Las Vegas is a city like no other—widely known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, where dazzling lights, world-class performances, and unforgettable experiences come together every night. From mind-bending magic to side-splitting comedy, breathtaking dance, to high-energy spectacles, this city is home to performers who redefine their craft and push the boundaries of live entertainment.
As a kid growing up in Wyoming, I was captivated by these larger-than-life figures, dreaming of what it would be like to one day be a headliner under the glow of the Las Vegas Strip.
That dream has now become a reality. I am beyond thrilled to announce that I have begun starring in select dates as The Mentalist—the longest-running mentalism show in Las Vegas history—at the V Theaters at The Miracle Mile,next to Planet Hollywood. This isn’t just another milestone; it is a lifelong dream coming to life, an opportunity to contribute to a show that has mesmerized audiences for nearly two decades.
A Journey Begins
My story with The Mentalist began long before I ever stepped onto the stage professionally. As a kid in Wyoming, I was first introduced to the world of magic through the incredible TV specials of David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Franz Harary, and many others. These larger-than-life performances sparked my imagination, showing me that impossible moments could be brought to life through storytelling, skill, and showmanship.
Beyond television, magic was something I experienced in person every summer in my hometown. Jay Owenhouse and his family would bring their incredible illusions to town to raise money for the fire department—an event I looked forward to year after year. Watching grand illusions unfold just a few feet away made the magic feel real in a way that left a lasting impression.
As time went on, I began seeing even more magic and its many different genres. New names were making their marks—David Blaine, Criss Angel, and others were redefining magic with street performances, endurance feats, and psychological deception.
It was around the early 2000s that I caught mentalism for the first time. Unlike anything I had seen before, mentalism wasn’t about grand illusions or impossible escapes—it was about the mind, perception, and reading between the lines of human behavior. I was captivated. That’s when I saw The Mentalist.
I first saw Gerry McCambridge on television, just as I'm sure many of you have. His NBC specials The Mentalist and appearance on Phenomenon were my introductions to his work. Since then, he's been on countless other programs and his work even inspired the hit CBS scripted series The Mentalist, which millions tuned into. As I learned more about mentalism over those next few years, I developed a deep curiosity for the art. As I embarked on my own journey in entertainment as a teenager, I made a habit of reaching out to entertainers, athletes, and media personalities I admired—seeking advice, wisdom, and opportunities to learn. To my surprise, many responded, welcoming me to their shows and sharing insights. Gerry was no exception.
In 2009, as a sophomore in college, I sent Gerry an email, and he generously invited me and a close friend to his show in Las Vegas. After the performance, he took the time to answer every question I could think of. His advice was invaluable, and at the time, I couldn’t have imagined that years later, he would become not only a mentor but one of my closest friends.
Taking the Leap
Fast forward to New Year's Eve Day 2014, I made the move to Las Vegas, stepping deeper into the entertainment industry by working for an entertainment management company while continuing to perform in my free time. Over the next few years, I took on various executive roles, gaining experience in touring logistics, scheduling, and management—knowledge that would later prove invaluable when I transitioned to performing full-time.
In 2016, I found myself at a crossroads. My performing career was growing rapidly while I was also in a new role at a different organization. I had a decision to make—stay in a stable corporate job with a good salary and benefits and give up performing or take the leap and fully commit to performing, even though it came with a fair amount of uncertainty and risk.
As you can imagine, I chose the latter and it's been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
A Chance Meeting
Around the same time, I happened to cross paths with Gerry at an Apple Store. We were both waiting on Genius Bar appointments and, as we are both techies, struck up a conversation. I mentioned that he had kindly offered me adviceand had invited me to his show years prior. To my surprise, he invited me to a weekly gathering of entertainers—many of whom I’d later call friends.
From that moment, Gerry became a mentor and friend. Over the next few years, he would become one of the people I trust most in this industry.
The Road Less Traveled
Taking the leap was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. It demanded more effort than any traditional job, but it was also the most rewarding. My previous experiences in executive roles helped prepare me for life as a business owner and full-time entertainer. Over time, I started finding success—eventually performing and headlining in multiple markets across the globe every year as a magician, mentalist, speaker, host, and media personality.
This was not without plenty of hurdles and the occasional failure along the way. As I navigated the challenges, I was fortunate to have family, friends, and mentors who cheered me on, picked me up, and helped me chart my path—all while helping me find myself in the process. There are many to thank, and you’ll probably hear more about them in future installments of The News. For now, however, this spotlight is meant to be on Gerry.
His support and advice during this time were incredibly impactful. He instilled in me the importance of keeping it simple, keeping it impactful, and keeping it entertaining. He would spend hours helping me refine new ideas, teaching me routines and methods he had spent over thirty years perfecting. He was generous with his knowledge, providing me with a fast track to lessons that had taken him years to master—even though, on more than one occasion, I stubbornly tried to figure them out myself, only to realize that Gerry had been right all along.
Somehow, we had become Batman & Robin—Gerry, the seasoned hero with years of experience, and me, the eager apprentice absorbing every lesson. He shared his knowledge freely, and every now and then, I even got to return the favor, surprising him with a fresh perspective. I now realize that he was doing for me what his predecessors had done for him—sending the elevator that took him up many years ago back down for me.
A Special Trip to New York City
There’s been more than one occasion that Gerry’s story and my own have had unique similarities. As I read his bestselling book, Making The Mentalist, I noticed more than one detail that resonated with my own story. As to why that is, it could be coincidence, but there have been more than one occasions that had me dumbfounded. Here’s an example:
In December 2019, Gerry, some friends, and I traveled to New York City—to see a friend of Gerry’s and another one of my heroes in entertainment, Mr. Derren Brown, a world-renowned mentalist from England, perform his Broadway show at The Cort Theatre. Over the years, Gerry and I have had our fair share of adventures, but this one was extra special. This wasn’t just about seeing a great performance; it was about returning to a place that held deep personal significance for Gerry.
Decades earlier, as a young magician, Gerry had sat in this very theater watching one of his biggest inspirations, Doug Henning, perform The Magic Show. One day, Doug selected Gerry at random to help him with a major routine. That experience had helped set him on his own path in magic, eventually becoming friends with Mr. Henning and having him as one of his mentors.
Now, all these years later, we were walking into that same theater together—not to see a magician, but to see a mentalist—someone whose approach to performance was, in his own way, different but equally captivating.
Then, in a moment of perfect symmetry, the impossible happened—just as fate had orchestrated decades earlier. Without any information or requests from our party, Derren randomly selected me to participate in one of his routines—just as Doug Henning had randomly selected Gerry in the very same theater decades before.
After the show, we had the chance to go backstage, and Gerry stood exactly where he had once stood on stage when Doug Henning called him up—a powerful, full-circle moment. At the same time, I got to meet Derren Brown, one of my own heroes in mentalism, who was incredibly kind—just as Doug Henning had been to Gerry all those years ago. Before leaving, we recreated a photo Gerry had from his childhood, standing outside the theater—a reminder of how the magic of mentorship, inspiration, and performance continues to connect generations.
Celebrating a Milestone and the Offer of a Lifetime
In 2023, Gerry approached me with an idea—his milestone 5,000th show was coming up in the summer of 2024, a goal he had set for himself when he first brought The Mentalist to Las Vegas. He made it clear that he still loved performing and had no intention of stopping. At the same time, he saw an opportunity to continue our mentorshipand offer me the chance to work alongside him toward Becoming The Mentalist. This allowed me to grow into a rolewithin this storied show while giving him the flexibility to take some much-needed time off once in a while. Over the course of nearly a year, we worked together—discussing which elements of the show audiences had come to expect and love, how my own skill sets and routines could be introduced, and ensuring that my version of The Mentalist would have its own unique identity that was true to who I am and my character while also ringing true to what the show had grown to be over the years. After all, no one is going to out-Gerry Gerry.
That summer, preparations paused as we began working on another special project—Gerry’s 5,000th performance celebration and his Star ceremony on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame.
After several weeks of preparation among many friends and colleagues, the big day came. I was proud and honoredto serve as the host for the ceremony and broadcast. It was a long-overdue celebration, and I was grateful that so many attended, shared their congratulations, and gave Gerry his flowers—both real and metaphorical. After the event, as the dust settled, we took some time to appreciate an event done well—and then it was time to hit the ground running.
What followed over the next few months was all about refining my craft—rehearsing, working closely with Gerry, and honing every aspect of my performance, whether I was on the road or at home.
Bringing the Show to Life
Finally, on December 17th and 19th, 2024, I made my official debut as The Mentalist to capacity crowds. The audiences were welcoming, and the shows were a success. But the work doesn’t stop there. After reviewing plenty of tape with Gerry and making adjustments (something I will continue to do moving forward), I began preparations for my next run. It’s an honor and a thrill to step into this incredible legacy and officially be part of this very exclusive club. I want to do right by Gerry, the show, the audience, and everyone involved, so each show is an opportunity to improve.
Performing live as The Mentalist in Las Vegas has been an exhilarating experience, a fusion of psychological illusions, audience engagement, and high-energy entertainment. Here’s been some of my favorite parts so far:
✅ Being in a theater filled with energy and excitement, where laughter, cheers, and gasps create an atmosphere like no other.
✅ Witnessing mind-boggling feats happen right before your eyes, as thoughts are revealed, predictions come true, and the audience becomes part of the magic.
✅ Experiencing a fast-paced, interactive spectacle where no two shows are ever the same.
Every night, I step onto that stage with a deep appreciation for the show’s legacy, immense gratitude to Gerry, and overwhelming excitement for what’s ahead.
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning! I can't wait to bring more mind-blowing moments to audiences and continue my journey as The Mentalist. The adventure ahead is filled with new surprises, unforgettable experiences, and plenty of audience participation—because no two shows are ever the same!
Performing in Las Vegas has already been a dream come true, and I'm excited to take the show even further. Whether it's on the Strip or on the road, I'm dedicated to delivering unbelievable moments that keep people on the edge of their seats.
I'm also excited to see another new face join The Mentalist family—the wonderful Maya! She joins Gerry in their show, The Mentalists, as his new partner. She is extremely talented, and I can’t wait to see what new routines they come up with together.
Whether I'm onstage or they are, If you're ready to witness the impossible, grab your tickets and join us for an unforgettable night!
📅 Upcoming Headlining Shows: February 13th & 14th, 2025
🎟️ Tickets available HERE