Alex Magala
Alexandr Magala (born 24 June 1989 in Orhei) is a Moldovan entertainer and sword swallower who won Russia's Got Talent in 2014. He was also a finalist on Britain's Got Talent[1] and Italia's Got Talent,[2] a semi-finalist on Ukraine's Got Talent, and a quarter-finalist on America's Got Talent.
Alex Magala | |
---|---|
Born | Alexandr Magala 24 June 1989 Orhei, Moldova |
Occupation |
|
Website | www |
Early life and education
Magala was born to a poor family in Orhei, the administrative center of Orhei District in Moldova, with a population of 32,000. He moved to Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, to attend college.[3] Soon after, he met friends with whom he formed a dance group; they went on to perform throughout the city.
Career
Magala moved to Hollywood in 2011 with no contacts in America.[4] His first-ever payment was $4.50, which he earned by performing a sword swallowing act on Hollywood Boulevard. He often swallowed his own blood due to internal injuries; sometimes he was unable to eat for days.
In 2013, Magala was selected to participate in the TV show America's Got Talent, where he became a quarterfinalist and quickly gained popularity. He also reached the final of Italia's Got Talent and won Russia's Got Talent.
He went on to perform at the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Sochi. In 2016, he was a finalist in the tenth series of Britain's Got Talent, where his performances were pre-recorded in case he hurt himself. He finished in 9th place.[5][6]
In 2019, he competed in Australia's Got Talent.
Awards and recognition
- Winner, Russia's Got Talent (2014)
- Finalist, Britain's Got Talent (2016)[7]
- Finalist, Italia's Got Talent (2013)
- Semi-finalist, Britain's Got Talent: The Champions (2019)
- Semi-finalist, America's Got Talent: The Champions (2019)
- Semi-finalist, Česko Slovensko má talent (2016)
- Semi-finalist, Ukraine's Got Talent (2014)
- Quarter-finalist, America's Got Talent (2013)
- Auditionee, Australia's Got Talent (2019)
- Pending, Das Supertalent (2019)
References
- Monkey. "Piers Morgan puts Simon Cowell to the sword with razor-sharp wit". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- Avery Thompson. "'America's Got Talent' — Alexandr Magala Cut From Show Prematurely - Hollywood Life". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- Isabel Mohan (15 April 2016). "Remember this face? Britain's Got Talent's Connie Talbot is all grown up and back on TV. Plus, what time and when is BGT?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- "Britain's Got Talent triumphs over The Voice final for ratings". BBC News. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- "L'incroyable performance due candidate de Britain's Got Talent". TVMag. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- Bryant, Tom (23 May 2016). "Britain's Got Talent's Alex Magala BANNED from filming live". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/22/britains-got-talent-2016-first-live-semi-final/