Cosentino, one of the world’s most successful young illusionists, will appear in the semifinal result announcement night of Vietnam’s Got Talent 2014- the third local version of the British “Got Talent” franchise.

The Australian magician will make his Vietnam debut appearance at the event, which is set to take place at 8pm tonight, December 7, to be aired live on national channel VTV3.

Cosentino, 32, will showcase three of his most spectacular acts in illusion, dancing and his hallmark “Escape” feats at the event.

TV viewers in Vietnam can also watch his illusion shows on K+1 channel starting January 9, 2015.

Cosentino shared in an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper that as he was young, he suffered a phobia about crowds and found it quite hard to mingle with his peers.

“One day, my mom brought me a book on illusion and I was instantly drawn to how the magicians performed their stunts. At 13, I was once accidentally locked out of my house, and I managed to pick the lock, a skill which I  continue to hone since. I think illusion has chosen me since then,” he shared.

The artist added he joined his first magic show at 17.

“It was quite hard to earn a decent living by performing illusion acts back in the 1990s. I was quite young then, but I never considered doing another job to earn supplementary incomes. Illusion has spurred me to get over the toughest times in my life. I read somewhere that ‘pursue passion, success will pursue you,” he stressed.

Paul Cosentino, better known by his stage name Cosentino, is an Australian illusionist and escapologist much loved for his unique, daring acts.

According to Wikipedia, on Feb 17, 2010 Cosentino, in honor of Harry Houdini’s jump off Queen’s Bridge in Melbourne on the same day in 1910, performed a tribute underwater escape act inside the Melbourne Aquarium.

Chained, shackled, handcuffed and secured to a 60 kg concrete block, Cosentino was sunk to the bottom of the main tank in Melbourne Aquarium – approximately four and a half meters deep.

Surrounded by sharks and sting rays, he managed to free himself from his bonds using only a lock pick within 3 minutes 39 seconds.

Cosentino came second in the 2011 series of Australia’s Got Talent, to the dismay of his fans.

The artist was also announced winner of Australia’s “Dancing With The Stars”- the local version of an American dance competition- in November 2013, along with his dancing partner Tamara V.

The Vietnam’s Got Talent 2014 show began airing on national channel VTV3 in late September.

The show highlights stunts and acts in various entertainment areas which are performed by people from different age brackets and walks of life.

The winner will pocket an award of VND500 million (US$23,534.)