By Don Chareunsy
Rhode Island native Mat Franco won “America’s Got Talent” in 2014, the TV competition’s first magician champion. Poof! Entering his 10th year in The Mat Franco Theater at The Linq Hotel, the new father and father-to-be still reigns supreme as a Las Vegas Strip headliner with “Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly.”
Franco answered questions in his theater post-show on Oct. 1. Here are highlights from the conversation from the charming and incredibly likable Franco:
How does it feel to be a Las Vegas headliner after nearly a decade?
I still pinch myself on the way to work. It’s pretty unbelievable. Dreams come true, I guess.
How much has “Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly” changed over the years?
It’s had many lives over the past nine or so years. It has changed a lot. The most recent revamp was a complete overhaul from top to bottom – a full production makeover of new material that I’m really excited to be doing.
I always want to be doing the show that I want to see, and the show I want to see evolves as I do. That’s why I always like to keep it fresh, hence the name “Magic Reinvented.”
What do you like most about the revamp and revisions?
What do I like most about it? Gosh, I don’t know if there’s any one thing. For me, I do magic and perform for audiences because I love doing it. For me, magic is self-expression. Performance is self-expression.
I need to be authentic and in the now. In 2015 when I opened, I was doing what was authentic for me at the time. As we evolve, as an artist, it’s like a musician evolving with albums. It’s not one thing; it’s the whole thing. Does that make sense?
Is there anything you remember from your opening night or maybe your first year that still stands out nine years later?
I remember being very green and not knowing what I was doing (laughs). At that time, I was 25 or 26 years old. I had been doing magic for 20 years, but I still felt like, because of all the greats who came before me – and not just magic but all performers and entertainers – it really is an honor to be able to do this.
There is excitement in having such big shoes to fill. I also wake up now 36 years old still excited with that beginner’s mindset because I think it’s important.
Has there ever been a performance where some of your tricks have not worked?
Many, many, many times, oh my gosh, yes, absolutely! There are so many. We just celebrated 2,500 shows just at The Mat Franco Theater at The Linq, not including tours and other performances from age 10 onward, just this room. When you do that many shows, anything that can go wrong has gone wrong.
I’ve had someone pass out onstage. I caught her while she was falling. You never know what people are going to do and say when you bring them up onstage. It’s been so much fun over time. I’ve had things appear where they’re not supposed to be, like borrowed items. There have been many failed attempts (laughs).
You’ve lived in Las Vegas since 2015. What do you do for fun when you’re not working?
I had a baby in January of 2023, so that has been an exciting endeavor and occupies most of my time. My wife is also expecting, due in March. We have a baby boy and now a baby girl on the way, so family time has been a huge part of the last two years of my life, and it has been amazing.
We like to stay local. I come to the Strip when I’m working. When I’m not working, I like to go for walks outside. I like to go to local places like Downtown Summerlin and see what’s going on. Maybe see a movie during the day. Go to a nice, quaint restaurant. I like quiet things where I can bring the baby (laughs).
I believe your contract ends next year. Any plans to extend or leave?
I’m at a place where I can’t say anything concrete yet, but after an amazing 10 years together, I wouldn’t be shocked if we renewed our vows (laughs). Caesars Entertainment has truly been amazing partners. I always look forward to what the future holds.
What do you enjoy most about “Mat Franco: Magic Reinvited Nightly” after all these years?
Doing the show is my favorite part. I can now focus most of my attention on the part that I love, and I have an amazing team that now does all things I used to do as a one-man show. Just being able to share with the audience and get their reactions and see them enjoying themselves, that is the most fulfilling for me.
You’ve had a great career – winning “America’s Got Talent” and headlining on the Las Vegas Strip – what’s another goal for you in life?
I tend to set broad goals. I never put on a dream board “Win America’s Got Talent” or even “go on America’s Got Talent” or “have a show in Las Vegas.” I tend to make more realistic goals that are a little broader like make magic full time.
Everything that came after that was the result of hard work. It’s all icing on the cake now. I just want to be able to share what I do and self-express for those who need it the most, to have output that resonates with people in a strong way. To be able to do that in a meaningful way is what it’s all about for me right now.
What would be one thing your family, friends or fans would be surprised to learn about you?
I think even my friends would be surprised to learn that I consider myself an introvert. They consider me a people person, and as much as I do love people and interacting, for true extroverts it charges their batteries. For me, I’m tired after a day of socializing (laughs). I’m an introvert with extroverted qualities.
Do you stay on top of your content? Are you trying new things? (The final questions are from guest Thomas Bassett.)
Yes! Look, I’ll show you (points at his cell phone). I put this down today: Work on new stuff (laughs). I’m always exploring new ideas. No ideas are really ever done. Magic is ever evolving.
More: MatFranco.com + Caesars.com/Linq
