Anastasia Synn

Anastasia Synn is a Canadian sideshow stunt performer and magician, as well as a transhumanist and biohacker.[1][2] She is known for her cyborg rights activism.[3] She was married to magician and comedian the Amazing Johnathan, whom she also managed,[4] until his death on February 22, 2022.[5]

Anastasia Synn
Born (1975-01-01) January 1, 1975
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Occupations
  • Stunt performer
  • Magician
  • Transhumanist
  • Biohacker
  • Cyborg rights activist
Years active2006–present
SpouseThe Amazing Johnathan (m. 2014; died 2022)
Websitesynnister.com

Transhumanism and biohacking

A frequent speaker at magic, transhumanist, and biohacking conferences,[6][7][8] Synn's implants include the largest magnet ever implanted into a person,[9][10] as well as a sound-transmitting magnet implanted into the tragus of her ear.[11] In 2023, Guinness World Records named her the record holder for most technological implants in the body (female), at 52.[12] All of her modifications were surgically performed by a nurse and an underground DIY surgeon.[13]

Synn has used her implants to perform magic tricks, appearing on the television show Penn & Teller: Fool Us.[14] This performance was named by BioHacking News as one of the top biohacking moments of 2018.[15]

Synn's biohacking is part of the DIYbio cyborg subculture called "grinding",[16] which developed out of the magnets being used in the body modification subculture instead being used as a hack to acquire an "electromagnetic sense".[17] Around half of Synn's implants are microchips, which she programs to give herself heightened senses and abilities, such as opening locks, turning on her computer, and the like.[18]

Synn has spoken before the Nevada State Senate[19] to oppose a 2019 proposal[20] for a microchip implant ban,[21] and her testimony influenced state senator Melanie Scheible to oppose the ban.[22]

Personal life

Synn met magician the Amazing Johnathan while he was doing a six-year run at the Harmon Theater.[23] The couple got married at A Special Memory Chapel in Las Vegas in June 2014,[24] in a ceremony attended by fellow magicians David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, and Jeff McBride, as well as comedian Gallagher.[25] Their wedding reception took place at Geisha House, Las Vegas.[26] Together, they hosted annual parties covered by the Las Vegas press.[27] Synn frequently performed shows with her husband,[28] often taking over for him halfway through when he became fatigued.[29]

Synn has a daughter, Haley Kenyon, from a previous relationship.[30]

Media appearances and performances

Synn has been featured widely in the media, including in a 2010 feature in Las Vegas Weekly[31] and in articles about biohacking, including a 2018 Gizmodo science feature.[32]

She has appeared in The Verge's 2012 web documentary on biohacking, entitled A Journey into Cyborg America,[33] as well as Zoomin Next's "Life of Cyborgs Episode Six: The Cybernetic Magician".[34]

A "widely regarded stage performer",[35] Synn has performed "shocking"[36] needle penetrations of her muscles and has appeared on national television in the United States during a 2018 episode of Masters of Illusion, with the Amazing Johnathan,[37] as well as in a solo performance during a September 2018[38] episode of Penn and Teller's Fool Us.[39] In Australia, she appeared on an episode of James Galea's Best Trick Ever on ABC2.[40] She has been featured at numerous live performance venues,[41] including Scot Nery's Boobie Trap[42] and Brookledge Follies.[43]

Synn was featured on the cover of the international magic magazine Vanish in September 2018.[44][45]

She is featured in the 2019 film The Amazing Johnathan Documentary directed by Benjamin Berman.[46]

References
  1. Miranda Willson (March 28, 2019). "Meet the Las Vegas biohackers who are trying to supercharge their bodies – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  2. "Meet the people using biohacking to become real super humans". www.redbull.com. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  3. "Cyborg-magician opposes microchip implants ban before Senate committee". Biohackinfo. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  4. "Murray SawChuck, Amazing Johnathan, Ricardo Laguna, Cast of Fantasy and Thunder from Down Under at The SCREAMont Experiment". www.vegasnews.com. October 16, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  5. "Groundbreaking Vegas magician The Amazing Johnathan dies at 63". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  6. "Anastasia Synn – U.S. Transhumanist Party / Transhuman Party – Official Website". Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  7. "0963 - MagicWeek UK Magic News". magicweek.co.uk. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  8. "2019 Speakers". Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  9. "Cyborg-magician opposes microchip implants ban before Senate committee". Biohackinfo. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  10. "A cyborg magician explains why she implanted 26 microchips and magnets in her body". Stat News. September 6, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  11. Hines, Alice; Wray, Arden (May 12, 2018). "Magnet Implants? Welcome to the World of Medical Punk". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  12. "Most technological implants in the body (female)". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  13. Miranda Willson (March 28, 2019). "Meet the Las Vegas biohackers who are trying to supercharge their bodies – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  14. Female Magician shocks with her act 'THREADED' on Penn & Teller Fool Us s5 E11, retrieved August 20, 2019
  15. "Top Biohacking Moments of the Year 2018". Biohackinfo. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  16. Power, John-Paul (June 27, 2018). "More than Human: Six Body Hacks that Give You Superpowers, Kinda". Medium. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  17. "Everything you need to know about biohacking". Dazed. September 26, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  18. Miranda Willson (March 28, 2019). "Meet the Las Vegas biohackers who are trying to supercharge their bodies – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  19. Dentzer, Bill (April 26, 2019). "Las Vegas magician weighs in on Nevada microchip ban bill". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  20. "AB226 Overview". www.leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  21. "Cyborg-magician opposes microchip implants ban before Senate committee". Biohackinfo. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  22. Scheible, Melanie (April 26, 2019). "My jaw dropped in public listening to @SiaSynn testify on #ab226 at the #nvleg. She is an amazing artist and technological enthusiast who has influenced my position this piece of legislation. Thank you for educating us!". @MelanieScheible. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  23. "Body failing and mind on fire, The Amazing Johnathan reflects on his gloriously unhinged legacy – Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  24. Amazing Johnathan and Anastasia Synn Wedding, retrieved August 25, 2019
  25. "The Amazing Johnathan weds Anastasia Synn at A Special Memory Chapel in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Sun News". July 14, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  26. "The Amazing Johnathan Weds Anastasia Synn". LasVegasSun.com. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  27. Katsilometes, John (June 8, 2015). "The Amazing Johnathan hosts watery celebration; Burlesque Hall teases with new exhibit space - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  28. Moe, Jackie (June 20, 2017). "The Amazing Johnathan keeps performing despite fatal diagnosis". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  29. Fraser, Trevor (April 27, 2017). "Amazing Johnathan heads to Orlando despite 'waiting to die'". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  30. "Anastasia Synn Instagram Page". Instagram. November 19, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  31. "Checklist: Anastasia Synn, needle impaler/light bulb eater/fire breather - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  32. Brown, Kristen V. "I Spent a Weekend With Cyborgs, and Now I Have an RFID Implant I Have No Idea What to Do With". Gizmodo. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  33. Biohackers: A journey into cyborg America, retrieved August 20, 2019
  34. Life of Cyborgs episode 6: The cybernetic magician, retrieved August 20, 2019
  35. "The Amazing Johnathan refuses to disappear". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 12, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  36. Cortez, Jessica (September 30, 2018). "How to Genetically Engineer a Human in Your Garage". synapse.ucsf.edu. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  37. Masters of Illusion Amazing Johnathan, retrieved August 20, 2019
  38. "The CW Press | Penn & Teller: Fool Us". www.cbspressexpress.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  39. "The Amazing Johnathan refuses to disappear". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 12, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  40. "Airdate: James Galea's Best Trick Ever". TV Tonight. September 14, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  41. "Anastasia Synn at the Underground Sideshow, Las Vegas by Anastasia Synn". cyberspaceandtime.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  42. Anastasia Synn at Scot Nery's BoobyTrap, retrieved August 25, 2019
  43. "See Anastasia Synn at Beyond Brookledge". Boing Boing. February 25, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  44. "VANISH MAGIC BACK ISSUES Vanish Magic Magazine 50". view.joomag.com. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  45. "iTricks.com Magic News, Magic Videos and Podcasts » Blog Archive » Vanish, Anastasia Synn And Much More [Magic Bulletin]". Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  46. "'Untitled Amazing Johnathan Documentary': Film Review | Sundance 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. January 25, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
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