• Mind2Mind is a mentalist act from Dubai that have performed on 'Ukraine's Got Talent', 'Britain's Got Talent' and now 'America's Got Talent'. All photos: Mind2Mind
    Mind2Mind is a mentalist act from Dubai that have performed on 'Ukraine's Got Talent', 'Britain's Got Talent' and now 'America's Got Talent'. All photos: Mind2Mind
  • The act is made up of married couple James Harrington, 38, from the UK, and Ukrainian Marina Liani, 31.
    The act is made up of married couple James Harrington, 38, from the UK, and Ukrainian Marina Liani, 31.
  • Mind2Mind got the golden buzzer on 'Ukraine's Got Talent'.
    Mind2Mind got the golden buzzer on 'Ukraine's Got Talent'.
  • Mind2Mind relaxing at home in Dubai.
    Mind2Mind relaxing at home in Dubai.
  • Mind2Mind in Dubai. Liani has lived here for nine years, while Harrington moved to the city 14 years ago.
    Mind2Mind in Dubai. Liani has lived here for nine years, while Harrington moved to the city 14 years ago.
  • Harrington on 'America's Got Talent'.
    Harrington on 'America's Got Talent'.
  • The couple wowed judges and got four yeses.
    The couple wowed judges and got four yeses.
  • Liani stood outside the theatre with host Terry Crews.
    Liani stood outside the theatre with host Terry Crews.
  • Mind2Mind plan to start a mentalism show in Dubai.
    Mind2Mind plan to start a mentalism show in Dubai.
  • The couple at Ain Dubai.
    The couple at Ain Dubai.
  • Mind2Mind with Ant & Dec on 'Britain's Got Talent'.
    Mind2Mind with Ant & Dec on 'Britain's Got Talent'.
  • Mind2Mind performing with Novak Djokovic.
    Mind2Mind performing with Novak Djokovic.

Mind2Mind mentalist act from Dubai wows judges on 'America's Got Talent'


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

They recently won the golden buzzer on Ukraine's Got Talent and stood out on Britain's Got Talent in 2019, but now mentalist duo Mind2Mind have wowed judges on America's Got Talent.

James Harrington, 38, from the UK, and Ukrainian Marina Liani, 31, a married couple who live in Dubai, impressed the crowd and judges, including Simon Cowell, on Tuesday night. The panel awarded the act four yeses and they received a standing ovation.

The act features Liani "mind reading from a distance", as she stood outside with host Terry Crews, and a projection beamed into the theatre. Firstly, Liani asked her husband to hold judge Sofia Vergara's phone and she identified the remaining battery percentage, which elicited gasps from the audience.

Then she asked audience members to share personal memories and write them on a piece of paper, which other judge Heidi Klum held in her hand, while Liani correctly read it out.

"How did that just happen?" Cowell said. "It was unbelievable. This is amazing."

Vergara said: "What you guys just did was fascinating. It was mysterious. It was spectacular."

Klum said she was "absolutely gobsmacked", while fellow judge Howie Mandel said he loves the presentation. " I think you have a great chance," he said.

Harrington says the couple make no claims to having any psychic abilities, but instead they say it's purely through emotional connection that they can achieve what they do. They tried to prove this on the British version of the show in 2019, where they taught Cowell how to read judge Amanda Holden's mind.

Liani and Harrington met in 2017 via an online dating app. Liani arrived in Dubai nine years ago and previously worked as flydubai cabin crew. Harrington came to Dubai 14 years ago as as a hotel performance act.

“I fell in love with Dubai from the first day and I knew it would be the place I’d call home long-term," said Harrington.

The pair now perform exclusively for corporate events, but they plan to open the a mentalism theatre show in Dubai.

Middle East acts on 'America's Got Talent'

Mind2Mind aren't the only act from the Middle East that have dazzled America's Got Talent judges this season. In June, Lebanese dance company Mayyas secured their place in the live shows after delivering a hypnotic performance in their first audition.

In fact, Modern Family actress Vergara was so stunned she pressed her golden buzzer, giving them a fast track to the live shows. Each judge has one golden buzzer to use in the series.

The group is due to return to the US for the next rounds this month.

Meet Mayyas, the Lebanese dance crew who dazzled 'America's Got Talent' judges — in pictures

  • Host Terry Crews, far left, with members of the female Lebanese dance troupe Mayyas, who were crowned winners of the latest season of 'America's Got Talent'. AP
    Host Terry Crews, far left, with members of the female Lebanese dance troupe Mayyas, who were crowned winners of the latest season of 'America's Got Talent'. AP
  • The Lebanese troupe will take home a $1 million prize and the chance to headline a Las Vegas show. AP
    The Lebanese troupe will take home a $1 million prize and the chance to headline a Las Vegas show. AP
  • Mayyas react to the announcement they had won this season of 'America's Got Talent'. Getty Images
    Mayyas react to the announcement they had won this season of 'America's Got Talent'. Getty Images
  • Kristy Sellars and Terry Crews react as Mayyas are announced the winners of season 17 of 'America's Got Talent'. Getty Images
    Kristy Sellars and Terry Crews react as Mayyas are announced the winners of season 17 of 'America's Got Talent'. Getty Images
  • America's Got Talent finale, from left, Mayyas, Terry Crews, Chapel Hart, Metaphysic, Drake Milligan, Kristy Sellars. Getty Images
    America's Got Talent finale, from left, Mayyas, Terry Crews, Chapel Hart, Metaphysic, Drake Milligan, Kristy Sellars. Getty Images
  • Nadim Cherfan, centre, with the dance group Mayyas, winners of season 17. Getty Images
    Nadim Cherfan, centre, with the dance group Mayyas, winners of season 17. Getty Images
  • Mayyas perform during the 'America's Got Talent' finals on September 13. Getty Images
    Mayyas perform during the 'America's Got Talent' finals on September 13. Getty Images
  • The co-ordinated dance featured white, feathered outfits and sparkling globes of light in a moody routine that won a standing ovation from the crowd. Getty Images
    The co-ordinated dance featured white, feathered outfits and sparkling globes of light in a moody routine that won a standing ovation from the crowd. Getty Images
  • Appearing on 'America's Got Talent', the group have their sights set on winning the coveted $1 million prize. Getty Images
    Appearing on 'America's Got Talent', the group have their sights set on winning the coveted $1 million prize. Getty Images
  • Terry Crews with Mayyas on stage. Getty Images
    Terry Crews with Mayyas on stage. Getty Images
  • Mayyas attend an 'America's Got Talent' Season 17 live show at Sheraton Pasadena Hotel in California. Getty Images
    Mayyas attend an 'America's Got Talent' Season 17 live show at Sheraton Pasadena Hotel in California. Getty Images
  • Lebanese dance troupe Mayyas perform in the semi-finals of 'America's Got Talent'. Getty
    Lebanese dance troupe Mayyas perform in the semi-finals of 'America's Got Talent'. Getty
  • Judge Simon Cowell said the performance was 'as good as it gets'. Getty
    Judge Simon Cowell said the performance was 'as good as it gets'. Getty
  • The group danced to a selection of Arabic melodies. Photo: YouTube
    The group danced to a selection of Arabic melodies. Photo: YouTube
  • Lebanese dance crew Mayyas have appeared on season 17 of 'America's Got Talent'. Getty
    Lebanese dance crew Mayyas have appeared on season 17 of 'America's Got Talent'. Getty
  • Judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara said they felt 'hypnotised'. Getty
    Judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara said they felt 'hypnotised'. Getty
  • The Lebanese dance company won season six of 'Arabs Got Talent' in 2019. Photo: MBC
    The Lebanese dance company won season six of 'Arabs Got Talent' in 2019. Photo: MBC
  • Mayyas celebrate with choreographer Nadim Cherfan (in black), after their ‘Arabs Got Talent’ win. Photo: MBC
    Mayyas celebrate with choreographer Nadim Cherfan (in black), after their ‘Arabs Got Talent’ win. Photo: MBC
  • Mayyas's 'Arabs Got Talent' win came with a new car and a 200,000 Saudi riyal ($53,333) cash prize. Photo: MBC
    Mayyas's 'Arabs Got Talent' win came with a new car and a 200,000 Saudi riyal ($53,333) cash prize. Photo: MBC
  • The group are known for their physical style, performed to Arabic melodies. Photo: MBC
    The group are known for their physical style, performed to Arabic melodies. Photo: MBC
  • At the time, Mayyas said they planned to use their 'Arabs Got Talent' cash prize to set up a dance studio. Photo: MBC
    At the time, Mayyas said they planned to use their 'Arabs Got Talent' cash prize to set up a dance studio. Photo: MBC
  • After winning 'Arabs Got Talent', they appeared on the UK spin-off 'Britain's Got Talent: The Champions' in 2019. Photo: Shutterstock
    After winning 'Arabs Got Talent', they appeared on the UK spin-off 'Britain's Got Talent: The Champions' in 2019. Photo: Shutterstock
  • The group on 'Britain's Got Talent: The Champions'. Photo: Shutterstock
    The group on 'Britain's Got Talent: The Champions'. Photo: Shutterstock
Updated: August 03, 2022, 6:03 AM