What is a mentalist?

A mentalist is a performer who uses a variety of techniques to create the illusion of having extraordinary mental abilities. These abilities can include, but are not limited to:

• Mind reading: Appearing to know the thoughts of others.
• Telekinesis: Seeming to move objects with the power of the mind.
• Clairvoyance: Gaining information about objects or events through extrasensory perception.
• Precognition: Predicting future events.
• Psychometry: Divining information about an object's history by touching it.

Mentalists typically employ a combination of psychological principles, such as cold reading and hot reading, suggestion, deception, misdirection, and showmanship to create their illusions. They don't actually possess psychic powers, but rather are skilled at creating the illusion of such abilities. The best mentalists are also excellent performers and storytellers, weaving compelling narratives around their acts.