Johnny Wu: On a Magical Level

Magic is something that has captured the imagination of audiences since the history of mankind. From King Arthur’s mythical magician Merlin to the witchcraft and wizardry of Harry Potter, our screens are full of references to this intangible otherworldly power. Magic has become such a staple part of our lives that we often use phrases derived from magical performances without even noticing it. Have you ever pulled a rabbit out of a hat, for example? Well, celebrity magician Johnny Wu certainly has. Although, these days, his performances may be a tad more sophisticated than that. 

Who is Johnny Wu?

 If you happened to walk past Johnny Wu on the street in Los Angeles, you may think that he is just another young Asian boy hoping to rub shoulders with someone famous. However, behind the fresh face and friendly disposition lies an accomplished celebrity magician who has come a long way since he first hit the streets of LA.

When Johnny Wu was 13 years old, he was sent abroad on his own to study. Because Johnny was not yet fluent in English—it was his third language—he could not communicate and interact well with his peers. Often bullied and picked on by his classmates, Johnny suffered from poor self-esteem and struggled to fit in at school. Without any parents or friends to turn to, Johnny felt completely alone and dejected. 

One day, while watching a video clip of a magician’s performance, Johnny felt a rush of inspiration. He realized that the magician did not say a single word but used his magic to captivate the audience. Thus, by his own volition and without a mentor, Johnny taught himself a variety of magic skills from sleight of hand to showmanship. As his self-taught skills in magic grew, so did Johnny’s confidence and persona. Soon, he found that he could make friends and influence people through the universal language of magic, and he embarked upon the path of becoming a career magician.

Although Johnny’s goal of becoming a professional magician was a challenge without access to money or resources, he was undaunted. The first office for his magic business was his college dormitory, and he took on the task of designing and marketing his brand. After years of hard work and accumulating positive reviews on Yelp, Jessica Alba’s The Honest Company hired him to perform at the LA Children’s Hospital. Since then, Johnny Wu has grown to become one of the most sought-after celebrity magicians, performing for A list celebrities and billion-dollar corporations.

The Mentalist

Since his initial brush with magic, Johnny Wu has studied ancient Chinese mysticism, hypnosis, and mind-reading in addition to perfecting his art of magical sleight of hand. He has managed to add a twist of modern technology to his magical performances, creating unique experiences that transcend far beyond top hats and card tricks. Aside from bearing the coveted title of celebrity magician, he is also frequently referred to as a mentalist.

Unlike traditional magicians who only deal in smoke and mirrors, mentalists have the added advantage of welding the power of human psychology. Mentalists are performing artists who possess such highly developed skills of perception and persuasion that they often trick audiences into believing that they have supernatural powers. Italian magician Girolamo Scotto from the late 1500s is considered to be the first recorded mentalist, although the field has evolved a lot since then.

Mentalists are renowned for their incredible memory and attention to detail. They can remember numbers, names, or images with much more speed and clarity than the regular person. They are likewise adept in the art of reading non-verbal cues and behaviors, a technique known as cold reading. Through their mastery of advanced techniques, mentalists can read minds, influence thoughts, and perform magic that leaves their audiences speechless. 

As a father to a beautiful little girl, Johnny is full of pride when he looks back upon his journey. Magic gave him the chance to change his life. Through creativity and hard work, Johnny has achieved his dream of marrying the girl that he loves (by way of a proposal flash mob, no less), making his parents proud, and doing what he loves for a living.

Johnny’s down-to-earth persona is a key part of his prowess as a magician and mentalist. His ability to connect with anybody in the crowd and infuse them with his passion sets him apart from most celebrity magicians. As part of his genuine love for the craft, Johnny has created Team Wu Magic, where he trains apprentices and talented individuals and give them the opportunity to become master magicians like himself. 

We all need a little bit of magic in our lives. Each magical experience is unique to Johnny Wu. Through his magic, he hopes to inspire his audience, create amazing memories, and change the way that we look at the world.