Regarding his experience on the reality competition, America’s Got Talent, he said, “That was a pretty crazy experience. I watched this show for years, hoping to see a magician win. Honestly, the direction it was going, I had pretty low expectations. I was just hoping to get some video footage doing some cool things. I never expected that I would make it through to the next round. To hear my name called as the winner was just amazing, and it has changed my life 180 degrees.”
On being afforded the privilege to work with judge Howard Stern, he said, “That was pretty amazing. Before America’s Got Talent, I would perform in colleges and I would listen to him all the time in the car on the radio. I have always been a big fan of Howard’s, so to be able to chat with him, and perform for him, and to receive positive criticism from him meant a lot coming from him.”
Franco revealed that his audition for America’s Got Talent involves his favorite type of magic. “It is personalized, it is fun and engaging and my favorite type of magic. It has that fun element to it,” he said. He subsequently added that his second favorite magic trick on the show was the one he performed with Mel B’s iPhone.
He is very excited about his upcoming residency at The Linq Theater in Las Vegas, as part of his “Magic Reinvented Nightly” shows. “That is another thing that I can’t believe I am even talking about. Basically, we are starting off on August 5 at The Linq Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas strip. The location is just unbelievable. It is pretty awesome, and we start off really soon. This is going to be a chance to perform live for people who have seen my illusions on TV. It is going to be interactive and the fans can be there in the front row. I really want people to be a part of the show. It is going to be fun, intimate and it is a full-scale production,” he said.
For more information on his “Magic Reinvented Nightly” shows at The Linq, click here.
His greatest influences in magic include Jeff McBride, Lance Burton, Penn & Teller and David Copperfield. “I am standing on the shoulders of many of the great performers that came before me, that paved the way for magic to flourish,” he said. “I can recite all of the dialogue in the magic shows I grew up watching. Just the way people can recite their favorite movies from beginning to end, I am not a movie buff, but when it comes to those magic shows, those were my jam.”
To learn more about esteemed magician Mat Franco, check out his official website.
