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SYDNEY, Australia, February 23, 2026 — The Sydney Opera House has hosted some of the world’s great performers. Asi Wind just added his name to that list when he stepped on stage for his first-ever Australian engagement on Monday evening at the Sydney Opera House.

The Israeli-born mentalist and close-up magic master will perform his More Than Magic show through March 1st. For a performer who has sold out Off-Broadway runs, conquered the West End, and produced one of the most-watched moments in Penn & Teller: Fool Us history, the Sydney Opera House feels like a natural next chapter — though Wind himself seems genuinely moved by the venue’s symbolic weight.

“It’s my first visit to Australia, and even better, I get to perform at the Sydney Opera House,” he said ahead of opening night. “Whenever I tell my friends, they’re amazed, because the Sydney Opera House is so iconic and respected. It’s truly a privilege to perform there.”

 

The week-long run, presented by Charlie Mortimer Entertainment, brings one of contemporary magic’s most philosophically distinct voices to an Australian audience for the first time. Hailed by The New York Times as “one of the great magicians of our time,” Wind holds both the Close-Up Magician of the Year and Magician of the Year awards from the Academy of Magical Arts at Hollywood’s Magic Castle — the latter an honor previously bestowed on David Copperfield and Penn & Teller.

A Minimalist’s Maximum Impact

More Than Magic strips the stage of elaborate apparatus. Wind works with a deck of cards, a few envelopes, and the audience itself — and reportedly, that’s more than enough. The 80-minute show is described as blending illusion with storytelling, touching on themes of identity, perception, and human connection. He might memorize a crowd-shuffled deck in under thirty seconds, solve two Rubik’s cubes simultaneously while blindfolded, or conduct the entire audience in song. A card might vanish from the deck and appear in a spectator’s wallet. Another might reveal itself exactly when — and where — Wind intended, every single time.

That consistency is something insiders have long discussed in reverent tones. His ability to force a card with unwavering precision is widely considered among the finest in the world, a product of decades of disciplined refinement that began, unexpectedly, from a place of personal struggle.

From Holon to the World

Wind grew up in Holon, near Tel Aviv, a self-described shy and timid child who found in magic something more valuable than applause: access to other people. His uncle introduced him to a few tricks at age 13, and a visit to a magic shop — where he witnessed the vanishing handkerchief — lit a fire that never went out.

“Magic offered me something that nothing else did,” he has said. “It was a shortcut to opening the door, to meeting people.”

He relocated to New York at 21, beginning again from scratch. He worked Washington Square Park, performing for passers-by who had no particular reason to stop. The experience sharpened something essential in his craft: the ability to earn attention fast and hold it completely.

“You need, in a very short time, to convince people that it’s worth stopping whatever they’re doing in their lives and spending time with you,” he said.

His trajectory accelerated dramatically after he connected with David Blaine, eventually serving as Blaine’s chief creative consultant for more than a decade — a collaboration that shaped both of their careers and helped establish Wind’s reputation within the inner circles of American magic.

 

The Point Isn’t the Trick

What separates Wind from many technically gifted performers is the clarity of his artistic conviction. He is remarkably direct about what drives him, and it isn’t the trick.

“My love is not for magic. My love is to connect with people,” he told J-Wire during his first days in Sydney. “You meet somebody, they’re guarded, and you do a trick, and everything melts away.”

That philosophy — magic as a social solvent — has guided every phase of his career, and it’s evident in how his shows are structured. Inner Circle, his Off-Broadway production, ran for over 450 performances across six extensions and became a New York Times Critics’ Pick, drawing coverage from the Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker. Incredibly Human held the West End for six months. Both shows lean into the same core idea: the audience isn’t watching a performer demonstrate skill; they’re participants in something they’ll struggle to explain afterward.

His appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us became a landmark moment for the show, accumulating over 18 million views — one of the most-watched segments in the program’s ten-season run.

Performance Details

Asi Wind: More Than Magic runs through Sunday, March 1st at The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House. The show is 80 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for ages 12 and up. Tickets are $99, with an optional VIP Meet & Greet available for an additional $65. Booking is through sydneyoperahouse.com.

24-year-old Connecticut native and Cirque du Soleil performer defeats seven finalists in live finale where viewer voting chose the winner.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 17, 2026 — Las Vegas magician and mentalist TJ Salta has been crowned the winner of Netflix’s Star Search, claiming the $500,000 grand prize in Tuesday night’s live finale that saw millions of viewers worldwide casting the deciding votes.

The 24-year-old from Norwalk, Connecticut triumphed in a finale determined entirely by viewer votes with no input from celebrity judges Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen—a first for Star Search.

The finale began with four head-to-head matchups between the eight category champions. Viewers scored each performer on a five-star scale, and the top four performers advanced to a final multiple-choice vote: Salta, 15-year-old magician Harry Merlin Piper from Spain, aerialist duo Duo Vespertilio, and singer Steven “Spud” Howard.

Among all the acts that competed over five weeks of competition, the final moment came down to four performers standing on stage with host Anthony Anderson as the winner was announced—with two of them being magicians.

“This is the real magic right here,” Salta said following his victory.

From High School Injury to Vegas Headliner

Salta’s path to Star Search glory began with an unexpected twist—a high school sports injury that gave him time to master sleight of hand routines. His first major performance came at a school football game when he noticed “hundreds of people were watching me instead of the game. They started shouting my name instead of the name of the team.”

That moment sparked a professional career that would see him make history at age 21 as the youngest magician to headline on the Las Vegas Strip. He performed nightly in Cirque du Soleil’s “Mad Apple” at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, where he captivated audiences with his unique blend of street-style charisma, close-up sleight of hand, and real-time mind reading.

Inspired by magicians Shin Lim and David Blaine, Salta carved out a niche in what he calls the “seductive side of magic”—intimate, close-up performances that feel less like tricks and more like superpowers demonstrated live.

A Dominant Run

Throughout Star Search’s nine-episode run, Salta established himself as one of the competition’s most consistent performers. Week after week, he defended his Variety Magician/Mentalist category championship with increasingly complex performances that left both judges and audiences baffled.

His performances regularly earned him near-perfect scores. In Week 5, he achieved a combined score of 4.68, including perfect 5-star ratings from all three judges. Judge Jelly Roll, who admitted “I don’t love magic. It creeps me out,” was repeatedly won over by Salta’s performances.

“You don’t know how bad I don’t want to like you. I think he’s definitely smug and cocky and handsome,” Jelly Roll said after one performance. “Every week you bring the thunder to this building. I was so involved in the drama when you were upside down. You got us dude. You made me love magic.”

Fellow judge Chrissy Teigen praised his ambitious, multi-layered illusions that incorporated audience participation, music, and mentalism in ways that even the judges couldn’t decipher.

The Entrepreneurial Magician

Salta’s success extends beyond the stage. An entrepreneurship major at Quinnipiac University, he built his magic career from the ground up, choosing his college major strategically. “There’s no magic major. I looked everywhere,” he explained. “I’m doing my own thing, and my passion is close-up magic, so once I decided to get serious about this, I had to figure out stuff like how to do my own branding and promote myself.”

His business acumen has led to high-profile performances for celebrities including David Copperfield, Kevin Hart, and Miranda Lambert, as well as appearances at major televised events including Super Bowl LVI, the NFL Draft, and the NHL Stanley Cup.He also claimed top honors on “Connecticut’s Got Talent” in 2018 and hosted the Magic Insider program on the Talent Recap YouTube channel before landing his Cirque du Soleil contract.

A Global Platform

The Star Search victory represents a career-defining moment for Salta, who now joins a lineage of talent competition winners and notable contestants including Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, and Adam Sandler—many of whom didn’t win but used the platform to launch iconic careers.

Host Anthony Anderson emphasized throughout the season that Star Search’s legacy wasn’t just about winners. “All of those people … didn’t make it to the final round or didn’t win, and we look at the careers that they’ve had since then,” Anderson noted.

For Salta, who has already performed for millions in Las Vegas, the Netflix platform offers something even bigger—a global audience and the validation that his modern approach to magic resonates beyond the casino floor.

What’s Next

With $500,000 in prize money and the Star Search crown, Salta is positioned to expand his already impressive career. His performances have been praised for bringing a contemporary, urban sensibility to magic while maintaining the technical precision and showmanship that define elite close-up work.

The victory also validates his business-minded approach to building a magic career in the modern entertainment landscape—from his college choice to his social media presence to his willingness to take on the pressure of live television competition.

As host Anthony Anderson announced his victory on the Star Search stage Tuesday night, TJ Salta proved that sometimes a high school sports injury can lead to the biggest break of all. The young magician from Connecticut is now positioned to become one of magic’s biggest names—and he’s got the Star Search title and half a million dollars to prove it.

MACAU, Feb. 14, 2026 — Macau’s Chinese New Year entertainment lineup takes a magical turn this year with the arrival of Drummond Money-Coutts —known professionally as DMC—for his Macau debut. The British magician and mentalist will present six shows from February 19-24 at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, bringing a performance style that emphasizes psychological illusion and audience interaction over large-scale stage spectacle.

DMC represents a distinct lineage in modern magic: a performer whose aristocratic pedigree—he’s a scion of the Coutts & Co banking family and heir to the Latymer barony—intersects with rigorous study of illusion technique and mentalism. His career has spanned more than 52 countries, with performances ranging from theater productions to what he describes as “ultra-interactive encounters” that prioritize direct audience connection.

From British Banking Heir to International Mentalist

The performer’s background provides unusual context for his approach to magic. While his family heritage connects to one of Britain’s oldest private banks, DMC has built his reputation on intimate performances that strip away theatrical distance. His television work includes the Netflix series Death by Magic, which explored dangerous illusions with historical context, and National Geographic’s Beyond Magic with DMC, both of which extended his reach to international audiences.

DMC’s performance philosophy centers on what he calls “subtlety and the experiential”—a deliberate contrast to the visual spectacle that has characterized much of Las Vegas and Macau’s magic entertainment in recent decades. His close-up work, particularly with cards and mentalism, has earned recognition among magic practitioners for technical precision combined with narrative framing that contextualizes each effect within broader themes of possibility and perception.

The Macau Engagement: Intimacy Over Spectacle

For his Macau debut, DMC is maintaining tight control over advance details, citing the fundamental role of surprise in his performances. “Naturally surprise is such a fundamental element of my show—I wouldn’t like to ruin anything for my audiences in advance,” he explains. “The show will be a very interactive experience for every single member of the audience, with a beautiful range of visual miracles, surprises, mind reading… and an impossible finale that people will talk about for months.”

The emphasis on individual audience participation represents a departure from much of Macau’s magic entertainment, which has historically favored large-scale illusion shows in casino theaters. DMC’s approach requires a different venue dynamic—one where proximity and psychological engagement create the theatrical tension rather than mechanical apparatus or elaborate staging.

“I’d like my audiences to experience everything in the show for the very first time, but there will be a host of different impossibilities,” DMC says of his signature style. “From beautiful card magic to impossible mind reading, interactive experiences to psychological impossibilities. My show is much less about large illusions and colorful boxes, it’s much more about the subtle and the experiential. No question, this will be something that nobody has experienced before.”

A Different Kind of Magic for Macau Audiences

DMC’s mind-reading demonstrations form the core of his reputation among both audiences and magic professionals. His performances reportedly leave even committed skeptics questioning their assumptions about private thought—an effect that requires not just technical method but careful attention to psychological presentation and timing.

His articulation of magic’s history and techniques, combined with contemporary theatrical sensibilities, creates what observers have described as a cinematic quality to live performance. The challenge for any close-up performer in a resort theater environment is maintaining intimacy while reaching sufficient audience size—a balance DMC has reportedly refined through extensive touring.

The six-night engagement during Chinese New Year positions the performances within Macau’s peak entertainment season, when resort properties traditionally program high-profile acts to attract visitors during the holiday period. DMC’s booking suggests Grand Lisboa Palace’s interest in diversifying its entertainment offerings beyond the large-scale production shows that have long dominated the market.

Ticket information is available by visiting the SJM Resorts website.

Las Vegas, Feb. 13, 2026 — Penn & Teller returned to the stage Thursday night at the Rio Hotel and Casino, ending a nearly month-long hiatus following Penn Jillette’s ankle surgery.

Jillette, 70, broke his left ankle January 16 after falling while carrying laundry at his Las Vegas home. The injury required surgery and forced the cancellation of all shows beginning that weekend through the duo’s return February 13.

The timing carried a layer of irony. The accident occurred during Penn & Teller’s 25th anniversary month as headliners at the Rio — a residency that remains the longest continuous headlining run at a single Las Vegas hotel. Performing nearly 300 shows annually, the duo’s schedule leaves little margin for interruption.

“We are sorry to have to cancel this weekend’s shows,” Jillette wrote in a since-expired Instagram story following the accident. “I broke my ankle yesterday and on doctor’s orders, I am not able to do the show.”

 

According to manager Glenn Alai, the production returned largely unchanged. Minor adjustments were made to accommodate mobility, but the structure and pacing remain intact.

For working magicians and longtime observers of the craft, that distinction matters. Long-running productions depend on tightly calibrated blocking, sightlines, prop choreography, and timing — in Penn & Teller’s case refined over decades. Even a temporary physical limitation introduces tangible staging challenges.

Thursday’s return performance carried the rhythm of continuity. Teller’s precision and silent timing remained sharp. Jillette’s narrative command — seated or standing — held the room.

Penn & Teller’s partnership now spans more than 50 years. Through projects such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us, international touring, and their decades-long Las Vegas residency, they have built a reputation not only for skepticism-infused illusion, but for discipline.

The return was not framed as triumph over adversity. It felt quieter than that — the continuation of a schedule, a structure, a partnership.

For fans who waited through canceled dates, it marks the resumption of a beloved show. For performers watching closely, it offers a pointed reminder:

In magic — as in all live performance — conditions may change. The commitment does not.

NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2026 — The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts opened “Mystery and Wonder: A Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York City” on February 12, showcasing more than 300 rare artifacts from the largest public library collection of magic materials in the United States.

The exhibition, which runs through July 11 in the Vincent Astor Gallery at Lincoln Center, celebrates the era from the 1870s through the 1930s when New York served as an international hub for magic performance. The timing carries special significance, coinciding with the centennial of Harry Houdini’s death on October 31, 1926.

Curated by Annemarie van Roessel, assistant curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division, the exhibition draws from the library’s Billy Rose Theatre Division archives to present the stories of legendary performers including Houdini, Harry Kellar, Alexander and Adelaide Herrmann, Howard Thurston, Black Herman, and Max Malini.

At the heart of the exhibition sits the collection of Dr. Saram R. Ellison, co-founder of the Society of American Magicians. His donation to the library includes more than 40 wands used by famous magicians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rare books on magic dating from the 18th century through the 1910s, and early documents and photographs from the Society of American Magicians.

The exhibition also features 48 original lithograph posters showcasing iconic magic performances, magic props and tricks illustrating the ingenuity of stage magicians, and rare photographs of magicians both in performance and behind the scenes, including examples of trick photography.

The exhibition is designed to evoke the interior of an early 20th-century magic shop, with one room recreating the historic Martinka magic shop that served New York’s magic community. The presentation explores how magical knowledge was transmitted through communities and lineages of performers, with apprenticeship, mentorship, and collaboration ensuring that tricks, techniques, and performance styles were preserved and refined across generations.

An opening gala was held February 11, with magician Steve Cohen delivering remarks. Cohen, who performs “Chamber Magic” at the Lotte New York Palace, previously hosted a benefit performance in October 2025 that raised funds to support the exhibition.
“To stand in that institution – surrounded by archivists, scholars, fellow magicians, and members of the press – and talk about magic not as novelty, but as culture, history, and art… that felt deeply meaningful,” Cohen wrote on his website following the gala. “For years, magic lived in footnotes. Passed hand to hand. Whispered backstage. Preserved in scrapbooks and fading photographs. Seeing it presented with scholarly care and institutional respect was something special.”

The exhibition explores how magic evolved alongside popular entertainment during the Golden Age, with performers embracing new technologies including photography and early motion pictures, as well as innovations in stagecraft. Magic was intertwined with spiritualism, theatre, and circus traditions during this period, reflecting broader cultural and social currents.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is offering guided tours of the exhibition and related programming throughout its run. The library’s collection of magic materials represents a significant resource for researchers and enthusiasts studying the history of magic performance in America.

“Mystery and Wonder: A Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York City” is free and open to the public at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Shelby Cullom Davis Museum, Vincent Astor Gallery, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, through July 11, 2026.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 12, 2026 — Fifteen-year-old magician, comedian, and ventriloquist Harry Merlin Piper from Salou, Spain has advanced to the finale of Netflix’s Star Search. The young performer is seeking to add another achievement to an already impressive collection of international accolades by competing on the premier season of Netflix’s modern reboot of the iconic talent competition that originally launched the careers of stars like Britney Spears and Beyoncé .

On Tuesday night’s eighth episode, Piper locked in his spot in the finale competition. He survived eight weeks of elimination rounds that left him standing as Champion in the Variety Juniors Category.

The finale airs Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live on Netflix, where Piper will compete for the $500,000 grand prize against winners from three other categories — Steven “Spud” Howard in the Music Category, Duo Vespertilio in the Variety Category, and Movement 55 in the Dance Category.

With his blend of wonder, humor, and showmanship, Piper has wowed audiences and the celebrity judging panel—including country-pop star Jelly Roll, actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, and television personality Chrissy Teigen. The live nine-episode series, hosted by Anthony Anderson, allows viewers to vote in real-time as a fourth judge.

Watch Harry Merlin Piper in last performance before advancing to semi finals

A Prodigy with a Pedigree

Harry arrives at the Star Search finale as one of magic’s most decorated young performers. He made history as the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Magic Circle‘s Young Magician of the Year award in 2024/2025, and went on to compete at the FISM World Championship of Magic in Italy in 2025—magic’s equivalent of the Olympics. He has also claimed honors at the Society of American Magicians Stars of Tomorrow competition in Texas.

His path to international recognition was paved by his father, Rodney James Piper, an award-winning illusionist, magician, and comedian who founded the House of Illusion in Salou back in 2003. For more than two decades, the elder Piper has built one of Spain’s premier magic entertainment venues through RJP Entertainment, which now operates over twenty shows across Europe and attracts up to 300 guests nightly to its world-famous dinner and mystery show.

Growing up as a resident performer at his father’s venue, Harry honed his craft surrounded by world-class talent. The House of Illusion has become a training ground for magicians, with dozens of well-known performers getting their start by working seasons under Rodney’s mentorship. For Harry, it was the ultimate magical education.

A Multifaceted Performer

Harry is a multifaceted entertainer skilled in magic, illusions, ventriloquism, and manipulation. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Catalan, he has captivated audiences worldwide and been featured on various television shows before landing on Netflix’s Star Search stage.

On Star Search, he has distinguished himself by blending theatrical expertise with youthful energy and innovation. His performances have wowed judges and audiences alike with a unique combination that showcases both technical mastery and infectious enthusiasm—a signature style honed through years of performing at the House of Illusion.

The show’s judges have consistently praised his performances, with scores regularly exceeding 4.0 stars out of 5.

“You should not be in the junior category,” Jelly Roll remarked after one of Piper’s early performances, noting his advanced showmanship and technical skill that rivals adult professionals.

Judge Sarah Michelle Gellar praised his stage presence, calling his ability to command the audience at such a young age “amazing.” Fellow judge Chrissy Teigen noted after one recent performance, “You are way more badass than we saw last week. What you started out with was so cool to see. I loved the closeup magic so much but then I got to see your showmanship. We got to see all forms of you.”

Throughout the season, Harry has delivered increasingly spectacular performances that combine intimate close-up magic with elaborate stage illusions—a signature blend that reflects the House of Illusion’s own multi-faceted approach to entertainment and his training in multiple magical disciplines.

Ready for the Final Act

As the finale approaches, Piper is both grateful and energized. “This whole journey has been unreal, and I’m so grateful for every bit of support that’s got me this far,” he said.

On Instagram, he shared his excitement with fans: “I honestly can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s the big one — the FINAL!” The post encouraged his followers to tune in and vote for him on Tuesday night.

A Magical Legacy

For the Piper family, Harry’s success on the international stage represents not just personal achievement, but a testament to the magical legacy his father has built in Salou over the past two decades—a legacy now poised to reach a global audience. With a Magic Circle title, and now a Star Search Category Championship under his belt, Harry Merlin Piper is proving that the future of magic is in very capable young hands.

Tune in Tuesday, February 17th, to watch, vote, and find out if rising star Harry Merlin Piper pulls a $500,000 check out of his hat.

Editor’s Note

This is a difficult story for Conjurly to publish. David Copperfield is one of the most successful illusionists in history and a towering figure in the magic community. However, the recent release of the Epstein files has brought renewed attention to his documented connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As a news source serving the magic community, we have a responsibility to address significant developments involving major figures in our field, even when those developments are troubling. This article focuses strictly on documented facts from court records, FBI files, and credible reporting. Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not constitute proof of wrongdoing, and David Copperfield has never been charged with any crime related to Jeffrey Epstein.

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LAS VEGAS, Feb. 9, 2026 — The Justice Department’s late January 2026 release of more than 3 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities has placed magician David Copperfield back in an uncomfortable spotlight, with some entertainment industry observers and Las Vegas locals calling for MGM Resorts to end his long-running residency at the MGM Grand.

The files, released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Trump, include phone message pads, FBI investigative memos, photographs, and court depositions that document a connection between the famed illusionist and Epstein, the financier who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

What the Documents Show

Phone message pads seized from Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion show that Copperfield, sometimes recorded as “Magic David,” left 16 messages for Epstein over several months in 2004 and 2005. The notations include phrases such as “it’s important,” “just called to say hello,” and “it’s jackpot.”

Among the most significant revelations are FBI investigative notes from 2007 stating there was “a clear connection” between Copperfield and Epstein, and recommending further investigation to determine whether the two “engaged in referring possible victims to each other.” The investigation was initiated after a woman accused Copperfield of sexual assault on Copperfield’s private island in the Bahamas. That investigation closed in 2010 without charges being filed.

A partially redacted October 2007 email described in the files characterizes Copperfield as “Epstein’s favorite cohort” and states that tickets with backstage passes to Copperfield’s shows were a frequent gift Epstein gave to young women. Additional FBI memos reference what agents described as a “business list” that “appears to be a compilation of females that he targeted for sexual conquest,” with claims that Copperfield’s staff were trained to identify young women in audiences and bring them backstage.

The document release also included undated photographs showing Copperfield and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate now serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking, posing together in bathrobes.

Testimony from Epstein’s Victims

In a 2016 deposition unsealed in 2024, Johanna Sjoberg, who has accused Epstein of abuse, testified that she attended a 2004 dinner at Epstein’s Palm Beach home where Copperfield performed magic tricks. According to Sjoberg’s testimony, Copperfield asked her whether she was aware that “girls were getting paid to find other girls.” When asked if Copperfield was a friend of Epstein’s, Sjoberg answered yes.

Alfredo Rodriguez, Epstein’s former housekeeper, testified in a 2009 deposition that Copperfield visited Epstein’s house “maybe two or three times” and “came to the house, played tricks” before leaving. Rodriguez added that girls weren’t naked in the house while Copperfield was present.

In a separate 2016 deposition, when Epstein was asked whether he and Copperfield had “been together in the presence of minor girls under the age of 18” and whether he had “ever provided girls under the age 18 to David Copperfield for sexual purposes,” Epstein invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Copperfield’s Response and Legal History

Copperfield’s legal representatives have consistently denied that he was friends with Epstein, characterizing them as “at most, acquaintances” who met only a handful of times. His lawyers have stated that Copperfield “was completely unaware of Epstein’s horrific crimes” and that he has never been charged with any crime.

The 2007 FBI investigation into Copperfield began after former Miss Washington contestant Lacey Carroll accused him of sexual assault on Copperfield’s private island. Federal prosecutors investigated for two years before closing the case in December 2009 without filing charges. Carroll was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with making false statements to police regarding an unrelated sexual assault allegation in 2009, to which she pleaded guilty to obstruction.

In May 2024, The Guardian published an investigation in which 16 women accused Copperfield of sexual misconduct spanning four decades, including allegations of drugging and assault. Copperfield’s representatives issued a strong denial, stating the characterizations were “the exact opposite of who David is.”

Professional Impact

The Epstein file revelations have had tangible professional consequences. In January 2024, shortly after Copperfield’s name appeared in unsealed court documents, the global charity Save the Children ended a partnership for an elaborate illusion stunt that had been scheduled for February 2024.

Following the latest document release in late January 2026, Las Vegas influencers and social media users have called for MGM Resorts International and the Nevada Gaming Control Board to cancel Copperfield’s residency at the MGM Grand, where he has performed for years. As of mid-February 2026, Copperfield’s shows remain listed among the property’s entertainment offerings, and neither MGM nor Copperfield’s representatives have issued statements regarding the renewed scrutiny.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has broad authority under state law to investigate the suitability of individuals connected to licensed operations and can recommend actions including fines, license suspension, or revocation. Any formal regulatory action would require an investigation and hearing before the Gaming Commission.

Context and Perspective

It’s important to note that appearing in the Epstein files does not constitute evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The files contain millions of pages accumulated during investigations and include references to hundreds of individuals who had varying degrees of social, professional, or business contact with Epstein. Many prominent figures named in the documents have denied knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities or any involvement in misconduct.

David Copperfield has never been criminally charged in connection with Jeffrey Epstein or any related matter. The FBI investigation from 2007 was closed without charges, and Copperfield has maintained that allegations against him are false.

For the magic community, these revelations present a difficult reckoning with one of the art form’s most commercially successful and influential practitioners. Whether further developments emerge from the ongoing examination of the Epstein files remains to be seen.

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This article will be updated as new information becomes available.