A Chilliwack man turned in one of the most spectacular nail-biting moments in the history of America91裸聊视频檚 Got Talent.

Matt Johnson appeared on the hit television show Tuesday night (June 8), walking out onto the stage to be judged by Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and a few million viewers.

The 47-year-old is world-renowned illusionist/escapeologist who has previously appeared on Britain91裸聊视频檚 Got Talent, Penn and Teller91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频楩ool Us91裸聊视频� and The Late Late Show.

Before launching into his audition, Johnson was asked by Mandel if he was married, and what his wife thought of his dangerous occupation.

91裸聊视频淢y wife actually asked me to stop doing it because of something that happened just a year ago, and I91裸聊视频檝e not done it since,91裸聊视频� he explained. 91裸聊视频淚 was working on a dangerous escape and I actually hung myself and drowned at the same time, and I ended up in the ER.91裸聊视频�

But Johnson told the judges he couldn91裸聊视频檛 handle being away from his passion, and he was there to 91裸聊视频渇ace his fears and prove that he could do it again.91裸聊视频�

Whether out of honesty or showmanship, Johnson added that he91裸聊视频檇 tried the trick he was about to perform only once, in rehearsal the day before.

91裸聊视频淚 didn91裸聊视频檛 pay attention at school, so this is what I do for a living,91裸聊视频� he laughed as the audience and judges gasped.

Over the next 112 seconds Johnson was strapped into a straight-jacket and hung by his ankles upside down, attached to a device with two massive circular saw blades spinning at 2000 revolutions per minute.

91裸聊视频淚 have to get myself out, the right way up and get my ankles free to escape before the saw falls,91裸聊视频� he said to a silent theatre. 91裸聊视频淚f not, I91裸聊视频檓 going to literally be cut in two.91裸聊视频�

With Vergara and host Terry Crews shouting 91裸聊视频楬urry up!91裸聊视频� and Cowell rendered speechless, Johnson succeeded in wrestling his way out of the straight jacket and righting himself a split second before the saws fell. The crowd erupted with a standing ovation and judges were on their feet.

91裸聊视频淎nyone who puts himself in this position, the trouble is things go wrong, and that could have been catastrophic,91裸聊视频� Cowell said after catching his breath. 91裸聊视频淏ut you are brilliant. Brilliant. Respect.91裸聊视频�

Johnson got four yes votes from the judges and moves on to the next round of America91裸聊视频檚 Got Talent. Over 110 thousand people have already checked out his audition on YouTube.

eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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