Dustin Tavella

Dustin Tavella
Born (1986-04-11) April 11, 1986 (age 38)
Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States
Occupation(s)Magician, singer, musician
Years active2010–present
Known forAmerica's Got Talent season 16 winner
Spouse
Kari Gibson
​
(m. 2018)​
Websitewww.dustintavella.com

Dustin Tavella (born April 11, 1986) is an American magician and singer.[1] He is best known for being the season 16 winner of the NBC show America's Got Talent as a magician.[2][3]

Since 2010, Tavella has released numerous singles, and an EP in 2014.

Early life and education

Tavella was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania,[4] and graduated from Pottsgrove High School.[5] As a child, he went to magic shows in Atlantic City with his grandparents, who were into gambling.[6][7]

Prior to starting his music career, Tavella worked for a humanitarian organization (Compassion International), aiding the homeless and mentoring in youth programs.[8]

Music and magic careers

Upon realizing the positive impact music had on people, Tavella made a shift to an entertainment career.[9] In 2010, after writing and recording R&B-style pop songs, he began posting them on YouTube as dUSTIN tAVELLA. Since 2011, Tavella has produced multiple singles and an EP, via his independent record label Film and Music (FAM).[10]

In early 2012, Tavella gained some national exposure when he appeared on CMT's reality television show, Sweet Home Alabama.[11] Mixing a bit of country (with his guitar) into his predominantly urban style, he released a few singles related to the show.[12]

In 2013, Tavella released the single "Everybody Knows (Douchebag)", which went viral.[13] Pop singer Selena Gomez choreographed a dance video to the song, as a "dismissal" to ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber. Later that year, Gomez made a cameo appearance in Tavella's official video for the song, featuring Danny Trejo and Francia Raisa.[14] A five-song EP, called Phases 1 3, arrived in July 2014.[15]

America's Got Talent

In 2018, Tavella began performing magic professionally.[16] In 2021, he auditioned for the season sixteen of America's Got Talent. He made it to the finals, performed with Mat Franco and Rico Rodriguez, and consequently won on September 15, 2021.[2] Beating out nine finalist for the million dollar grand prize,[17] Tavella is the third magician to win the show, after Franco and Shin Lim.[18]

In 2022, Tavella began headlining America's Got Talent Live, at the Luxor Las Vegas on the Strip.[19] His own magic show, Here Comes Trouble, incorporates his musical talent.[20]

In August 2022, Tavella performed during the first live season 17 Qualifier Results Show, alongside Sofía Vergara and assisted by Sarah Hyland.[21]

In January 2023, Tavella competed on America's Got Talent: All-Stars, but was eliminated in the first round.

Personal life

Tavella lives in Branson, Missouri, moving there from Las Vegas, after moving from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He married Kari Gibson in 2018. They adopted two sons, Xander and Sylas, both of whom he centered acts around.[4][22]

He currently performs his show "Now I See" at the Reza Live Theatre.

A devout Christian, Tavella and his wife have been active with pregnancy crisis and homeless ministries.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ "dUSTIN tAVELLA – Music". Apple Music. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Chloe Melas (September 16, 2021). "The winner of America's Got Talent is ..." CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  3. ^ Cydney Henderson (September 16, 2021). "America's Got Talent finale: Magician Dustin Tavella wins Season 16 in star-studded finale". USA Today. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Hargrove, Adrianna (September 16, 2021). "Virginia man wins America's Got Talent Season 16!". NBC12. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "Las Vegas Next Stop For Pottsgrove's Dustin Tavella". Sanatoga Post. September 17, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  6. ^ "Pottstown native Dustin Tavella wins 'America's Got Talent' with inspiring magic tricks". PhillyVoice. September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  7. ^ "Pottstown Native Dustin Tavella Talks AGT Win". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  8. ^ "What you might not know about America's Got Talent winner Dustin Tavella". PR Newswire (Press release). Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  9. ^ "Dustin Tavella". ISINA. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "dUSTIN tAVEWLLA – Singles & EPs". Apple Music. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  11. ^ "Stowe native featured on reality show Sweet Home Alabama". The Mercury. January 24, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  12. ^ "Best Songs List: Top, New & Old". AllMusic. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  13. ^ "Dustin Tavella – Spotify Music". Spotify. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  14. ^ "Selena Gomez, Danny Trejo Star In YouTube Musician Dustin Tavella's 'Everybody Knows (Douchebag)' Video". NewMediaRockstars. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  15. ^ "Dustin Tavella Biography, Songs & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  16. ^ "Dustin Tavella's Favorite America's Got Talent Moment Will Surprise You". NBC Insider. April 28, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  17. ^ "Pottstown native Dustin Tavella wins America's Got Talent with inspiring magic tricks". PhillyVoice. September 16, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  18. ^ "America's Got Talent Season 16: And the Winner Is…". TV Insider. September 16, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  19. ^ "Here's What Dustin Tavella Has Been Up to Since Winning AGT Season 16". NBC. May 17, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "Dustin Tavella – Magic Music More". Dustin Tavella. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  21. ^ "AGT Winner Dustin Tavella Just Made a Surprise Appearance with Help from Sarah Hyland". NBC. August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  22. ^ "Meet 'America's Got Talent' Season 16 Winner Dustin Tavella". Talent Recap. September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  23. ^ "CHRISTIAN MAGICIAN DUSTIN TAVELLA WINS AGT – WANTS TO SPREAD THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN A NEW LIGHT". Movieguide. September 21, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
Preceded by America's Got Talent winner
Season 16 (Summer 2021) 		Succeeded by