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{{short description|Psychic and drag queen (b. 1984)}} {{Short description|American psychic medium}}

{{Other people5|Thomas John (disambiguation){{!}}Thomas John}}
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{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
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{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
|name = Thomas John |name = Thomas John
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|birth_name = Thomas John Flanagan |birth_name = Thomas John Flanagan
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|07|08}}{{R|GoPride}} |birth_date =
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|death_date = |death_date =
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|nationality = American |nationality = American
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|known_for = |known_for =
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|occupation = Self-described ] |occupation = ]
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{{Paranormal}} {{Paranormal}}


'''Thomas John Flanagan''', known professionally as '''Thomas John''', is a former Chicago ],{{R|DailyNews2}} who claims to be a ] ] with ] abilities. He has been called the "Manhattan Medium" and stars in the ] show, ''Seatbelt Psychic''. An investigation by ] determined that the riders in this show were hired actors,{{R|Buckle}} and in 2019 it was revealed by a ] report that a ] found John was using information acquired from audience Facebook accounts during group readings.{{R|secret}}{{R|Pizza}}{{R|Mehta}} '''Thomas John Flanagan''', known professionally as '''Thomas John''', is an American ]. He starred in the 2018 ] show, '']'', and the ] series ''The Thomas John Experience'' beginning in June 2020. In January 2020, John began a live show at ] in ], which was put on hiatus as of March 16, 2020.


John has been the subject of significant criticism, including his use of information acquired online during group readings (]).
⚫ In 2009, John was arrested and pleaded guilty to ] ] for posting fake apartment ads on ] and stealing the security deposits from renters.{{R|DailyNews1}}


==Drag queen career== ==Early life==
According to John, he had his first psychic experience when he was 4 years old and saw his deceased grandfather.{{R|Cosmopolitan}} 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.{{R|BocaMag}}
Prior to becoming a medium, John performed in ] around ] under the name Lady Vera Parker.{{R|GoPride}}{{R|DailyNews2}}


John has also described his encounters with spirits as vague details coming up first, and specifics being spoken to him after.{{R|Vogue}}
John is an official promoter of the 2019 ], which uses the slogan "Where Boys Are Boys and Female Impersonation is an Art", and is scheduled to be held on March 19, 2019.{{R|MGNY}}


==Mediumship== ==Mediumship career==
] ]
John first started working professionally as a ] in his mid-20s, and now divides his work between ] and ]. He counts among his clients ], ], ], ], and ].{{R|Vogue}} Despite the ] consensus that ] is a ],{{R|Skeptoid}}{{R|Swiss}} John has convinced some ] reporters that he has ] powers:{{R|MLive}} John first started working professionally as a ] in his mid-20s, and has worked in ] and ]. John gives private readings to clients and holds speaking events in person and online.{{R|Private}}{{R|Novella}} John stars in the ] ''The Thomas John Experience'', which premiered on June 4, 2020, on ].{{R|CBS}} The show was recorded in cities around the United States including New Orleans, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles.{{R|Post}} A ''Las Vegas Magazine'' review praised John's live show at Cleopatra's Barge inside ], which premiered on January 16, 2020.{{R|Miyasato}} The show was put on indefinite hiatus on March 16, 2020.{{R|lvmag}}
*] published an article titled "How a Celebrity Psychic Turned One Proud Skeptic Into a Believer"{{R|Vogue}}
*] asked John "When did you first realize you had a gift?"{{R|HWReporter}}
*] asked John "A lot of us are curious about the afterlife. What can you tell us about it?"{{R|SFWeekly}}
*] said "Every time psychic medium Thomas John is on ''The Nine'', he blows us away and makes everyone cry."{{R|Fox2}} {{clear}}
*] said "Thomas John has made a career blowing minds with his gift for communicating with those who have passed. Honing in on his unique skill at an early age, the celebrity medium has become the go-to psychic with a track record that has even stunned skeptics."{{R|NYPix11}}


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.{{R|Clement}} ] produced a ] starring John called ''Seatbelt Psychic''. This show began its run on July 11, 2018, and stars John as a ] driver who surprises passengers when he delivers messages from their ] relatives.{{R|NYPix11}}{{R|HWReporter}}{{R|Bustle}}
==''Seatbelt Psychic''==
] produced a ] starring John called ''Seatbelt Psychic''. This show began its run on July 11, 2018, and stars John as a ] driver who surprises “unsuspecting” passengers when he delivers messages from their ] relatives. It is produced by Zeb Newman, Ryan Simpkins, Sarah Happel, Emma Conway, Brie Miranda Bryant, and ].{{R|NYPix11}}{{R|HWReporter}}{{R|Bustle}}


===Reception===
John's alleged psychic abilities in the context of the show have been challenged by ], a ] and ] of the ], who discovered that John's passengers are actually actors, several of which are documented in ]. Gerbic concluded that the riders were likely hired to ride with John, but were probably not acting when talking with him. She concluded that the details about their lives mentioned by John were easily found on social media sources, and likely fed to John, making the readings actually ]s. One rider, Wendy Westmoreland, played a character on ''Stalked by a Doctor'', a TV show also produced by Lifetime.{{R|Buckle}}{{R|Mehta}}
⚫ In March 2017, John was accused of doing a ] after a sting operation planned and implemented by ] and ] ]. Gerbic and Edward attended John's show using ], 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 ] accounts, rather than being about their actual lives.{{R|Pizza}}{{R|secret}}


In early 2021, John announced plans to hold a "Virtual Spirit Circle for Children" on April 19.{{R|Circle}}{{R|Circle2}} Upon learning of this event, neurologist ] criticized what he saw as the exploitation of ].{{R|Novella}}
In a 2019 television segment on ''Last Week Tonight'', ] criticized the media for producing shows such as this, because they convince viewers that psychic powers are real, and so enable neighborhood psychics to prey on grieving families. Oliver said "...when psychic abilities are presented as authentic, it emboldens a vast underworld of unscrupulous vultures, more than happy to make money by offering an open line to the afterlife, as well as many other bullshit services."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/feb/25/john-oliver-last-week-tonight-recap-psychics|title=John Oliver on psychics: 'A vast underworld of unscrupulous vultures'|last=Horton|first=Adrian|date=February 25, 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225190230/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/feb/25/john-oliver-last-week-tonight-recap-psychics|archive-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mehta |first1=Hemant |title=John Oliver Exposed the Media’s Complicity in Promoting Psychic “Mediums” |url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/02/25/john-oliver-exposed-the-medias-complicity-in-promoting-psychic-mediums/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2x1gmq6pVOLFNpFHj__qwtVUqVK2guxhIIBP8WPknfBhhN8Q6imyvs0h8 |website=Friendlyatheist.patheos.com |publisher=Patheos |accessdate=25 February 2019 |date=25 February 2019|dead-url=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Psychics: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhMGcp9xIhY |website=Youtube |publisher=LastWeekTonight |accessdate=25 February 2019}}</ref>


==Operation Pizza Roll== ==Legal issues==
⚫ In 2009, John was arrested and pleaded guilty to theft and computer fraud for posting fake apartment ads on ] and stealing the security deposits from renters.{{R|Shaff}}{{R|DailyNews1}}


==Publications==
]) and "Mark Wilson" (]) posing with unsuspecting John after their reading]]
⚫ *{{cite book |last1=John |first1=Thomas |title=Never Argue with a Dead Person: True and Unbelievable Stories from the Other Side |date=25 February 2015 |publisher=Hampton Roads Publishing |isbn=978-1571747242 |df=dmy-all }}

⚫ In March 2017, John was caught doing a ] in a sting operation named "Operation Pizza Roll" which was planned and implemented by ] and ] ]. The unmarried couple Gerbic and Edward attended John's show using ], and were "read" as a married couple Susanna and Mark Wilson by John. During the entire reading, John failed to determine the actual identities of Gerbic and Edward, or that they were being 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, and John pretended he was getting this information from Gerbic and Edward's supposedly dead—but actually nonexistent—relatives.{{R|Pizza}}

As Jack Hit reported in ]:
{{Quote|text="Over the course of the reading, John comfortably laid down the specifics of Susanna Wilson’s life — he named “Andy” and amazingly knew him to be her twin. He knew that she and her brother grew up in Michigan and that his girlfriend was Maria. He knew about Susanna’s father-in-law and how he died."{{R|secret}}}}

These details were from the falsified ] accounts for the pair which were prepared by a group of ] in advance of the reading, and Gerbic and Edward were not aware of the specific information in these accounts. This blinding was done in order to avoid John later being able to claim he obtained the false information by reading Gerbic and Edward's minds.{{R|Pizza}}

In her report, Gerbic also revealed that during an after-show private event, John disclosed in a group setting that at least one of the people in the audience which he did a reading about was actually his own student.{{R|Pizza}}{{R|Mehta}}

When Hit reached out to John for comment, John insisted that he did not use Facebook, saying "I do remember her coming to an event... I recognized her because she was there with that other guy who wrote that book." He also told Hit that "I have my eyes closed for an hour and a half when I'm doing readings. If she spoke up during that period of time, I don't remember that." John also argued that the entire experiment wasn’t really scientific enough, saying "For Susan to come to a reading and get a two-minute reading and say, well, 'I made a fake post about my dog, Buddy, and my father who died,' it’s really not any sort of scientific testing of psychic powers." He added, "First off, someone will have to be a scientist to do a scientific experiment, not someone who used to be a photographer at Sears."{{R|secret}}

When asked whether psychics would change their behavior now that they knew her methods, Gerbic said "I hope they see Gerbics in their audience every time they look out and wonder if we might be there." {{R|Hemant2}}

==Felony fraud conviction and challenges to veracity==

On June 30, 2009 John was arrested and charged with two offences, of theft and theft by deception. It was alleged that he advertised and collected rent on properties that he did not own. He was found guilty on both counts, and sentenced to probation on July 2, 2009.{{R|Shaff}}{{R|DailyNews1}}

The Daily News article reported that John was being sued by a ]-based ] firm, ZTPR, because he hadn't paid their bill. John had hired ZTPR to repair his public relations image after the ''Daily News'' uncovered and reported on his fraud conviction. According to court papers, ZTPR "completed all the services of helping him build and exaggerate in the press his public profile as a believable psychic medium". Slattery reported that John "told ''The News'' he's worked out a settlement with ZTPR, but... ZTPR president Zack Teperman said the matter was still being reviewed by the company's lawyers."{{R|DailyNews1}}

==Bibliography==
*''Never Argue with a Dead Person: True and Unbelievable Stories from the Other Side''{{R|Argue}}

==See also==<!-- Please respect alphabetical order -->
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*] ("One of the most extraordinary fake mediums... the world has ever known" -Houdini)
*'']''
*]
*]
*]
*'']''
*]
*'']''
*'']''
*] (Historic investigator of psychic mediums)
*]
*]
}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|refs= {{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=Vogue>{{cite web |last1=Anderson|first1=Kristin|title=How a Celebrity Psychic Turned One Proud Skeptic Into a Believer |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/thomas-john-celebrity-psychic-hollywood-medium |website=Vogue.com |publisher=Vogue |accessdate=29 June 2018|date = 15 October 2016}}</ref>


<ref name=ParaHerald>{{cite web |title=Famous psychic, John Thomas,scandal that rocked the media world and Paranormal world. |url=https://paranormalheraldmagazine.wordpress.com/2015/09/11/famous-psychic-john-thomasscandal-that-rocked-the-media-world-and-paranormal-world/ |publisher=Paranormal Herald Magazine |accessdate=30 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/yI7Em |archivedate=30 June 2018 |date=11 September 2015|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name=Vogue>{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Kristin |title=How a Celebrity Psychic Turned One Proud Skeptic Into a Believer |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/thomas-john-celebrity-psychic-hollywood-medium |website=Vogue.com |publisher=Vogue |access-date=29 June 2018 |date=15 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629191316/https://www.vogue.com/article/thomas-john-celebrity-psychic-hollywood-medium |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


<ref name=DailyNews1>{{cite web |last1=Slattery |first1=Denis |title=Manhattan psychic who ran Craigslist scam sued for owing money to PR firm hired to fix his image |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/deadbeat-psychic-sued-public-relations-makeover-article-1.2575710 |website=nydailynews.com |publisher=NY Daily News |accessdate=29 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/ZjFX0 |archivedate=29 June 2018 |date=23 March 2016|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name=DailyNews1>{{cite web |last1=Slattery |first1=Denis |title=Manhattan psychic who ran Craigslist scam sued for owing money to PR firm hired to fix his image |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/deadbeat-psychic-sued-public-relations-makeover-article-1.2575710 |website=nydailynews.com |publisher=NY Daily News |access-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180629192011/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/deadbeat-psychic-sued-public-relations-makeover-article-1.2575710 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |date=23 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


<ref name=DailyNews2>{{cite web |last1=Slattery |first1=Denis |title='Manhattan Medium' Thomas John has celeb clientele — and shady past as scammer and drag queen |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/celebrity-psychic-thomas-john-scammer-drag-queen-article-1.2304457 |website=NYdailynews.com |publisher=NY Daily News |accessdate=29 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/SPVGV |archivedate=29 June 2018 |date=25 July 2015|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name=NYPix11>{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Andrew |title=Renowned medium Thomas John spooks ride-share passengers in 'Seatbelt Psychic' |url=https://pix11.com/2018/06/28/renowned-medium-thomas-john-spooks-ride-share-passengers-in-seatbelt-psychic/ |website=pix11.com/ |publisher=PIX 11 |access-date=29 June 2018 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628234718/https://pix11.com/2018/06/28/renowned-medium-thomas-john-spooks-ride-share-passengers-in-seatbelt-psychic/ |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


<ref name=SFWeekly>{{cite web |last1=Quick |first1=Quentin |title=Celebrity Medium Thomas John Breaks on Through (To the Other Side) |url=http://www.sfweekly.com/culture/celebrity-medium-thomas-john-breaks-on-through-to-the-other-side/# |website=SFweekly.com |publisher=SF Weekly |accessdate=29 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/B7z2J |archivedate=29 June 2018 |date=29 June 2018|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name=HWReporter>{{cite web |last1=Gardner |first1=Chris |title='Seatbelt Psychic' Thomas John on New Lifetime Show: "Skeptics are Definitely Welcome" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/seatbelt-psychic-thomas-john-new-lifetime-show-skeptics-are-definitely-welcome-1119960 |website=hollywoodreporter.com |publisher=Hollywood Reporter |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630205022/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/seatbelt-psychic-thomas-john-new-lifetime-show-skeptics-are-definitely-welcome-1119960 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |date=22 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


⚫ <ref name=Pizza>{{cite news |last1=Gerbic |first1=Susan|author-link=Susan Gerbic |title=Operation Pizza Roll- Thomas John |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-pizza-roll_-_thomas-john/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200515050735/https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-pizza-roll_-_thomas-john/|archive-date=May 15, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |url-status=live|date=February 21, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=NYPix11>{{cite web |last1=Ramos|first1=Andrew|title=Renowned medium Thomas John spooks ride-share passengers in ‘Seatbelt Psychic’ |url=https://pix11.com/2018/06/28/renowned-medium-thomas-john-spooks-ride-share-passengers-in-seatbelt-psychic/ |website=pix11.com/ |publisher=PIX 11 |accessdate=29 June 2018 |archivedate=29 June 2018 |date=28 June 2018}}</ref>


⚫ <ref name=Bustle>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/how-do-you-get-on-seatbelt-psychic-the-contestants-on-lifetimes-reality-series-get-a-reading-in-addition-to-their-ride-9718324|title=How Do You Get On 'Seatbelt Psychic'? The Contestants On Lifetime's Reality Series Get A Reading In Addition To Their Ride|last=Blanton|first=Kayla|date=July 11, 2019|website=Bustle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224035035/https://www.bustle.com/p/how-do-you-get-on-seatbelt-psychic-the-contestants-on-lifetimes-reality-series-get-a-reading-in-addition-to-their-ride-9718324|archive-date=February 24, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=January 23, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=Fox2>{{cite web |title=Psychic medium Thomas John returns for show in West Bloomfield April 12 |url=http://www.fox2detroit.com/good-day/psychic-medium-thomas-john-returns-for-show-in-west-bloomfield-april-12 |website=Fox2detroit.com |publisher=Fox News |accessdate=30 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/DtNUB |archivedate=30 June 2018 |date=12 April 2018|dead-url=no}}</ref>


<ref name=HWReporter>{{cite web |last1=Gardner |first1=Chris |title='Seatbelt Psychic' Thomas John on New Lifetime Show: "Skeptics are Definitely Welcome" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/seatbelt-psychic-thomas-john-new-lifetime-show-skeptics-are-definitely-welcome-1119960 |website=hollywoodreporter.com |publisher=Hollywood Reporter |accessdate=30 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630205022/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/seatbelt-psychic-thomas-john-new-lifetime-show-skeptics-are-definitely-welcome-1119960 |archivedate=30 June 2018 |date=22 June 2018|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name =Shaff>{{cite news |last1=Shaff |first1=Jay |title=Drag Queen Lady Vera Parker Arrested In Chicago |url=http://www.ontopmag.com/article/4166/Drag_Queen_Lady_Vera_Parker_Arrested_In_Chicago |access-date=24 January 2019 |work=On Top Magazine |date=July 9, 2009 |language=english |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124152421/http://www.ontopmag.com/article/4166/Drag_Queen_Lady_Vera_Parker_Arrested_In_Chicago |archive-date=24 January 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


⚫ <ref name=secret>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html|title=Inside the Secret Sting Operations to Expose Celebrity Psychics|last=Hitt|first=Jack|date=February 26, 2019|website=New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226133658/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html|archive-date=February 26, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=MLive>{{cite web |last1=Pevos |first1=Edward |title=We can't explain our encounter with psychic medium Thomas John: See for yourself |url=https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/11/we_cant_explain_our_encounter.html |website=Mlive.com |publisher=Michigan Live |accessdate=30 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/Vt0HE |archivedate=30 June 2018 |date=16 November 2017|dead-url=no}}</ref>


<ref name=CBS>{{cite web |title=CBS ALL ACCESS' NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES "THE THOMAS JOHN EXPERIENCE" TO PREMIERE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 4 |url=https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/cbs-all-access/releases/view?id=55291 |website=ViacomCBS Press Express |publisher=ViacomCBS |access-date=30 May 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
⚫ <ref name=Argue>{{cite book |last1=John |first1=Thomas |title=Never Argue with a Dead Person: True and Unbelievable Stories from the Other Side |date=25 February 2015 |publisher=Hampton Roads Publishing |isbn=978-1571747242 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Never-Argue-Dead-Person-Unbelievable/dp/1571747249 |accessdate=2 July 2018|dead-url=no}}}</ref>


<ref name=GoPride>{{cite web |last1=Shaff |first1=Jay |title=Lady Vera Parker arrested and jailed |url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/7658001 |website=chicago.gopride.com |publisher=Go Pride |accessdate=2 July 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/Ow5eK |archivedate=2 July 2018 |date=6 July 2009|dead-url=no}}}</ref> <ref name=Cosmopolitan>{{cite news |last1=Beck |first1=Laura |title=What It's Really Like to Be a Psychic Who Also Communes With the Dead |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/a7664639/psychic-medium-interview/ |publisher=Cosmopolitan |date=1 Nov 2016}}</ref>


<ref name=Private>{{cite news |last1=Sorren |first1=Martha |title=How Much Does A Thomas John Appointment Cost? The 'Seatbelt Psychic' Is Still Taking Private Readings |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/how-much-does-a-thomas-john-appointment-cost-the-seatbelt-psychic-is-still-taking-private-readings-9682558 |publisher=Bustle |date=11 Jul 2018}}</ref>
⚫ <ref name=Pizza>{{cite news |last1=Gerbic |first1=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic |title=Operation Pizza Roll- Thomas John |url=https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/operation_pizza_roll_-_thomas_john?fbclid=IwAR2TfdfXhTIZfrR8IWaZcsnrypUqJLb5h-YEpkdkWriLUzUjMqjt0Rvlzug|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224032143/https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/operation_pizza_roll_-_thomas_john|archive-date=February 23, 2019 |accessdate=February 23, 2019 |dead-url=no|date=February 21, 2019}}</ref>


<ref name=Post>{{cite news |last1=Sarner |first1=Lauren |title=Celebrity medium Thomas John dishes on new CBS show and naysayers |url=https://nypost.com/2020/06/02/celebrity-medium-thomas-john-dishes-on-new-cbs-show-and-naysayers/ |publisher=New York Post |date=2 Jun 2020}}</ref>
<ref name=Buckle>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/buckle_up_-_seatbelt_psychic|title=Buckle Up - Seatbelt Psychic|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=February 21, 2019|website=Center for Inquiry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224032258/https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/buckle_up_-_seatbelt_psychic|archive-date=February 23, 2019|dead-url=no|access-date=February 23, 2019}}</ref>


<ref name=Novella>{{cite web |last1=Novella |first1=Steven |title=Psychic Mediums and Grieving Children |url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/psychic-mediums-and-grieving-children/|website=sciencebasedmedicine.org\ |publisher=Science-Based Medicine |access-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204224408/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/psychic-mediums-and-grieving-children/ |archive-date=4 February 2021 |date=3 February 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
⚫ <ref name=Bustle>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/how-do-you-get-on-seatbelt-psychic-the-contestants-on-lifetimes-reality-series-get-a-reading-in-addition-to-their-ride-9718324|title=How Do You Get On ‘Seatbelt Psychic’? The Contestants On Lifetime’s Reality Series Get A Reading In Addition To Their Ride|last=Blanton|first=Kayla|date=July 11, 2019|website=Bustle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224035035/https://www.bustle.com/p/how-do-you-get-on-seatbelt-psychic-the-contestants-on-lifetimes-reality-series-get-a-reading-in-addition-to-their-ride-9718324|archive-date=January 23, 2019|dead-url=no|access-date=January 23, 2019}}</ref>


<ref name = Miyasato>{{cite web |last1=Miyasato |first1=Kiko |title=Thomas John Connects with Las Vegas Audiences |url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2020/feb/21/psychic-thomas-john-caesars-palace-las-vegas/ |website=lasvegasmagazine.com |publisher=Las Vegas Magazine |access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>
<ref name=MGNY>{{cite web |title=Miss Gay New York America (A Standard Regional Preliminary) |url=http://www.missgayamerica.com/miss-gay-new-york-america.html |website=Missgayamerica.com |accessdate=16 January 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116202447/http://www.missgayamerica.com/miss-gay-new-york-america.html |archivedate=16 January 2019|dead-url=no}}</ref>


<ref name=Skeptoid>{{cite web|last1=Propatier|first1=Stephen|title=Susan Gerbic: Vampire Slayer|url=https://skeptoid.com/blog/2016/01/22/susan-vampire-slayer/|website=Skeptoid.com|publisher=Skeptoid Media|accessdate=9 September 2017}}</ref> <ref name = Clement>{{cite news |last1=Clement |first1=Olivia |title=Psychic and Medium Thomas John to Bring Dead Serious Off-Broadway |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/psychic-and-medium-thomas-john-to-bring-dead-serious-off-broadway |publisher=Playbill |date=27 Jun 2019}}</ref>


<ref name=Circle>{{cite web |title=Virtual Spirit Circle for Children |url=https://mediumthomas.com/events/777-child-virtual-spirit-circle |website=mediumthomas.com |publisher=Thomas John |access-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204235304/https://mediumthomas.com/events/777-child-virtual-spirit-circle |archive-date=4 February 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=Swiss>{{cite web|last1=Swiss|first1=Jamy Ian|authorlink1=Jamy Ian Swiss|title=Jamy Ian Swiss - In Pursuit of Psychics: For Good Reason|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oMxslSj7C4|website=Youtube.com|publisher=James Randi Foundation|accessdate=9 September 2017}}</ref>


<ref name=Circle2>{{cite web |title=Virtual Spirit Circle for Children - April 19th, 2021 |url=https://thomas-john-inc.myshopify.com/products/virtual-spirit-circle-for-children-april-19th-2021-7-9pm-et-new-york-local-time |website=thomas-john-inc.myshopify.com |publisher=Thomas John |access-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210205043721/https://thomas-john-inc.myshopify.com/products/virtual-spirit-circle-for-children-april-19th-2021-7-9pm-et-new-york-local-time |archive-date=5 February 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name =Shaff>{{cite news |last1=Shaff |first1=Jay |title=Drag Queen Lady Vera Parker Arrested In Chicago |url=http://www.ontopmag.com/article/4166/Drag_Queen_Lady_Vera_Parker_Arrested_In_Chicago |accessdate=24 January 2019 |work=On Top Magazine |date=July 9, 2009 |language=english}}</ref>


<ref name=BocaMag>{{cite news |title=Q&A: Psychic Medium Thomas John |url=https://www.bocamag.com/qa-psychic-medium-thomas-john/ |access-date=12 May 2021 |publisher=Boca Magazine |date=October 11, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=Mehta>{{cite web |last1=Mehta |first1=Hemant |authorlink=Hemant Mehta|title=Skeptics Set a Trap and a So-Called “Celebrity Medium” Fell for the Hoax |url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/02/23/skeptics-set-a-trap-and-a-so-called-celebrity-medium-fell-for-the-hoax/?fbclid=IwAR0SFcPwjxUVdVVMkGP5yhDWUYe8RjBS1PKysb918pVlGz8OCjv-a70mzhI |website=Friendlyatheist.patheos.com |publisher=Patheos |accessdate=24 February 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224045312/https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/02/23/skeptics-set-a-trap-and-a-so-called-celebrity-medium-fell-for-the-hoax/?fbclid=IwAR0SFcPwjxUVdVVMkGP5yhDWUYe8RjBS1PKysb918pVlGz8OCjv-a70mzhI |archivedate=24 February 2019 |date=23 February 2019|dead-url=no}}</ref>


<ref name="lvmag">{{cite news |title=A list of Las Vegas Strip closures in the wake of the coronavirus crisis |url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2020/mar/16/las-vegas-strip-closures-coronavirus-crisis/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |work=Las Vegas Magazine |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ <ref name=secret>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html|title=Inside the Secret Sting Operations to Expose Celebrity Psychics|last=Hitt|first=Jack|date=February 26, 2019|website=New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226133658/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html|archive-date=February 26, 2019|dead-url=no|access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref>


<ref name="Hemant2">{{cite web |last1=Hemant |first1=Mehta |title=An Inside Look at How the Guerrilla Skeptics Expose Famous “Psychic Mediums” |url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/02/26/an-inside-look-at-how-the-guerrilla-skeptics-expose-famous-psychic-mediums/?fbclid=IwAR1irMB6MRa8f2PyICnE4pF-q5_EbVOGpciHjpoStQdET6rm3neE33xyRfA |website=friendlyatheist.patheos.com |publisher=Patheos |accessdate=24 February 2019}}</ref>
}} }}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.mediumthomas.com/}}
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*{{IMDb name|nm5371570}}
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{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 03:20, 15 November 2024

American psychic medium

Thomas John
BornThomas John Flanagan
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPsychic medium
Websitewww.mediumthomas.com
Part of a series on the
Paranormal
Main articles
Skepticism
Parapsychology
Related

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.

John has been the subject of significant criticism, including his use of information acquired online during group readings (hot readings).

Early life

According to John, he had his first psychic experience when he was 4 years old and saw his deceased grandfather. 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.

John has also described his encounters with spirits as vague details coming up first, and specifics being spoken to him after.

Mediumship career

Thomas John on stage in 2017

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. John stars in the reality TV show The Thomas John Experience, which premiered on June 4, 2020, on CBS All Access. The show was recorded in cities around the United States including New Orleans, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles. A Las Vegas Magazine review praised John's live show at Cleopatra's Barge inside Caesars Palace, which premiered on January 16, 2020. The show was put on indefinite hiatus on March 16, 2020.

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. 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.

Reception

In 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.

In early 2021, John announced plans to hold a "Virtual Spirit Circle for Children" on April 19. Upon learning of this event, neurologist Steven Novella criticized what he saw as the exploitation of child bereavement.

Legal issues

In 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.

Publications

  • 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

  1. Beck, Laura (November 1, 2016). "What It's Really Like to Be a Psychic Who Also Communes With the Dead". Cosmopolitan.
  2. "Q&A: Psychic Medium Thomas John". Boca Magazine. October 11, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  3. 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.
  4. Sorren, Martha (July 11, 2018). "How Much Does A Thomas John Appointment Cost? The 'Seatbelt Psychic' Is Still Taking Private Readings". Bustle.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. "CBS ALL ACCESS' NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES "THE THOMAS JOHN EXPERIENCE" TO PREMIERE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 4". ViacomCBS Press Express. ViacomCBS. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  7. Sarner, Lauren (June 2, 2020). "Celebrity medium Thomas John dishes on new CBS show and naysayers". New York Post.
  8. Miyasato, Kiko. "Thomas John Connects with Las Vegas Audiences". lasvegasmagazine.com. Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  9. "A list of Las Vegas Strip closures in the wake of the coronavirus crisis". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  10. Clement, Olivia (June 27, 2019). "Psychic and Medium Thomas John to Bring Dead Serious Off-Broadway". Playbill.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Gerbic, Susan (February 21, 2019). "Operation Pizza Roll- Thomas John". Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  15. 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.
  16. "Virtual Spirit Circle for Children". mediumthomas.com. Thomas John. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  17. "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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.

External links

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