Irish magician Aidan McCann, who is 13 years old, gave a stand-out performance on America’s Got Talent: All Stars in an episode released in Ireland this week. Competing against singers, comedians, dance groups and other variety acts, McCann stood out from the crowd with his impressive magic and humorous delivery.

The young performer’s act involved him inviting the show’s judges – Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel – to colour a superhero sketch using colours of their choice. After the sketch was completed, McCann invited host Terry Crews on stage where they ripped off their suits to reveal matching superhero costumes identical to the colours of the picture.

McCann received a standing ovation from the crowd and praise from the judges. “I love the magic but really, it is you who is the magic. I think you’re such a star,” Klum told McCann before awarding him the show’s coveted “golden buzzer”. McCann was showered with golden confetti and sent straight to the show’s final.

The Irish performer, who lives in Maynooth, first became interested in magic at 5 years old after getting a Marvin’s Magic kit as a gift. After years of improving his craft, he appeared on Ireland’s Got Talent and The Ellen DeGeneres Show in Los Angeles in 2019 and was a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent in 2020. Along with his work as a magician, McCann is also an accomplished actor who has appeared in TV series including Bad Sister and The Holiday, and will star in the new RTE drama series Clean Sweep with Charlene McKenna and Barry Ward this spring.

America’s Got Talent: All Stars, which premiered on NBC in the U.S. on January 2, brings together past winners, finalists and fan favourites from America’s Got Talent and the Got Talent franchise. The series’ final is set to air in three weeks.

You can watch Aidan McCann’s golden buzzer-winning performance below.