Netflix's Deaf U is the first reality TV series to focus on a cast composed entirely of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Producer Naimah Holmes and executive producer Nyle DiMarco are getting people talking and singing! Deaf U breaks down barriers and dispels misconceptions about deaf culture and the deaf community. The series is becoming a quick favorite among Netflix streamers, and the cast is gaining clout as well. Twenty-one-year-old Cheyenna Clearbrook, who has already had a successful career as an influencer, is among the fan favorites. With a touch of pink in her bleach blonde hair and a flawless fashion sense, it's easy to see why she has such an impressive social media following. But after seeing the show, fans are obsessing over her for totally different reasons.
Throughout most of the show, Cheyenna juggles her YouTube channel, relationship struggles, and feelings of isolation. She openly tells Rodney, who is clearly trying to sleep with her, that she hopes to find love one day, but doesn't feel like she is ready to break down her emotional walls just yet. She also tells BFF Cameron her feelings about being disconnected from the most "elite" students at Gallaudet.
So what does it mean to be an "elite" member of the deaf community? According to the series, being "elite" means that someone comes from a long line of deaf family members. Socio-economic status is at play, but so is the high school a person went to, and their fluency in American Sign Language (ASL). Even things like using a cochlear implant can be something that's looked down upon. At Gallaudet, this looks a little like Regina George and the plastics, but before the whole "this [tiara] belongs to all of us" speech. Like way before. Think, "you can't sit with us!" Rumors fly quickly, and as Cameron says, "they'll come for you. They'll demolish you." Despite beauty, smarts, and millions of YouTube views, Cheyenna never feels fully accepted by Gallaudet's "elite" clique. In fact, during episode 2, many girls gather around a laptop and mock Cheyenna's YouTube channel. They accuse her of catering too much to the hearing world - behind her back, of course.
In episode 3, "Am I Not Deaf Enough," Cheyenna has a heart-to-heart with cast member Alexa, who is recognized as being a member of the "elite" crew. Cheyenna asks her directly about the girls "talking shit about [her] YouTube videos." Alexa admits what happened and explains that she actually really likes hanging with Cheyenna. Unfortunately, not everyone treats Cheyenna with the same level of honesty. At one point, a girl at a party says she wants to "strangle her," and then proceeds to hug her. In response to some pretty Mean Girls style bullying, Cheyenna makes drastic changes to her life. Check out episode 8, "It's Time to Grow Up," to find out what happens.
While she may not feel like she is the most beloved student at Gallaudet, she does have real connections there. Of course, she has Cameron, but she also finds friendship in Alexa, Renate, and Talya. Not to mention, the internet is going wild over her! If you haven't started watching the totally binge-able Deaf U, what's stopping you?
Source: Cheyenna Clearbrook