Solange Kardinaly is a world-renowned quick-change artist and magician from Portugal who took the global stage by storm in 2024 with her jaw-dropping performances on America's Got Talent. Combining lightning-fast costume changes with traditional magic, she has redefined what quick-change artistry can be [1].
Solange was born into a family of magicians—she is a third-generation performer in a circus family from Portugal. She made her debut on Portuguese television at just seven years old, and by age ten, she was already winning magic tournaments [2].
As a teenager, she perfected her dove routine, but it was the art of quick-change illusion that became her true passion. She has since performed in theaters, cabarets, and circuses around the globe.
Solange is married to Arkadio José Jiménez Rodríguez (known simply as Arkadio), a Spanish illusionist. Arkadio is a multidisciplinary artist who dominates one of the most difficult categories of magic—manipulation—and has won prestigious awards including the Baguette d'Or in Monte Carlo, the Mandrake d'Or in Paris, and multiple awards in Spain and France [3].
Together, the couple has dedicated years to creating their routines. They have a son named Jason, who serves as Solange's primary motivation.
Solange's AGT audition, set to Madonna's "Material Girl," became a viral sensation. She changed outfits at impossible speed, making dresses appear from handbags, fabric, and even a gold frame. Howie Mandel declared her "the best quick-change artist we've ever seen," and Simon Cowell agreed [6].
Her quarterfinal performance featured new magic elements and even more impressive changes. In the semifinals, she performed to "Murder on the Dance Floor" by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, earning a spot in the finals. Her finals performance was set to "Hot To Go!"
In the finale, she performed alongside the Las Vegas cast of Magic Mike Live.
Solange appeared on the legendary magic competition show but did not fool Penn and Teller. She performed her signature quick-change routine, showcasing the skill that would later make her an AGT sensation [7].
Solange returned to the AGT stage as a guest performer during the Season 20 semifinals results show, demonstrating that her abilities had only grown since her initial run.
The audition that launched her to fame. Performing to "Material Girl," she transformed through multiple outfits including:
Set to "Murder on the Dance Floor," featuring six outfit changes and numerous sleight-of-hand magic tricks.
Performance set to "Hot To Go!"
Season 10, Episode 4: "We've Got a Raccoon Problem"
Solange currently performs her own Vegas show called "My Magical World." The production tells the story of "a girl who has wanted to be a magician since she was little. Thanks to her determination, she becomes one of the best magicians in the world."
Her ultimate goal, as she stated on AGT, is to give her son Jason "the best life" and to have her own show on the Las Vegas strip [8].
Solange has proven that quick-change magic can stand alone as a headlining act without the traditional male assistant. Her performances combine:
As Simon Cowell noted: "Sometimes when we have these acts, you have a lady who does the quick change and then normally an annoying guy who does nothing—and the fact that you were on your own and did it for me made it so much better."
Her success has opened doors for female quick-change artists worldwide and demonstrated the endless possibilities of the art form.
[1] Solange Kardinaly - AGT Wiki
[2] Solange Kardinaly - NBC AGT Insider
[4] Portuguese Magician of the Year Award
[5] Guinness World Record - Most Costume Changes
[6] AGT 2024 Audition Reactions