‘AGT’ Season 19: Who is Jonathan Burns? Talented comedian and magician previously appeared on NBC show
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: Jonathan Burns is a multi-talented entertainer known for his comedy, magic, and contortion skills. Fans may recognize him from his previous appearance on 'America's Got Talent' Season 14, where he wowed audiences with his contortion act but unfortunately did not make it past the Judge Cuts. Now, he is back for 'AGT' Season 19 with a new magic act that is sure to impress the judges and viewers alike.
Jonathan's audition for 'AGT' Season 14 was a unique and unforgettable one. He began by emerging from a suitcase on stage, showcasing his incredible flexibility by contorting his body through a toilet seat and a tennis racket.
As the comic danced and stripped off layers of clothing to reveal more underneath, the judges, including Howie Mandel, Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union, and Simon Cowell, were all impressed and gave him a unanimous "Yes" vote to advance to the next round, the Judge Cuts.
During his Judge Cuts performance, Jonathan entertained the audience by putting a trash bag over his head and skillfully flipping a blob of whipped cream into his mouth using only his hand. He even got host Terry Crews involved in the messy fun, teaching him how to do the same trick.
However, judges Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell weren't impressed and buzzed the act. Unfortunately, Jonathan's performance didn't meet the standards needed to advance to the Quarterfinals, leading to his elimination from the competition alongside fellow contestant Kara with a K.
'AGT' Season 19: When did Jonathan Burns begin performing magic?
From a young age, Jonathan Burns believed he was unique and different from the rest. He was the one who could effortlessly contort his body in gym class, kickstart the dance floor at weddings, and even woo girls with his talent for creating musical armpit noises.
Jonathan's confidence in his abilities set him apart from his peers and made him stand out in any crowd. When he was twelve years old, a new magic shop appeared in the vicinity of his hometown in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. A close family friend invited him to visit on the grand opening day of the shop.
“I think she thought it would be a good way to direct my never-ending energy,” Jonathan joked.
He went on to say, “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 regularly make appearances on weekends, showcasing his latest tricks and illusions to his family, friends, and anyone willing to watch. His talents did not go unnoticed, as he was eventually invited to perform at a young girl's birthday party.
The contortionist prepared for the event by purchasing a flashy vest, packing his tricks in a suitcase, and stuffing silk scarves up his sleeves. The children at the party were captivated by his 20-minute performance, which included a particularly long scarf trick.
“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!” he shared.
During his time in middle school and high school, Jonathan entertained audiences at various events such as birthday parties, church gatherings, summer camps, and nursing homes. While his peers were working traditional jobs like bagging groceries and working at fast food restaurants, Jonathan was busy captivating audiences with his magic act.
He was unsure if his performances were genuinely enjoyable or if people simply appreciated seeing a young and talented performer on stage, but he was grateful for the continuous support and calls for his shows.
'AGT' Season 19 magician Jonathan Burns reveals he's 'never had a real job'
Jonathan Burns left for college in 2000 and during his freshman orientation, he impressed his roommate with a card trick. This led to him gaining the nickname ‘Magic Jon’ and becoming known for his talents on campus.
Riding his unicycle to class, Jonathan’s act evolved beyond traditional magic tricks to include juggling, stand-up comedy, contortion, and sideshow stunts. These new skills eventually became part of his variety show.
After graduating in 2004 with a degree in Art Education, Jonathan pursued a full-time career as a performer, grateful that "he never had to get a real job."
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Jonathan Burns appeared on 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us'
Jonathan made an appearances on both 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us', where he was unable to deceive the famous duo, and the popular children's TV show, 'Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood'. Throughout the past twelve years, he has showcased his talents at more than 400 college campuses in the US and at various special events in nine different countries across the world.
Additionally, Jonathan has performed daring stunts on well-known television shows such as 'The Jay Leno Show', 'The Late Show with David Letterman', and 'The Late Late Show with James Corden.' When he is not dazzling audiences on stage, he can often be found navigating airport terminals or enjoying quality time with his beloved wife and two daughters.
'America's Got Talent' Season 19 airs every Tuesday at 8 pm ET on NBC.
