Pasadena, California, USA, June 16, 2026 — British magic duo Young & Strange advanced on America’s Got Talent Season 21 with a close-up illusion performed directly at the judges’ table, overcoming a buzzer from Simon Cowell mid-performance to win over the rest of the panel.
Richard Young and Sam Strange, childhood friends from the UK, have performed together for 15 years, honing their act across four consecutive years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Since 2013, they have headlined “Champions of Magic,” billed as the world’s largest international touring magic show, and performed in the West End’s “Wonderville” at the Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. They have also appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us three times, in 2011, 2017, and 2025, without fooling the duo on any attempt. One of their earlier stunts, photobombing a live Sky News broadcast outside the Houses of Parliament, drew roughly 50 million views online and UK tabloid attention.
A World-First Grand Illusion
For their AGT audition, billed on-air as a “world-first grand illusion,” Young & Strange brought the act directly to the judges’ table. One performer climbed into a cardboard box while the other drove more than a dozen wooden rods through it, leaving his partner unharmed.
Cowell pressed his buzzer partway through the routine, ending it early for him, but the other three judges overruled him with enthusiastic yes votes. Vergara called it ‘the perfect audition,’ while Mel B. described the routine as ‘craaaaazy magic.’ Mandel said he would pay large sums of money to see the duo perform in Vegas.
Advancing to the Live Shows
Young & Strange were among 18 acts the judges advanced unanimously to the Live Shows following the audition round, without needing to appear in the subsequent Judges’ Callback Round. They join Hundred Fingers among the magic acts representing the season heading into the live rounds, which begin August 18.
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