Breaking into the male-dominated world of sleight-of-hand magic is no easy feat, but Anna DeGuzman makes it look as simple as pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

DeGuzman, who is a proud Filipino American who was raised in New Jersey, auditioned for Season 18 of America’s Got Talent and immediately impressed the Judges with her “cardistry” Act, catching a pre-determined card in her mouth and then revealing it, somehow, also in another location, boggling everyone’s minds without the need for any flashy gismos or over-the-top theatrics.

Reaching the Live Shows is a huge accomplishment for anyone, but it was extra meaningful for DeGuzman. “That’s kind of a big deal,” she said during the episode. “I’m here to inspire more young girls because I didn’t have a female magician role model when I was getting started.”

“My mom, she’s why I do all of this. My mom raised me by herself and worked really hard to give me the best that she could, and now I wanna win AGT so I can give back to her,” she added.

In the Semifinals and Finals, she kept the “cardistry” going, predicting which cards would somehow appear in unexpected places and summoning particular cards she should have no way of accessing, earning her the title Queen of Cards.

“We need more female magicians, that’s all I can say. OK? We need more female magicians. I also have to say it’s amazing how you did this because you were so incredibly nervous. I could see your hands. But you were incredible. I also love the way you spoke, you kept us all engaged. I really like you,” said Judge Heidi Klum. By the Finale, her Act had expanded to include musical elements, and featured Jason Derulo! She finished the season in second place; that year’s winners were Adrian Stoica and his dog Hurricane.

DeGuzman returned to the AGT stage in 2024 for AGT: Fantasy League, and has also competed on Australia’s Got Talent.

Celebrate NBC100 by Watching These Unscripted Shows All Summer

Summer is here, and on NBC that means the return of America’s Got Talent and American Ninja Warrior. Season 21 of AGT  kicks off June 2, with new episodes airing Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock. Meanwhile, Ninja Warrior Season 18 begins June 8, with new episodes airing Mondays at 9/8c on NBC.

These exciting new seasons come in the middle of NBC’s 100th anniversary festivities. Keep reading NBC Insider all summer for fun stories celebrating this milestone—including ones about AGT and Ninja Warrior.

Anna DeGuzman is still making magic with cards

DeGuzman parlayed her unprecedented turn on AGT into some amazing career opportunities, becoming the first official brand ambassador for Bicycle playing cards. You can see her playing at venues across the country and blowing the minds of celebrities like Billie Eilish and Zayn Malik during interviews for Complex.

She credits AGT for helping her become aware of the power of her platform to represent her gender and her culture. “Growing up, I rarely saw women in magic, so part of the journey was proving it can be done…[I] didn’t realize at first that I carried a responsibility to be visible for other young girls who might see me and think, ‘I can do that too,'” she told Tatler Asia. “I’m so proud to represent my culture every time I step on a stage or appear on TV. A lot of times, I perform in rooms where I don’t see many people who look like me and that motivates me even more. I feel blessed to carry that representation and show the world the beauty, strength and magic of being Filipina.”

“I want girls watching [me] to think, ‘If she can do that, why not me?'” she continued. “Magic isn’t just about tricks. It’s about believing in yourself enough to do something others think is impossible … I hope people say that I made them believe not just in tricks but in themselves.”

Summer is back, and you know what that means — so is AGT!

America’s Got Talent returns for its 21st season of mind blowing talent and unforgettable Golden Buzzers on Tuesday, June 2 at 8/7c, only on NBC. Hosted by Terry Crews, our panel of Judges — executive producer Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and Mel B — have all returned to advise a brand new group of Acts through various rounds of competition, from Auditions to Live Shows. This season also introduces the brand new Judges’ Callbacks twist, offering select Acts one last chance to prove themselves before the Lives.

AGT airs every Tuesday at 8/7c, only on NBC, streaming the next day on Peacock.