Watch Newporter Mat Franco Get into AGT Semifinals

Newport resident Mat Franco lit it up on stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City last night — literally.

And he earned himself a spot in the semifinals in this season of America’s Got Talent, the hit NBC summer show.

Franco used a blast of fire to reveal the ten of spades picked by Heidi Klum as part of his magic card trick. And it didn’t end there. Check out the video below to see how he took his trick to the next level, blowing Howie Mandel’s mind in the process.

Franco has been obsessed with magic since his boyhood, studying magicians he watched on TV and recording shows for repeated study. By the age of 12, he was in Las Vegas to learn from the masters and in no time he was hired to perform at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, eventually winning awards in competition after competition.

A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Franco has tapped into college-aged audiences since the day he appeared on campus as a freshman. He has developed a wild and dazzling show that blends classic as well as innovative magic and illusion with a solid dose of college humor.

Franco is also the founder of Franco Talent, a speciality talent agency featuring a slate of top college performers.

Franco said he’s “so pumped” to be in the semifinals, thanking fans for the votes that propelled him to the next round.

“Thank you thank you thank you for all your love and votes!!” he tweeted.

America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.