Audio theme
Extreme close-up of Tyler Gibgot's face in warm light, both eyes meeting the camera, one pupil fully dark from aniridia and one hazel.

Tyler Gibgot

Cognitive Scientist · Magician · Speaker
Tyler Gibgot on stage with a microphone, speaking to a large seated conference audience.

Mentalism

Sleight of hand

Trained in social psychology

Performed across 12 countries

  • EducationB.A. Cognitive Science, USC Dornsife
  • PublicationTrends in Cognitive Sciences, 2024
  • ResearchMAGIC Lab, University of Plymouth
  • Based inLos Angeles, CA

Watch the reel

Corporate events, private gatherings, red carpet galas, universities, hospitals, and more.
A new perspective on magic

Want to see a quick trick?

Pick a card. Watch it vanish.

About

I've never seen the world like most people do.

I was born legally blind with a rare eye condition affecting roughly 1 in 100,000 people. A lifelong curiosity about perception eventually found two outlets: magic and cognitive science.

In late 2024, I underwent two eye surgeries. While my sight was unchanged, my passion for sleight of hand only deepened. I held, shuffled, flourished, and riffled cards to escape the pain of recovery.

Extreme close-up of Tyler's eye before surgery, showing the cloudy blue surface of aniridia.
Tyler resting at home with a protective patch over his left eye after surgery.
A hand holding a large printed photo of Tyler's eye with its new artificial iris.
Tyler covering his left eye with his hand beneath neon casino lights.
One eye at a time · Las Vegas
Instagram · @tylergibgot Instagram · @ty.magic LinkedIn · Tyler Gibgot
Origin & Giving Back

Where it all began.

I picked up sleight of hand in the middle of the 2020 pandemic and performed for thousands of strangers over video chat. That same year I started a virtual magic show for Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, and I've kept it going ever since.

Tyler in a face mask fanning a deck of blue playing cards toward the camera, one ace flipped face-up.
Sleight of hand, mid-pandemic
Patients and families in the KidZone TV studio watching Tyler perform magic live on a large screen.
Patients watching the show live · Mount Sinai
The full story →
On Magic

The brain is the magician.

Years of performing, studying, and writing about magic, condensed into what I actually believe.

  • 01 Magic is not a practice. It's a feeling. Anyone can practice sleight of hand for hours and execute a deceptive card trick. Not many can perform magic. The props are just tools for creating wonder.
  • 02 Your brain sees what it expects. Magic works because the mind oversimplifies the world, focusing on what it predicts and discarding what it doesn't. The stronger your expectations, the easier they are to play.
  • 03 Magic brings people together People laugh together, question together, and leave talking to people they hadn't met before. No matter the language. No matter the background.
Discover Magic Theory →
Magicians don't really fool the eye. They show you how much of your reality your brain creates.
Research

Published author.

Can people who are blind experience magic? Most people say no. Our research says otherwise. Working with blind and low-vision participants, we built illusions from touch, sound, and expectation instead of sight, and published the result.

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Magic for the Blind: Are Auditory Tricks Impossible?

Kuhn, G., Gibgot, T., Thomas, C., & Ekroll, V. (2024). Magic for the blind: are auditory tricks impossible?. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

Read at Cell.com → The research, the conference, and the INSIGHT project →
Testimonials

In their words.

“

Tyler was an unforgettable addition to our Cullinan Series II launch event.

Rolls-Royce
“

I've never seen anything like this before. Well done. Bring it on Fool Us one day.

Teller · Penn & Teller
“

I have to change my phone password now.

Lily James
“

One of the best tricks I've ever seen.

Victoria Justice
“

Mind-blowing. Well done.

Francis Mercier · DJ
“

Thank you Tyler for making some special moments for our patients and families.

Mount Sinai Child Life
“

I spent the rest of the night trying to figure it out. I failed.

Guest reaction
“

You're a legend. Can't wait to see you on the big stage.

Josh Richards
“

You're next up.

Lil Jon
“

Not only did our patients have fun and get lost in the magic for 30 minutes… thank you for another wonderful show!

KidZone TV · Mount Sinai
“

I have no explanation for what I just watched.

Guest reaction
“

People who had never met were suddenly talking because of his performances.

Event guest
“

That's going to stay with me.

Guest reaction
“

I need this guy in one of my videos.

Guest reaction
Performed For

Audiences, clients, and events.

From private events to red carpets. A selection of the events, organizations, and people I've performed for:

  • Rolls-Royce
  • The Golden Globes 2024 Art of Elysium Gala
  • NBC
  • Yelp
  • Howie Mandel
  • Leon Thomas
  • Ty Dolla $ign
  • David Dobrik
  • Amber Rose
  • Teller, of Penn & Teller
  • Victoria Justice
  • Jeremy Allen White
  • Lily James
  • The cast of Outer Banks
  • Chase Stokes
  • Madelyn Cline
  • Madison Bailey
  • Larry June
  • The Alchemist
  • 24kGoldn
  • Josh Richards
  • Nick Nayersina
  • Desi Perkins
  • DJ Francis Mercier
  • Lil Jon
  • Inanna

Among many other events, clients, and guests.

Tyler Gibgot performing a card trick tableside for Victoria Justice and friends at a restaurant.
Performing for Victoria Justice · Beverly Bar, Los Angeles
Speaking

Talks on magic, memory, and perception.

I speak at universities, conferences, and companies. Every talk includes live magic, performed on the audience, then broken down.

The Brain Is the Magician Magic for the Blind How the Brain Creates Reality Memory Is More Fragile Than You Think
Full talk list, lectures, and reels →
Tyler in profile holding a microphone, mid-sentence, presenting beside a projection screen.
On the mic · Conference talk
Recognition & Press

Moments that meant the most.

At USC's main commencement, President Carol Folt acknowledged my story and my research on magic and accessibility in front of 80,000 people. NBC Los Angeles put me on air live that same morning.

Legally blind magician graduates with the USC Dornsife Class of 2025 USC Dornsife Researchers seek, and find, a magical illusion for the ears Science News Legally blind magician dazzles USC community Daily Trojan
Commencement, NBC, documentaries, full press →
President Folt's address
NBC LA's Instagram story from graduation morning: Tyler in cap and gown with reporter Brittany Hope, captioned about his 11 a.m. appearance.
The morning story · @nbcla
USC
NBC
Golden Globe Awards
The Art of Elysium
Contact

Book me for your next event.

Talks, interviews, performances, and research collaborations.

tgibgot@gmail.com  ·  Based in Los Angeles