Amanda Lindsey has been performing as a magician in St. Louis for more than 10 years, but she still credits a chance compliment from a Spice Girl for her big break.
The South County native was at a book signing for Melanie B’s new memoir when the pop star remarked that she liked Lindsey’s accent. “Being complimented by a Spice Girl, I just felt so empowered,” Lindsey says. Returning to St. Louis, she promptly submitted material for Penn & Teller: Fool Us, deciding not to let last year’s rejection stop her.
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Good decision. “I got an email the next day saying we’re booking you for our interview on Monday,” she says. “Like, it all just happened. Boom, boom, boom, just like that.”
Now Lindsey will be featured on the CW show on March 7, which she hopes will lead to big things. But maybe not too big: She’s not only committed to staying near her family, which she’s very close to, but she has a day job she loves.
Lindsey first got into magic as a third grader, watching David Copperfield and Lance Burton on TV and trying to figure out how they did it. When her parents bought her magic kit from Sam’s Club, she was off. “My first magic show was back in fifth grade for Mr. Price’s class,” she recalls. “I just love putting acts together.”
She has carved out time to perform around town even while working as a children’s therapist. “I love getting to know the kiddos; I like getting to see their successes,” she says. “I like knowing what their goals are, seeing the progress that they’re making. It really is rewarding.”
But when a magic consultant reached out on social media and encouraged her to submit materials for Penn & Teller’s show, she was all in. She’s not sure why her second attempt was more successful than the first, but she knows it could be a game-changer. It’s her first national TV appearance. “I feel like I went from being a very low-key person to being on stage in Rio with 1,500 people watching,” she says.
Her appearance airs on March 7, not long after she kicks off a residency at Magic Mini Golf in the Delmar Loop. She’ll be there the first Sunday of every month, performing strolling magic to entertain guests while they’re waiting or playing games. She’ll also do close-up magic at a table for guests who want to see more. And she’ll be there on 314 Day to add a little magic to St. Louis’ annual celebration. (Learn more about her residency online.)
Between the TV show and the residency, she can feel that Spice Girl confidence boosting her career.
Says Lindsey, “I’m ready to hit the ground running. I know this is a huge break, it’s a huge opportunity, and I just have so much energy. I feel like I’ve had it bottled up, keeping everything a secret around. I’m just ready to go!”
