Hearing
Unimpaired

Martin Ritchie was just 16 when he moved to Los Angeles from his hometown of Austin four years ago. On a mission to follow his heart, Ritchie says he wasn't about to let his gayness -- or deafness -- hold him back from discovering his true path, which has led him most recently to season 4 of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. Ritchie is one of 12 new models recruited this time around. Dickinson has vacated her Hollywood office and moved the agency into a Big Brother-type "model house" in the Hollywood hills, where she can keep tabs on the models' diets, exercise regimens, and extracurricular activities. The Advocate caught up with Ritchie on the eve of the season's premiere on the Oxygen channel (Tuesdays at 10; check local listings).

Which is the bigger challenge: being the only gay model in the JDMA house or the only deaf model? I'd say being the only deaf model is the bigger challenge. Also, J.P. Calderon [from season 2] has moved into the house, and knowing he's gay makes me feel better and more comfortable in some ways.

Have any of the models attempted to learn sign language? They certainly have shown sincerity, kindness, and respect toward me, which I appreciate. Some of them really wanted to learn sign language, and I thought that was really sweet.

Can you lip-read? If so, have you caught any of the models talking trash about you? I can read lips -- a few times I thought I saw some of the models talking about me. But seriously, who cares?

Janice lives in the house! Is she mommie dearest?[Laughs] I'd say the models see her as a den mother -- it's a good thing!

Janice loves the gays. Does this give you an advantage? Maybe, but truthfully, she loves everyone. I believe she loves gay men because they know how to pamper her!

Are you taken? I'm single.

Do you prefer hearing men or deaf men? Strangely, I prefer dating hearing men.

If modeling isn't in your future, what would you like to do? I would be a dentist! I am so obsessed with teeth. Seriously. Whitening, flossing, etc. I even look out for my friends' teeth!