“Extreme” contestant Jonathan Goodwin’s injury and lawsuit explained
Many people don’t think about it before signing up America’s Got Talentbut when you’re hanging upside down, 30 feet in the air, tied to a straitjacket, between two cars that are about to hit you like they were tree trunks, and you’re the Imperial Wanderer from the world Return of the Jedi, You run the risk of getting hurt.
Take, for example, the case of Jonathan Harvey, better known by the stage name Jonathan Goodwin. The 43-year-old daredevil and Britain’s Got Talent The average mortal would commit all sorts of death-defying acts: escaping by being wrapped in chains and buried in gravel, or hanging by his ankles from a trapeze and setting himself on fire. He even made it to the American audience and reached the semi-finals America’s Got Talent in 2020.
Then, in 2021, the escape artist rehearsed for a stunt in the (understandably) short-lived series AGT spin off America’s Got Talent: Extreme. During the performance, Goodwin, a human made of flesh, was suspended upside down in a straitjacket 10 meters above the ground. Theoretically, he could have escaped the straitjacket before two cars crashed from either side and crushed him.
Goodwin’s stunt went terribly wrong. According to a lawsuit against the show’s producers shared by deadline, Goodwin stated that what happened was due to extreme negligence behind the scenes: the cars were released early, Goodwin was crushed between them and caught fire in the process.
The result was a long list of serious injuries, including third-degree burns, numerous broken bones, the loss of a kidney and the dislocation of his spine, likely resulting in permanent paralysis below the waist. He was reportedly released from the hospital in February 2022 after a four-month stay.
The documents filed Wednesday, Oct. 11, in Los Angeles state, “Mr. Harvey suffered catastrophic, life-altering injuries as a result of defendants’ knowing disregard for the safety of others and their gross, wanton and reckless violations.”
Goodwin, meanwhile, has chosen to tone down daring acts, explaining in an Instagram post that he “may leave the stupid shit alone for a while, but I still have a lot of work to do in this world,” adding in the same post : “To death I say Nananana Boo Boo… and to the rest of you… watch this space.”
America’s Got Talent: Extremehosted by Nick Cannon, was canceled after four episodes.
