Antonio Restivo was a fire performer and magician from Season 5 of America's Got Talent. He was eliminated in the Semifinals.
Background[]
Antonio Restivo was born in Brooklyn, New York. When Antonio was just eight years old, he burned down his best friend's backyard. Of course, he knew even then, that the element of fire would change his life forever. For thirteen years before his audition, Restivo traveled across the United States teaching students of all ages how to safely spin, work and dance with fire. Teaching about fire wasn't always a glamorous or lucrative living and some nights were even spent sleeping in his van, but his passion more than made up for any lack of money coming in. Restivo now spends most of his nights thinking and working on new fire props and hanging out with his dog Bella. 1
Audition[]
Antonio Restivo's audition in Episode 503 consisted of using fire guns to set fire on objects such as his fingertips and creating the illusion of a woman appearing out of nowhere. Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel all voted "Yes," sending Antonio to the Vegas Round.
Vegas Round[]
Antonio Restivo was one of the Judge's Favorites in the Vegas Round. He was sorted into the "Danger Acts" category. His performance in Episode 511 consisted of creating the illusion of him being trapped in a box, him replacing his assistant while she disappeared, and then her being revealed to be in the box. Two other women also appeared in the box out of nowhere later. His act was very similar to Michael Grasso's audition, only with fire. At one point in Antonio's performance, one of his fire guns failed to work. Nevertheless, his performance was strong enough for the judges to send him to the Quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals[]
Antonio Restivo's Quarterfinals performance in Episode 515 consisted of creating the illusion of himself and multiple women appearing out of nowhere, while he incorporated fire into the entire act. He finished in either fourth or fifth place in America's Vote. In the Judges' Choice, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel both voted for him, sending him to the Semifinals in Episode 516 instead of Wreckless.
Semifinals[]
Antonio Restivo's Semifinals performance in Episode 525 consisted of creating the illusion of escaping from a large box despite being chained and appearing on the stair above the main stage. He did not receive enough votes to finish in at least sixth place in America's Vote, eliminating him from the competition in Episode 526.