'America's Next Top Model' winner Nyle DiMarco slams Netflix movie 'Sierra Burgess Is a Loser' for mocking deafness

Nyle DiMarco — a model, actor, and activist for the deaf community — is sharing his thoughts on Netflix's "Sierra Burgess Is a Loser."

Since being released on Friday, fans have criticized the film and the way it handles deafness. DiMarco, who has often spoke about his experience as a deaf individual, took to Twitter on Sunday to explain why he found the movie to be problematic. 

The 29-year-old, who many will remember as the first deaf model to win "America's Next Top Model," said that he was initially "elated" after finding out that his friend's brother, Cochise Zornoza, would be playing a deaf character. In the film, Zornoza stars as Jamey's (played by Noah Centineo) younger brother Ty who uses American Sign Language to communicate with others.

When Sierra (played by Shannon Purser) and her friend Dan (RJ Cyler) spot Jamey and Ty tossing a football outside, Sierra pretends to be deaf and mute to avoid revealing herself to her crush. After Jamey explains that her brother is deaf, Sierra tries and fails to communicate with Ty via ASL — and gives him a fist bump instead. ASL — and deafness — are used as a comedic device in the film. 

DiMarco noted that rather than add more "deaf actors/representation and ASL inclusion in films," the storyline involving Ty led to "a terrible joke." He added that Sierra's attempt at pretending to be deaf was not acceptable. 

DiMarco went on to say that the movie included "homophobic and transphobic jokes as well."  Remarks and plot lines which poke fun at "marginalized/disfranchised groups," said DiMarco, are the result of being "a lazy writer."

Following DiMarco's comments, others stepped in to agree with the model. Twitter users said that they felt "angry" and "disappointed," and thought the jokes were "disrespectful."

A representative for Netflix didn't immediately respond to INSIDER's request for comment. 

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