Alex Magala
Alex Magala | |
---|---|
Born |
Alexandr Magala 24 June 1989 Orhei, Moldova |
Occupation | Sword swallower, Entertainer |
Alexandr Magala (born 24 June 1989) is an entertainer[1] and dancer.[2]He was born in Orhei, a small town in Moldova. He won Russia's Got Talent, he was a quarter-finalist in America's Got Talent and a finalist in Britain's Got Talent. He is best known for performing[3] in Britain's Got Talent,[4] for being a semi-finalist in Ukraine's Got Talent and for being a finalist in Italia's Got Talent.[5]
Early life
Magala[6] was born to a poor family from the city of Orhei, the administrative centre of Orhei District in Moldova, with a population of 32,000. According to Magala, his family never supported what he was doing so he rebelled and didn't achieve good grades in school because he wanted to fight for and defend his beliefs and interests. His classmates mocked him, telling him that he was a loser; but this is what drove him to succeed; to prove to himself, his family and others, that they were wrong.
Education
Magala [7] moved to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, to attend college after he got his high school diploma. Soon after, he met friends with whom he formed a dance group; they went on to perform at almost every stage in the city. Magala finally felt free to follow his hobbies and interests, however he wasn't getting paid for his performances.
Career
Despite being alone and not having any contacts in America, Magala [8] risked everything and moved to Hollywood in 2011 to follow his dreams. His first ever payment was $4.50, which he earned on Hollywood Boulevard by performing the art of sword swallowing. He was risking his life with every performance and often drinking his own blood due to internal damage to his body; 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 finalist and quickly gained popularity when he appeared on TV, Radio and Newspapers in America. He reached the final of Italia's Got Talent and and later went on to win Russia's Got Talent.
Magala went on to perform at the Winter Sochi Olympic Game's opening ceremony in 2014 and in 2016 he was a finalist in the tenth series of Britain's Got Talent where, due to safety precautions, his performances were pre-recorded.[9]
Awards and recognition
- Finalist of Britain's Got Talent (2016)[10]
- Finalist of Italia's Got Talent (2013)
- Winner of Russia's Got Talent (2013)
- Semi-finalist of Ukraine's Got Talent (2014)
- Semi-finalist of Česko Slovensko má talent (2016)
- Quarter-finalist of America's Got Talent(2013)
- Performed at La France a un Incroyable Talent (2014)
- Performed at Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento (2014)
- Performed at Sochi Olympics in 2014
References
- ↑ "'Britain's Got Talent': Sword Swallower Alexandr Magala Is Show's Most Dangerous Act Ever". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "BGT sword-swallowing hopeful Alexandr Magala snorts sugar in shocking video clip". Mail Online. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Monkey. "Piers Morgan puts Simon Cowell to the sword with razor-sharp wit". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "What a swordsman! Britain's Got Talent star Alexandr Magala's secret 'porn' past revealed". thesun.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Avery Thompson. "'America's Got Talent' — Alexandr Magala Cut From Show Prematurely - Hollywood Life". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Janine Yaqoob (9 April 2016). "Britain's Got Talent daredevil Alexandr Magala is willing to DIE on the show". mirror. 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 d'un candidat de Britain's Got Talent". TVMag. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/22/britains-got-talent-2016-first-live-semi-final/