Benjamin Déziel
| Benjamin Déziel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Canadian |
| Other names | Magic Ben |
| 🏫 Education | Arsaniq School (Kangiqsujuaq), École CSSC Mercier (Whitehorse) |
| 💼 Occupation | Magician, Entertainer |
| Television | Canada's Got Talent (2023), France's Got Talent (2023) |
| 🌐 Website | https://magicwithben.com |
Benjamin Déziel (born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec), known professionally as Magic Ben, is a Canadian magician and entertainer who gained national recognition as a contestant on the third season of Canada's Got Talent in 2023.[1][2] He is known for his card tricks and performances across Canada, particularly in northern communities.[3]
Early life and education
Benjamin Déziel was born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. At six months of age, he moved with his family to Kangiqsujuaq, a small fly-in community of approximately 800 residents in Nunavik, northern Quebec, where he spent his formative years.[1][4] The community is accessible only by air, with no road connections to the rest of Canada.[2]
Déziel attended Arsaniq School in Kangiqsujuaq. He later moved to Whitehorse, Yukon in 2019, where he attended École CSSC Mercier and was one of the school's first three graduates.[4][1] As of April 2023, he was residing in Saskatoon.[1]
In addition to English and French, Déziel learned to speak Inuktitut from Markusi Qisiiq, a family friend from Kangiqsujuaq.[1]
Career
Early interest in magic
Déziel's interest in magic began at age nine when he witnessed a magician performing a routine called "the linking rings" at his parents' wedding.[1][2] When he asked his father how the trick worked, his father told him that if he wanted to know, he would have to become a magician himself.[2]
Growing up in the remote northern community of Kangiqsujuaq, Déziel would wake up as early as 4 a.m. to practice magic tricks and watch tutorial videos on YouTube, despite the challenges of slow internet connections that sometimes required hours for videos to load.[1][2] He has stated that he turned to magic as an outlet to deal with bullying at school.[1][2]
At age 14, Déziel traveled to the United States to further his magic education.[4] While attending school in Whitehorse, he created a magic club to teach his classmates magic tricks.[4]
Performances and development
Before gaining national attention, Déziel performed at various venues including the Aqpik Jam Music Festival in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik.[1][3] In February 2020, he opened for World Champion of Magic Shawn Farquhar in Whitehorse.[2]
Déziel initially applied to be a contestant on Canada's Got Talent but was not selected. He applied again and was accepted for an audition in October 2022.[3] During his audition, he performed in front of an audience of 5,000 people and received a standing ovation.[3] His performance included making a deck of cards disappear and turn into a cube of glass in judge Lilly Singh's hand.[1] All four judges voted "yes" to advance him to the next round, with judge Kardinal Offishall being so impressed by one of his tricks that he temporarily walked off stage.[2][1]
Déziel advanced to the semi-finals of the competition, which aired in May 2023.[3] His audition video received over 1.8 million views on YouTube.[3]
France's Got Talent
In 2023, Déziel appeared on Season 18 of "La France a un Incroyable Talent" (France's Got Talent).[5] His audition, which featured card magic and sleight of hand, was uploaded to the official France's Got Talent YouTube channel on November 15, 2023.[6] Performing in French, Déziel advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition.[5]
His quarter-final performance, titled "Magic is in the Air with Magic Ben," was uploaded to the show's official YouTube channel on December 6, 2023.[7] The performance featured card magic and audience interaction.[7] While he did not advance to the finals, his appearance on the show expanded his international audience.[5]
Performance style
Déziel performs under the stage name "Magic Ben."[8] He specializes in sleight of hand and crowd interaction, but also practices mentalism and illusion.[4][1] He performs in both French and English, reflecting his bilingual background.[4]
Following his appearance on Canada's Got Talent, Déziel reported being booked for performances across Canada, the United States, and Europe, with television appearances scheduled for the following year.[2]
Personal life
Déziel is the son of Denis Déziel and Julie Gagnon.[4] While not Indigenous himself, he grew up in an Inuit community and has expressed gratitude for the support he received from the people of Nunavik.[1][3] His former school director described him as curious and motivated to learn.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 "From Nunavik to national TV: 19-year-old 'Magic Ben' recalls his start in northern Quebec". CBC News. April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Magician makes Canada's Got Talent semi-finals". Whitehorse Daily Star. May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "For Magic Ben's next trick: Appearing in finals on Canada's Got Talent?". Nunatsiaq News. May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "Un jeune magicien du Grand Nord canadien à la conquête des spectateurs du pays". Radio-Canada. May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "ICYMI: Magic Ben sur La France A Un Incroyable Talent". Canada's Magic. January 11, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ↑ "♠️ Magic Ben Brings Magic On Stage, Young but Bold he does an amazing performance 🃏". France's Got Talent YouTube channel. November 15, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Magic is in the Air with Magic Ben - The public go crazy in France's Got Talent - Quarter Finals". France's Got Talent YouTube channel. December 6, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ↑ "Special Olympics Presents Magic with Ben". Special Olympics Yukon. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
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