Thomas John Flanagan, known professionally as Thomas John, is an American psychic medium. He starred in the 2018 reality TV show, Seatbelt Psychic, and the CBS All Access series The Thomas John Experience beginning in June 2020. In January 2020, John began a live show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, which was put on hiatus as of March 16, 2020.
Thomas John | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Thomas John Flanagan |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Psychic medium |
| Website | www |
John has been the subject of significant criticism, including his use of information acquired online during group readings (hot readings).
Early life
editAccording to John, he had his first psychic experience when he was 4 years old and saw his deceased grandfather.[1] He said that he experienced his grandfather in a room when he was physically not there, in addition to having seen his grandfather at birthday parties.[2]
John has also described his encounters with spirits as vague details coming up first, and specifics being spoken to him after.[3]
Mediumship career
edit
John first started working professionally as a medium in his mid-20s, and has worked in New York City and Los Angeles. John gives private readings to clients and holds speaking events in person and online.[4][5] John stars in the reality TV show The Thomas John Experience, which premiered on June 4, 2020, on CBS All Access.[6] The show was recorded in cities around the United States including New Orleans, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles.[7] A Las Vegas Magazine review praised John's live show at Cleopatra's Barge inside Caesars Palace, which premiered on January 16, 2020.[8] The show was put on indefinite hiatus on March 16, 2020.[9]
A musical based on John's life and experiences titled Dead Serious premiered off-Broadway in July 2019. Co-written by Michelle Wendt and John, the musical pulled from John's personal stories, exploring his journey as a medium. Dead Serious played from July through September 2019 at the Theatre Center in New York City.[10] Lifetime produced a reality TV show starring John called Seatbelt Psychic. This show began its run on July 11, 2018, and stars John as a ridesharing company driver who surprises passengers when he delivers messages from their deceased relatives.[11][12][13]
Reception
editIn March 2017, John was accused of doing a hot reading after a sting operation planned and implemented by Susan Gerbic and mentalist Mark Edward. Gerbic and Edward attended John's show using aliases, and John "read" them as a married couple. During the entire reading, John failed to determine the actual identities of Gerbic and Edward, or that they were deceptive during his reading. All personal information he gave them matched what was on their falsified Facebook accounts, rather than being about their actual lives.[14][15]
In early 2021, John announced plans to hold a "Virtual Spirit Circle for Children" on April 19.[16][17] Upon learning of this event, neurologist Steven Novella criticized what he saw as the exploitation of child bereavement.[5]
Legal issues
editIn 2009, John was arrested and pleaded guilty to theft and computer fraud for posting fake apartment ads on Craigslist and stealing the security deposits from renters.[18][19]
Publications
edit- John, Thomas (25 February 2015). Never Argue with a Dead Person: True and Unbelievable Stories from the Other Side. Hampton Roads Publishing. ISBN 978-1571747242.
References
edit- ^ Beck, Laura (November 1, 2016). "What It's Really Like to Be a Psychic Who Also Communes With the Dead". Cosmopolitan.
- ^ "Q&A: Psychic Medium Thomas John". Boca Magazine. October 11, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Kristin (15 October 2016). "How a Celebrity Psychic Turned One Proud Skeptic Into a Believer". Vogue.com. Vogue. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
- ^ Sorren, Martha (July 11, 2018). "How Much Does A Thomas John Appointment Cost? The 'Seatbelt Psychic' Is Still Taking Private Readings". Bustle.
- ^ a b Novella, Steven (February 3, 2021). "Psychic Mediums and Grieving Children". sciencebasedmedicine.org\. Science-Based Medicine. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ "CBS ALL ACCESS' NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES "THE THOMAS JOHN EXPERIENCE" TO PREMIERE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 4". ViacomCBS Press Express. ViacomCBS. Retrieved May 30, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Sarner, Lauren (June 2, 2020). "Celebrity medium Thomas John dishes on new CBS show and naysayers". New York Post.
- ^ Miyasato, Kiko. "Thomas John Connects with Las Vegas Audiences". lasvegasmagazine.com. Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "A list of Las Vegas Strip closures in the wake of the coronavirus crisis". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (June 27, 2019). "Psychic and Medium Thomas John to Bring Dead Serious Off-Broadway". Playbill.
- ^ Ramos, Andrew (28 June 2018). "Renowned medium Thomas John spooks ride-share passengers in 'Seatbelt Psychic'". pix11.com/. PIX 11. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (June 22, 2018). "'Seatbelt Psychic' Thomas John on New Lifetime Show: "Skeptics are Definitely Welcome"". hollywoodreporter.com. Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Blanton, Kayla (July 11, 2019). "How Do You Get On 'Seatbelt Psychic'? The Contestants On Lifetime's Reality Series Get A Reading In Addition To Their Ride". Bustle. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ Gerbic, Susan (February 21, 2019). "Operation Pizza Roll- Thomas John". Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
- ^ Hitt, Jack (February 26, 2019). "Inside the Secret Sting Operations to Expose Celebrity Psychics". New York Times. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ "Virtual Spirit Circle for Children". mediumthomas.com. Thomas John. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ "Virtual Spirit Circle for Children - April 19th, 2021". thomas-john-inc.myshopify.com. Thomas John. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ Shaff, Jay (9 July 2009). "Drag Queen Lady Vera Parker Arrested In Chicago". On Top Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
- ^ Slattery, Denis (23 March 2016). "Manhattan psychic who ran Craigslist scam sued for owing money to PR firm hired to fix his image". nydailynews.com. NY Daily News. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.