Mind2Mind Brings World-Champion Mentalism to Fontainebleau

By Debbie Hall

There is something uniquely captivating about mentalism. Unlike traditional magic, where the audience searches for hidden mechanics or sleight of hand, mentalism invites something more personal—the possibility that someone might truly know what you're thinking. That sense of mystery arrives at Fontainebleau Las Vegas as the internationally acclaimed duo Mind2Mind begins an exclusive residency inside the intimate Azul lounge.

Featuring James Harrington and Mariana Liani, Mind2Mind has built an international reputation for performances that blur the line between psychology, intuition, and impossibility. Their appearances on America's Got Talent, Britain's Got Talent, Masters of Illusion, and Royal Command Performances in London and Dubai have introduced audiences worldwide to their distinctive style of contemporary mentalism. In 2025, the duo reached another milestone when they earned the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM) Gold Medal, the highest honor in competitive magic, recognizing them as the World Champions of Mentalism.

“It was like a dream. It was all very surreal, because to me, because I've been in magic since I was six years old,” said Harrington. “I have always known about FISM. You have to be invited to perform to enter FISM. When we decided to do it, we basically took a year out of our working lives and focused purely on FISM. We had a consultant come and visit us in Dubai, where we worked on it for a couple of months straight. Our life just became about those nine minutes. We were told that to become a world champion, you have to train like a champion. We'd always trained intensely.

“We took it to another level. So then by the time we got there, we knew we'd done everything that we could. We worked to mentally let go of being outcome-dependent. We just knew that we'd done everything we could. We couldn't have done any more physically. So what was great about winning was just the confidence boost, because we've always second-guessed ourselves.”

Mind2Mind is part of an exclusive group of only four mentalists who have been awarded the FISM Gold Medal in its 77-year history.

Unlike large-scale illusion productions, the Fontainebleau residency embraces intimacy. Audience members sit only feet away from the performers, becoming active participants rather than passive observers. Every performance unfolds differently as volunteers help shape an evening filled with impossible predictions, thought revelations, and the duo's celebrated "second sight" demonstrations.

For Harrington, mentalism has always offered something deeper than traditional magic.

"Mentalism is always something that intrigued me. I felt like it had more inherent meaning to people than magic does, because when you're working with the mind, you can infuse it with more meaning when you're talking about somebody's life," he said. "We decided that if we were ever going to do mentalism, it had to be effect-driven without the visual compromise that you often get with mentalism."

Liani's path into the art form came unexpectedly.

"Growing up in Ukraine, I wasn't really exposed to a lot of mentalism," she explained. "It wasn't until I met James that he introduced me to this amazing style of performance. He showed me videos, we read books together, and talked endlessly about the possibilities. I didn't have experience performing or even public speaking. I learned everything from James, and now I absolutely love it."

One of the greatest inspirations came from legendary mentalists Frances Willard and Glenn Falkenstein, pioneers of mentalism from1978 to Glenn’s passing in 2010.

"They performed a genre of mentalism that is very rarely practiced," Harrington said. "It's so rare because it takes five to six hours a day for years to perfect it. It uses no props at all—no secret electronic devices, no earpieces, nothing."

Mind2Mind builds suspense through storytelling, humor, and genuine audience interaction. The result is an experience that feels remarkably personal, encouraging audiences to question not only what they witnessed but also the remarkable potential of human perception.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early for a complimentary pre-show cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m., where a close-up magician performs intimate sleight-of-hand demonstrations throughout Azul. Following the show, the couple remains for a meet-and-greet, allowing guests to continue the conversation—though not necessarily uncover the secrets.

Those looking to make a full evening of the experience can enjoy a special three-course prix fixe dinner at Washing Potato, Fontainebleau's celebrated dim sum restaurant, available exclusively on show nights before the performance. Reservations can be made by clicking here.

Combining world-class mentalism with one of Las Vegas' most elegant venues, Mind2Mind delivers an evening that favors wonder over spectacle and connection over grand illusion. Whether a longtime fan of mentalism or experiencing the art form for the first time, audiences will leave Azul asking the same question everyone else does after the final revelation.

How did they do that?

Fontainebleau Las Vegas offers accessible parking options, including complimentary self-parking for Nevada residents and Fontainebleau Rewards members. Guests with mobility needs can find accommodations throughout the resort. More details about dining, events, and accessibility are available at fontainebleau.com/las-vegas.     

The duo will take the stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and at 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday inside Azul at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. For more info, visit mind2mind.live and follow on Instagram. Click here to purchase tickets.