The extent of Rachel Ling Gordon’s talents, like her magic act, is mesmerizing. The Purchase-based preteen is adept at singing, acting, voiceover work, juggling, piano and of course, creating incredible illusions. However, Gordon had to overcome some daunting setbacks before she could pursue her dreams.
“When I was young I had selective mutism. It’s an anxiety disorder where I can’t speak outside my home,” says Gordon. “But watching Penn & Teller really inspired me and made me want to create my own magic one day.” Seeing her daughter’s interest, Gordon’s mother, Esther Gordon, decided to enroll Rachel in magic classes during her preschool years. “The magic was almost like medicine,” says Esther. “It gave her so much hope and inspiration.”
After Gordon posted a video of her magic to Instagram, Penn & Teller reached out. Following an audition, Gordon traveled to Las Vegas to hone her act and eventually appeared on the show this past February, where she was the youngest contestant in the program’s 10-year history. “I was very nervous but I was also very excited too. Being on stage I was thinking this is my dream,” says Gordon. “From looking at a screen to being onstage to being on TV, it was like a miracle.”
Aside from her work as an illusionist, Gordon is also a talented voiceover artist. “Trying to be another character distracts me from my anxiety, and it’s so much fun to see how much I can animate that character and put it in my own voice,” she says. So far, Gordon’s voice work has already appeared on Netflix, PBS Kids, Nick Jr., and Nickelodeon. Additionally, Gordon is also a stage actress. In fact, she first drew attention playing the lead of Cindy Lou Who on the Broadway National Tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Aside from her work in entertainment, Gordon also works as an ambassador to the Selective Mutism Association and SMart Center. “I am on the parent panel, so parents can ask me how to cope with [selective mutism], and I go to the classrooms to sing and do magic and plate spin for the kids to make them know that they are safe with us and that they can do anything they put their minds to.”
When Gordon isn’t working, in class, or helping others, she loves spending time shopping at The Westchester and getting ice cream at Carvel. Ahead, Gordon would love to someday appear on a show that involves all her abilities. “I hope to have my own show when I grow up to combine all my talents: juggling, plate spinning, singing, voiceover, piano, and magic,” Gordon says.
However, for the time being, Gordon has her sights set on crafting amazing illusions. “Magic is my biggest passion right now,” she says. “I love magic because I can surprise people and they don’t know what’s coming. It gives people so much joy and hope, and I want to inspire people to do great things and create miracles.”
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