Magician Joel Mawhinney created one of the most stressful moments of the current America’s Got Talent season when he appeared to destroy a sentimental bracelet belonging to Mel B.
During the Tuesday, July 14 episode of America’s Got Talent, the 28-year-old Northern Irish magician—known professionally as Joel M—borrowed several personal possessions from the judges. The items included Howie Mandel’s phone, a framed photograph belonging to Sofia Vergara and a diamond bracelet that Mel B received from her fellow Spice Girls for her 50th birthday.
Mel B immediately made it clear that the bracelet was not an ordinary piece of jewelry. It was a meaningful gift from Melanie C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham.
That made what happened next especially uncomfortable.
Joel Mawhinney Takes a Hammer to the Judges’ Belongings
After collecting the personal items, Joel placed them inside a zippered bag onstage. He then raised a hammer and appeared to smash everything inside—including Mel B’s treasured Spice Girls bracelet.
The judges watched in disbelief as Joel repeatedly struck the bag. Mel B appeared genuinely distressed by the possibility that her sentimental keepsake had been destroyed for an America’s Got Talent audition.
However, Joel had established an important rule at the beginning of the performance: anything that disappeared had to reappear.
That promise became the foundation for the routine’s surprising conclusion.
Mel B’s Bracelet Reappears Inside Her AGT Buzzer
Joel first returned Howie Mandel’s phone from a locked gift box that had been visible throughout the performance. Sofia Vergara then discovered her photograph hidden inside the cushion of her chair.
The biggest revelation was saved for Mel B.
Joel directed her attention to the red buzzer on the judges’ desk. Hidden inside was a tiny envelope containing her supposedly destroyed bracelet.
Mel B carefully inspected the jewelry and confirmed that it was unharmed, with every diamond still intact. Relieved by its safe return, she told Joel that the bracelet was extremely sentimental and declared that she believed in magic.
The AGT Judges Were Divided Over Joel’s Performance
Although the magical conclusion impressed the panel, the presentation received mixed reactions.
Sofia Vergara praised the magic while jokingly questioning whether smashing the judges’ desk was really necessary. Simon Cowell acknowledged that the routine took a long time but responded positively to the audience’s enthusiastic reaction.
Howie Mandel complimented Joel’s personality and appearance but criticized the performance for being too long. He ultimately voted no.
Mel B enthusiastically gave Joel his first yes, followed by positive votes from Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell. With three yes votes and one no, Joel Mawhinney advanced to the next stage of the competition.
Who Is AGT Magician Joel Mawhinney?
Joel Mawhinney is a magician, content creator and television presenter from Bangor, Northern Ireland. Performing under the name Joel M, he reportedly began learning magic at five and was performing in restaurants by 11.
Before appearing on America’s Got Talent, Joel built a worldwide following through his magic, mentalism and illusion videos. He has accumulated more than 20 million followers across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Joel also became the 41st presenter of the long-running BBC children’s program Blue Peter in 2022. His other credits include the BBC Northern Ireland series Life Is Magic, the live tour Joel M: Impossible and the book Make Your Own Magic.
Was the Risk Worth It?
Joel’s audition demonstrated why apparent danger can make a magic trick emotionally powerful. The bracelet was more than an expensive object—it represented Mel B’s relationship with the other Spice Girls.
That emotional connection immediately raised the stakes.
However, Howie Mandel’s criticism also highlighted an important lesson for performers: even when the ending is strong, pacing remains essential. A television magic act must create suspense without allowing the journey to overpower the final revelation.
Whether viewers loved the tension or felt the routine lasted too long, Joel Mawhinney certainly gave the judges—and the audience—a performance they will remember.
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays on NBC and streams the following day on Peacock.
Source credit: Performance details were reported by People
Background information about Joel M was referenced from his professional biography
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