Jonathan Burns was a contortionist act from Season 14 of America's Got Talent. He was eliminated in the Judge Cuts. Jonathan Burns returned in Season 19 as a magic act where he was eliminated in the Quarterfinals.
Background[]
Jonathan Burns is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Jonathan Burns came to AGT as due to Lancaster being Amish Country it was hard for him to become famous at home considering how so few people have access to the internet. Jonathan Burns’ ultimate dream and ambition is to headline his own show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jonathan Burns always thought he was special. He was the kid who would put his leg over his head in gym class, get the dance party started at any wedding, or perform musical armpit farts to impress girls.
At age twelve, a magic shop opened near his hometown of Johnstown, PA, and a family friend took him on opening day. “I think she thought it would be a good way to direct my never-ending energy,” Burns joked. “At the time I thought it was the coolest place on the planet, but looking back I realize it was a small closet, inside a pizza shop, where a local magician had a few tricks for sale. None of that mattered, it was amazing!”
Jonathan would show up every weekend and come home with new tricks, and then would try out his new found “powers” on his family, friends, and basically anyone who would watch. Eventually, someone took notice and asked him to perform at their daughter’s birthday party. He bought a sparkly vest, threw all of his tricks in a suitcase, shoved some silk scarves up his sleeves, and wowed those kids for about 20 minutes (it was a pretty long scarf)! “Maybe it was the laughter and applause from the audience or the $20 I made, but that’s when I knew I needed to be in show business!”
Throughout middle school and high school Jonathan performed at dozens of birthday parties, church functions, camps, and nursing homes. “While my friends got jobs bagging groceries and flipping burgers, I was out wowing crowds of people with my little magic act. I’m not sure if my show was truly entertaining, or if people just liked seeing a cute kid on stage, but I’m glad people kept calling!”
“I left for college in 2000, and at my freshman orientation I showed my roommate a card trick. He was so excited that he made me show everyone from table to table in the cafeteria. People started calling me ‘Magic Jon’ and you could usually spot me on campus riding my unicycle to class.” While in school, Jonathan’s act started to break away from the traditional magician’s tricks, and he began experimenting with other skills including juggling, stand-up comedy, contortion, and sideshow stunts. Eventually, these new talents made their way into his variety show. In 2004, Jonathan graduated from college with a degree in Art Education. “I’ve been lucky enough to perform full-time since then, and I never had to get a ‘real job’.”
Over the past twelve years his talents have taken him to over 400 college campuses across the United States and to special events in 9 countries around the globe. He has also performed stunts on The Jay Leno Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. When he’s not on stage he can usually be found in an airport terminal or spending time with his lovely wife and two daughters. [1]
Jonathan, as a magician, appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us where he failed to fool the duo, and was on the children's television show, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.
Season 14 Audition[]
Jonathan Burns' audition in Episode 1402 consisted of crawling out of a suitcase on stage, contorting his body through a toilet seat and a tennis racket while dancing and stripping to reveal more clothes underneath. Howie Mandel, Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union, and Simon Cowell all voted "Yes," sending Jonathan to the Judge Cuts.
Season 14 Judge Cuts[]
Jonathan Burns' Judge Cuts performance in Episode 1410 consisted of putting a trash bag over his head, and then using his hand to flip a blob of whipped cream into his mouth before teaching Terry Crews how to do the same thing. Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell buzzed the act. Jonathan's performance was not strong enough to advance to the Quarterfinals, eliminating him from the competition along with Kara with a K.
Season 19 Audition[]
Jonathan Burns returned in Season 19 as a magic act. Jonathan Burns’ performance in Episode 1908 consisted of inviting Heidi Klum and Sofía Vergara on stage to perform a magic trick where he was initially given 10 slices of cheese from the pair before having the pair hide the remainder of the cheese, before moving 2 slices from Heidi’s pile into Sofía’s pile. Although Simon Cowell voted “No”, Howie Mandel, Heidi and Sofía voted “Yes”, sending him to the next round.
Season 19 Deliberations[]
Jonathan was selected to advance to the Quarterfinals.
Season 19 Quarterfinals[]
Jonathan Burns' Quarterfinal performance in Episode 1915 consisted of performing a comedic magic routine where he attempted to escape from a straightjacket while tucked into a sleeper sofa. Simon Cowell buzzed the act. He did not receive enough votes to enter the top 5 of the night in Episode 1916, eliminating him from the competition instead of Solange Kardinaly.
Trivia[]
- Jonathan Burns and Schumacher were the only acts to be buzzed in the Season 19 Quarterfinals.
External Links[]
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