Peters magician thankful for ‘America’s Got Talent’ experience
His final trick was “spot-on and well received,” but it wasn’t enough to carry Peters Township illusionist Mike Super into the “America’s Got Talent” finale.
“I made it to the top 12 of 100,000,” Super said of the televised talent competition. “While it’s disappointing, I’m also very proud.”
Super’s final appearance on the show aired Sept. 10, and while fans and family members claimed “America got it wrong,” Super said the opportunity was invaluable.
“At any given time, the smallest audience was 14 million and the largest audience was 20 million,” he said. “The network exposure was just great. I’ve got new fans everywhere.”
Super said the last few months were busy with tours for his personal show and filming and preparation in New York City for the live televised event. He’s happy things have slowed down.
“It’s so great to be back and switch my mind off,” he said.
Super said he was “constantly thinking” about improving his performance, including his final trick in which he solicited dollar bills from the audience and predicted, based on the serial number, which one would be picked. Super said he made his prediction a week in advance and correctly predicted which dollar bill judge Nick Cannon selected.
“Howard Stern, who is the skeptic, asked to keep the bill and prediction,” Super said.
The Clairton native and University of Pittsburgh graduate is no stranger to television. In 2007, he took home $250,000 after coming out on top on NBC’s “Phenomenon,” which pitted magicians against one another. He also appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’ daytime talk show and appeared around the country on live shows. Super said plans are in the works to create his own reality show.
“I’m working with a production company on a weekly cable series,” he said. “It’s a completely new concept revolving around magic.”
Super said he can’t give more details about the show until it’s done.
Super said the support of his hometown during his “America’s Got Talent” run was motivational.
“Pittsburgh has been fantastic. I was really putting myself out there, and everyone has an opinion,” Super said. “But Pittsburgh made me feel like one of the Steelers. Most people don’t get to see others rally around them like that.”
In an effort to express his appreciation and help the community, Super is holding two shows Oct.4 at Trinity High School to benefit Community Action Southwest. Tickets can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com/e/mike-super-magic-illusion-tickets.