5 Things To Know About Fil-Am Magician Anna DeGuzman
Billie Eilish was recently on a press tour to promote her new concert movie, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D). One of the stops was on an episode of Complex’s Interview with a Magician, where, as the name suggests, she was interviewed by a magician. But the interview went viral for how Billie was visibly smitten and captivated by the host and her card tricks.
That magician was Filipino-American cardist, mentalist, and illusionist Anna DeGuzman, who is no stranger to spreading whimsy and wonder with audiences around the world. When most imagine a magician to look like a man wearing a cap and hat and accompanied by their beautiful assistant, Anna is helping change the game on how magicians can act and look, while also making a name for herself as a top female artist in her field. Get to know more about the Filipina magician who charmed Billie Eilish below.
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Anna DeGuzman’s Early Life and Filipino-American Background
Anna DeGuzman was born and raised in the Philippines as the only child of a single mom before moving to the US. While most Filipino mothers would aspire for their children to grow up and enter professions like business and medicine, Anna took a decidedly different path, becoming a magician.
It was a decision that Anna’s mom didn’t fully understand at first, but after seeing her daughter’s success, she has become a proud supporter. “We have only gotten closer through this experience, because entertainment, being on TV, is not a world that my mom has ever known or planned on being a part of. But, she is so proud and supportive. I know I get a lot of my bravery from her,” Anna shared in an interview.
While Anna currently resides in the US, she remains proud of her Filipino roots and has been back to the country over the past couple of years.
How Anna DeGuzman Discovered Her Passion for Magic
Since she was a kid, Anna has been attracted to magic and the astonishment that comes with the centuries-old act. But it wasn’t until she turned 18 that she decided to turn a hobby into a profession and pursue a career as a magician. Her strengths lie in close-up card magic, combining her gift of sleight-of-hand with her natural charisma and talent. She would work her way up the Los Angeles magic scene, such as joining the Magic Castle Junior Members program, before she would get her big break in 2023.
Anna DeGuzman’s Breakthrough on America’s Got Talent
Before Jessica Sanchez won America’s Got Talent in 2025, there was another Filipina who almost won the show just two years prior. In 2023, Anna competed on the 18th season of AGT, where she quickly became a fan-favorite after securing four “Yes” votes from the judges during her audition. She made it all the way to the finals, where she ultimately finished in second place behind dog training act Adrian Stoica and Hurricane.
While Anna didn’t win the show, she did make history in the process. The Gen Z artist became the first female magician to land a spot in the finale of America’s Got Talent, is currently the highest-placing female magician in the show’s history, and the only solo magician to finish as the runner-up.
She would return to the competition for AGT: Fantasy League, where she competed as a member of Howie Mandel’s Dream Team and made it to the semi-finals. Also, this wasn’t the first time Anna competed on an iteration of the Got Talent franchise, as she appeared on season 10 of Australia’s Got Talent just a year before her AGT stint, but was cut in the deliberations.
Anna DeGuzman As a Rising Star in Modern Magic
Following her run on America’s Got Talent, Anna parlayed her success on the show into a career as a magician from the new generation. She’s amassed hundreds of thousands of followers across her social media pages. Among her achievements over the past couple of years are appearances on Nickelodeon, Disney, and ESPN, going viral on social media with her magic videos, and collaborations with brands like TikTok, the NBA, and Savage X Fenty. Aside from Billie Eilish, Anna has also interviewed and worked with celebrities such as Zayn Malik and Jason Derulo. Quite fittingly, Anna was also named a brand ambassador for Bicycle Playing Cards, the 141-year-old playing cards company.
How Anna DeGuzman Is Breaking Barriers for Women in Magic
Whenever a Filipino goes viral abroad, it’s usually due to their singing abilities, but Anna is making a name for herself as a magician, which just goes to show that Filipinos can really do well in many fields. But Anna’s success is also notable in how she’s been doing it all as a young Filipina in an industry that has been dominated by men, with women typically relegated to the sidelines.
Anna is giving magic a contemporary spin, attracting a new generation of fans and serving as a modern representation for an often overlooked profession. As a woman, she’s proving that women succeeding in magic can be done and helping shift perceptions of what it means to be a magician, while as a Filipino, she’s showing that success doesn’t have to be defined by the typical paths that Filipinos have often associated it with.
Featured Image and Photos: ANNA DEGUZMAN (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Born and raised in the Philippines as the daughter of a single mother, Anna moved to the United States and began pursuing magic professionally at age 18. Despite the unconventional career path, she honed her skills in the Los Angeles magic circuit and became a member of the prestigious Magic Castle Junior Program. Her mother, initially unfamiliar with the entertainment industry, has since become her biggest supporter and a source of her “bravery.”
During Season 18 of America’s Got Talent in 2023, Anna became the first female magician to ever reach the show’s finale. Finishing as the runner-up, she currently holds the record as the highest-placing female magician in the franchise’s history. Her success continued as she returned for AGT: Fantasy League as a member of Howie Mandel’s “Dream Team,” reaching the semi-finals.
Anna specializes in “cardistry” and close-up sleight-of-hand, a discipline that focuses on the fluid, acrobatic manipulation of playing cards. Unlike traditional stage magicians who rely on large props, Anna uses her natural charisma and extreme manual dexterity to perform illusions inches away from her audience. This modern, intimate style helped her land a prestigious role as a brand ambassador for the 141-year-old Bicycle Playing Cards company.
Anna recently went viral for her appearance on Complex’s Interview with a Magician, where she captivated singer Billie Eilish with her card tricks. Beyond Eilish, Anna has interviewed or collaborated with major stars including Zayn Malik and Jason Derulo. Her rising stardom has also led to partnerships with global brands like the NBA, TikTok, and Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty.
Anna is actively breaking the “assistant” stereotype by proving that women can lead the industry as headlining illusionists. By blending contemporary fashion with traditional magic, she is attracting a Gen Z audience and shifting perceptions of what a magician looks like. As a Filipina, she also serves as a role model, demonstrating that success abroad can be achieved in creative fields beyond the traditional paths often expected in Filipino culture.
The post 5 Things To Know About Fil-Am Magician Anna DeGuzman first appeared on MEGA.
5 Things To Know About Fil-Am Magician Anna DeGuzman
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