Gaia Elisa Rossi on Magic, Big Mac's & Anne Hatheway

Gaia Elisa Rossi is the youngest Italian magic champion and the only female to have ever won the title. At just twenty-two years old, she has taken part in prestigious theatre shows and television programs throughout the world, receiving awards and enriching her artistic repertoire through the study of dance, theatre, dubbing, circus, and singing.

If you can believe it, Gaia has been a finalist both in the European and World Magic Championships. Her artistic work has garnered the attention of famous international brands such as FIAT, Avon, and Freeda Media, for whom she is an online ambassador. Gaia was also a speaker at TEDx Milano Women, where she had the opportunity to share her story through magic.

What makes her magic so unique is her background in psychology. Gaia holds a BA in Psychology and is enrolled in a Master's program in clinical psychology. Her plan is to merge her science knowledge with magic to create impossible illusions.

Gaia was kind enough to drop by and answer our questions.

When were you most starstruck?

At 13 years old, I was in line at the café of FISM Italy. I turned around quickly, and the person right after me was… Max Maven! He must have noticed my dumbfounded face, so he went: “Boo!!”. That was a big shock for little Gaia! I then interviewed him for a column I was working on. I spent the following hour jumping around the whole convention centre in awe.

What is your favourite magic trick?

Yann Frisch's Baltass Act 2. After winning the Grand Prix at FISM 2012, he returned to compete in 2015 with an evolution of his earlier Baltass Act. I was there in the audience: I felt like that was a kind of magic coming from another world. Then I cannot help but mention Teller's Shadows, which holds a special place in my heart.

Who is the most famous person you could text right now?

Jovanotti. He's one of the most famous Italian pop stars. He loves magic.

Do you have a nickname?

Not that I know :)

Has a trick you perform ever gone wrong?

I smashed right into a double bass and fell on the floor in front of the whole audience while having a box on my head and an entire orchestra playing for me. Yes, that sounds weird, but it’s true. Abracadabra!

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Anne Hathaway. She should be fine with me singing all day long.

How much is a pint of thumb tips?

I’ve done my research. In Italy, it’s the same price as a Big Mac.

When did a magic trick most fool you?

I have three big moments in my mind. When Lance Burton, in his Dove Act, throws his gloves into the air and they become a dove in flight - I’d spend a lifetime watching those five seconds. Ben Hart and his egg illusion; impossible not to be fooled. Kim Young-Min dissolves a ring into sand; I get emotional every time I see it.

What books do you recommend?

• The Experience of Magic by Eugene Burger - For our magician’s souls.
• Tarbell Course in Magic - A bible of magic and a good place to go back to when you need some inspiration.
• Is That It? by Bob Geldof - Bob is the guy who created and organized Live Aid in 1985. The book is motivational and funny.
• Scene Design and Stage Lightning by C. Wolf and D. Block - The use of light can improve your magic in ways you’ve never thought of - give it a try!"

Where is the strangest place you've ever performed magic?

On the altar of a church. Since there was no sound system, but there was a drummer (I know… why?), he offered to accompany me with Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N’ Roses. How could I back out? I should mention the priest, at some point, joined the performance… turns out he was a hobbyist magician as well!

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Follow Gaia on Instagram.