Teen magician Cillian O’Connor amazed the judges on Britain’s Got Talent—while revealing onstage that he has autism
Any magician who can make milk disappear, conjure up cards out of nowhere, and make a jar of jelly beans appear out of thin air is likely to have a successful magic career. But when all those things are done onstage by a teenager—well, it’s even more impressive.
Thirteen-year-old Cillian O’Connor appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and did all that and more—but what made his magic routine truly unforgettable was how he used the tricks to craft a story onstage, revealing to the judges and audience that he has autism.
“I have learned that having autism is not a disability, it’s an ability. When I was younger, I was unable to interact with people,” Cillian said as he moved confidently around the stage and performed tricks. “I felt a bit empty, incomplete. I felt invisible. After discovering magic, my life changed. It was like a light switch coming on inside my head.”
At that line, he snapped his fingers and a light turned on onstage.
“I found a way to interact with people through my magic,” he added.
Cillian’s routine earned him an entirely unsurprising standing ovation from the crowd. It also impressed the judges, especially Simon Cowell, which is no easy feat.
“Wow, you are unbelievably talented. Seriously,” Cowell said after Cillian finished his act. “There is something really, really incredible about you, and I do believe in magic, and you are such an amazing performer. Brilliant, brilliant.”
Judge Bruno Tonioli agreed, adding, “I was totally, totally captivated by what you were doing. For somebody so young, it’s an incredible quality. You have a fantastic future in front of you.”
All four judges gave Cillian the “yes” votes he needed to move on to the next round.
“When I grow up, I want to be a magician,” he said in his pre-show interview. “What I like about magic is just trying to make people smile.”
Mission accomplished.
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