Chilliwack escapologist, Matt Johnson, had an audience of millions watching him as he made his debut with a breath-taking cliffhanger on the season premiere of CBS’ The World’s Best on Superbowl Sunday.
“It’s been amazing so far. To be chosen as one of the top 50 acts in the world is a real honour,” says Johnson, who’s currently in L.A.
Additionally, he appeared on The Late Late Show with host James Cordon Monday night.
Following his meteoric rise to acclaim, Johnson was hand-picked by The World’s Best producers who wanted to bring his insane skills to the biggest audience, choosing to show his escape immediately after CBS’ telecast of the Superbowl with a mic-drop of an ending.
The judges were visibly dumbfounded as Johnson’s escape reached new heights of danger.
He was handcuffed and locked into a cube filled with water; only after picking his handcuffs can he attempt to find the correct key for the lock on the cube – of which there is one mixed in with 20 incorrect others. Despite being an expert, anything can – and in this case does – go wrong.
“It ended on a cliffhanger with me still in the water tank at one minute and 30 seconds with everyone freaking out,” says Johnson.
Audiences will have to wait until the next show, airing Feb. 6, where his escape will conclude.
His next challenge is to make it to the next round as half of the contestants who didn’t make the cut will get the axe.
The World’s Best is a reality talent competition television series featuring international performers being evaluated by three judges — Drew Barrymore, RuPaul and Faith Hill, as well as the Wall of the World, an international panel of 50 experts in various fields of entertainment. The series is hosted by James Corden and will run for 10 episodes.
Johnson is a British escapologist and illusionist who lives in Chilliwack. He has been performing and perfecting his craft in the art of illusion for more than 20 years around the globe. The World’s Best is not Matt’s first foray into television, having stunned Simon Cowell with a viral escape on Britain’s Got Talent in 2018, he has also appeared on the hit TV show Penn & Teller - Fool Us! (Netflix) and Wizard Wars (SyFy).
Johnson has two shows coming up this year — one in Maple Ridge, the other in Chilliwack — which will feature his full theatre show with magic, illusion, comedy, audience interaction and, of course, the underwater escape.
Shows are: Feb. 22 at The ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge; and July 26 at Chances Chilliwack (limited seating dinner and show).
SEE MORE: Video — Chilliwack escapologist stuns judges on Britain’s Got Talent