Two weeks ago, Ariana Grande dropped a controversial video for her latest single “7 Rings.” This week, sexually fluid model Nyle DiMarco released his own version in American Sign Language.
DiMarco, 29, who was the first deaf winner of America’s Next Top Model in 2015, has been using his fame to advocate for closed-captioned videos for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
After Grande’s “Thank U, Next” video was released in November, DiMarco tweeted to Grande requesting captions be added to the video so “466 million people with hearing loss” can also enjoy the viral video.
Could you ask @Vevo to add captions for 466 million people with hearing loss
(Deaf here and we do enjoy your music) https://t.co/e0YSC0lBJg
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) November 30, 2018
Though Grande’s “7 Rings” clip is captioned, DiMarco, with the help of director Jake Wilson, created an ASL-version—which Grande thinks is dope.
beyond love this so much https://t.co/mO0LSPpal5
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) January 28, 2019
