Every season, America’s Got Talent introduces us to performers who claim to possess extraordinary, almost supernatural abilities. But few have sparked as much debate as Lioz Shem Tov, a mentalist from Israel whose audition recently took the internet by storm.
The Claim: “Everything is Real” Lioz entered the stage with a backstory that felt like the beginning of a superhero film. Claiming to have discovered his “powers” at the age of nine, he told the judges he had spent his entire childhood hiding his abilities from the world . His promise to the audience was bold: “No gimmicks, no tricks. Everything is real” .
The Performance: Expect the Unexpected When the demonstration began, the atmosphere was thick with intrigue. Lioz announced he would perform telekinesis—moving objects with the power of his mind. However, as he approached a simple ice cream cone and began his “mental exertion,” the tension quickly shifted to confusion.
As the act progressed, involving a series of mundane objects and increasingly dramatic “concentrated” efforts, the audience and judges found themselves caught between awe and uncontrollable laughter. It wasn’t long before the room realized that Lioz wasn’t just a mentalist; he was a master of subverting expectations.
The Judges’ Verdict: A House Divided The reaction from the panel was a rollercoaster of emotions. Mel B and Howie Mandel were immediate fans, praising his comedic timing and “brilliant” delivery.
Heidi Klum, however, wasn’t as convinced, labeling herself the “party pooper” and giving a firm “no” based on the style of humor. The final decision rested on Simon Cowell, who is notoriously difficult to please.
Simon’s journey during the performance was perhaps the highlight of the night. After initially hitting his buzzer in disapproval, he had a change of heart. “When it first started, I thought this is really stupid,” Simon admitted. “And then I thought… this was actually really funny”. In a rare move, Simon asked to remove his “X,” granting Lioz the third “yes” needed to move forward in the competition.
A New Viral Sensation Whether you believe Lioz Shem Tov is a “real wizard” or simply a brilliant comedic actor, there is no denying his impact. He managed to do the impossible: turn a skeptically received act into a standing ovation. As he moves on to the next round, fans are left wondering—what object will he “move” next?
Watch the full audition here:
