Gen Z Woman hires magician for friend’s 25th birthday—Response goes viral

A magician on TikTok has captured the attention of millions.

A video posted by Meg Rogan (@roganmeg) has gone viral for revealing the grand finale of a magician’s set at her friend’s 25th birthday party: turning one dove into two. The trick not only left the friends screaming and laughing—it also received over 13 million views and nearly 3 million likes on TikTok, with people dumbfounded by how the trick was executed.

“POV: You hire a magician for your friend’s 25th birthday,” Rogan captioned the video. “It just gets more and more insane.”

Viewers agreed: the final trick was not only unbelievable, but it had exactly the kind of wild energy people want to bring to their new year.

“Okay, I slowed it down and watched it a bunch of times. I have no idea where that bird came from,” one person wrote.

“A magician in your living room with your besties all in your PJs is the vibe I’m on for 2025,” another wrote.

“My dad is a magician, and I can confirm this is his favorite kind of gig. You made that guys week,” a commenter shared.

Magic Industry Predicted to Grow

Recent studies indicate that the magic profession is seeing a resurgence. In the United States, there were approximately 10,206 individuals employed as magicians as of 2024, according to IBISWorld. There are over 9,000 magic businesses in the U.S. And, over the next five years, the industry is predicted to grow.

The statistics bode well for Walter King Jr., known as the “Spellbinder”—or, the magician seen in Rogan’s video.

According to King Jr.’s website, the self-taught magician is the first African-American illusionist to perform in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He has been performing for nearly four decades, making him a common sight, especially in his native Chicago.

“Walter King Jr., the Spellbinder!” one person wrote in Rogan’s comments. “Chicago legend, he used to come to my day camp almost every year to perform.”

The magician himself even commented on the viral clip. “Thank you all! I had a blast performing for you guys. Sorry I haven’t been able to thank you until now. I’ve been performing somewhere every day since,” he wrote.

King Jr. has taken over TikTok, and now, people are clamoring for their own illusionist birthday party. Harnessing childhood awe, many are saying this is what adults should be doing with their hard-earned money.

“Are you saying that I, as an adult, can hire a magician for my own birthday?!” one person wrote. “I’m definitely doing this.”

“We all need to be hiring this type of entertainment for adult birthday parties,” another wrote. “I’d be so jazzed to watch a magic show at a party.”

“My brother was ahead of the game,” one person shared. “For his 30th, he hired a magician, Santa Claus (it was September), Cinderella, realistic dinosaur rental and exotic animal showcase.

“Healed all our inner child.”

Newsweek reached out to @roganmeg for comment via TikTok.