Antonio Díaz, better known as El Mago Pop, has become a global phenomenon in the world of illusionism. His ability to captivate audiences knows no boundaries, and this is reflected in the resounding success he has achieved at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York, one of the most prestigious stages on the planet. In fact, his talent and charisma have earned him exceptional recognition, being highlighted by Forbes as the magician who sells the most tickets worldwide.
The Catalan has been one of Risto Mejide’s guests on Traveling with Chester, where he has reviewed his career and dared to make a comparison between the Spanish and American audiences. According to him, they have nothing to do with each other.
El Mago Pop, who has his own theater in Missouri, assured that Americans have a great sense of spectacle that the artist likes very much: “The American public is more festive, so to speak. It’s more rock and roll. It’s a more festive audience. grateful. The lights go out, the show is about to start and they start shouting.”
On the other hand, Día recognized that the Spanish audience is going to see illusionism with their eyebrows raised and with an attitude little predisposed to surprise. “It’s very difficult to win applause in Spain. That’s why all this filming has been so useful to me,” she commented.
One of the most striking aspects of his career in the United States is the high price that spectators are willing to pay to see his shows, reaching 350 euros per ticket. Although he is aware that it is not possible for everyone’s budget, El Mago Pop and his team observed that demand does not decrease: “I see it expensive, I realize. But I saw that they paid and we did not lower it.” On the other hand, tickets are cheaper, but “it’s also expensive.”
The Catalan illusionist has traveled a path full of problems and learning. In this sense, he recounted a crucial moment in his career: the search for his own theater that became a life lesson when his first attempt resulted in an empty auditorium. “He didn’t need a theater, he needed an audience,” he reflected, highlighting how this experience propelled his career.
From there, he learned to capture the attention of the public, even in the most unexpected places. Since that cure of humility, millions of people have surrendered to him, including Leo Messi, Serena Williams, Shakira, Victoria Beckham and Stephen Hawking.
Additionally, Díaz shared his philosophy on illusionism: “I know that you know that what I do is not true. But we both ignored it for a while.” This vision encapsulates the essence of consensual deception, which does not always turn out well. Despite his success, he admitted to having failed at his tricks on a few occasions, noting that, in the worst cases, he only has to offer a smile if the trick cannot be saved.
On the other hand, El Mago Pop also recognized the quality of magicians in Spain, highlighting Juan Tamariz as one of the best in history, but believes that his persistence and constant search for excellence distinguish him from the rest: “I think I am very heavy. That thing with repetition and the search for excellence.”
