes a step backward.”
My response to Jamie Foxx making up sign language on Fallon Tonight with @jimmyfallon. pic.twitter.com/GpDN8iB9xL
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) May 27, 2017
Sir, you win yet again.
EW reports that NBC aired the promo sparingly and has reached out to DiMarco.