during the performance itself . But of course the challenge was how to bring that idea to life . The producers of Fool Us recognizing a great idea were able to help Boris bring his idea to life . Using artificial intelligence and the skills of Adam Cheyer , a high level engineer from Silicon Valley who used to work with Apple and was a co-founder of Siri for the iPhone , they managed to clone Penn ’ s voice . The result was a perfect “ deep fake ” voice of Penn in his own words analyzing the performance move for move . The trick itself , a well-designed version of Any Card at Any Number , was a Fooler and Boris walked away with a well deserved FU Trophy .
Watching Boris on that Fool Us show or any time he has an audience or a deck of cards in his hands , it ’ s clear that he loves what he is doing ; he is having fun and wants you to come along for the ride . You will be happy if you do , but be prepared , he may take you to unexpected destinations . You ’ ll go along because you can trust Boris and Boris trusts his audience . That trust creates a bond between performer and spectator . To me it is one of the elements that make the magic of Boris Wild special indeed .
Like many magicians Boris became interested in magic around the age of 12 watching magic performed on television . Young Boris became fascinated with a magician named Garcimore who he ’ d seen on television . When Boris ’ parents noticed his new interest , his father invited a colleague of his from the post office join them for dinner at their home one night . At the end of the dinner Boris was in for a surprise … out came a close-up pad and an impromptu performance of a few Tenyo magic tricks happened right before his eyes . At that moment those young eyes were opened and the seed was planted … magic was his new fascination . He quickly decided to switch from other sports he was dabbling in like tennis and fencing and turned his attention to magic . A future International Champion of Magic was being born .
The first professional magician Boris saw perform live was Philippe Warein who was performing the linking rings and dove productions and who soon would become his first teacher and mentor , his “ Godfather ” in magic as he calls him . With the help of his mentor , a rather young Boris was soon accepted into the fraternity and clubs that often are difficult for a beginner to discover .
Fortunately Boris had parents who always supported his fascination with magic as long as proper attention was given to his studies first . So throughout grade school and high school they would drive him to club meetings and even out of the country so he could visit the Mephisto Magic Shop just across the Belgium border . He has fond memories of the first visit explaining : “ At that time , you had to call the shop to get an appointment to go in and when you arrived there , it just looked like a normal house . But once the door opened , it was amazing to see all these magic props everywhere . It truly was a whole process and a magical experience to get in and have the opportunity to buy things there .”
Upon the advice of his parents about the importance of studies , he went to university , where he decided to shift his studies to advertising and communications--something he suspected he could use in his future magic pursuits . Based on his parents ’ recommendation , after graduation from the university he took a full time job with an advertising agency in Paris . During that time he was also working evenings and weekends on his magic and an idea for a card routine that would eventually become known as The Kiss Act , an act that would take him around the world .
After three years of development , the act was ready . The question was where to try it out ? The National French Magic Championships ... why not ? So , in 1996 , at the age of 23 , he premiered his new act . His hard work paid off and
12 FEBRUARY | 2021