The London-born psychic medium, who advises CEOs and counsels celebrities, is now taking centre stage in Tinseltown

Today, almost exactly two decades later, Garzilli’s own profile is on a par with many of her clients. In that relatively short space of time, she has published several bestselling books, hosted an acclaimed TV talk show, appeared on countless television programmes and, more recently, has been cast in her first lead acting role.

This interview, Garzilli’s first since she landed the part with Dhar Mann Studios, takes place remotely a short distance from its film set in Burbank, California. She is reading a script for Secrets of The Shadows, Dhar Mann’s twelfth series in which she plays villain, Bridget Bishop.

“She’s a character that’s vastly different to my own spiritual identity,” Garzilli tells me. “Bridget Bishop is a woman with secrets and shadows – someone who is caught between worlds, just like many of us. Portraying her required tapping into a different side of myself, one that is darker and more conflicted.”

The challenge has enabled Garzilli to stretch her creative muscles and to draw on her real-life experiences as a psychic. “As a medium, you’re always engaging with energies that aren’t easily visible to others. Acting isn’t so different; you’re tuning into a character’s inner world, finding what makes them tick, and bringing that to life,” she explains.

Garzilli’s journey to fame and fortune reads like the arc in a Hollywood movie. Born and educated in London, she carved out a semi-successful career as a psychic medium and created a TV show called Psychic Interactive for SKY. “It was ironic as I was giving advice on TV but was finding myself trapped in a toxic environment and unhealthy relationships. I was forced to quit, and, hit rock bottom.” Moving to America and discovering 12-step programme Al Anon was key in climbing out of her hole, thanks in no small part to her desire to use her psychic abilities to help others. Soon after she arrived in Los Angeles, she met her husband and soulmate, Nick Garzilli, a technology innovator and start-up investor. Married almost 19 years, they have a 15-year-old son, Dominick who is studying media at Hollywood High School.

Within a few years, of moving to LA, Garzilli published her first bestseller, Unleash the Psychic in You. As news of her psychic offerings spread, so too did her celebrity clientele. By 2007, Garzilli had worked with Lewinsky, Goldie Hawn, Hall of Fame athlete Ernie Banks and numerous high-profile leaders in US government and business. She remains one of LA’s go-to spiritual success coaches whose latest book ‘Big Miracles’ (HarperCollins, 2017) hit The Daily Mail headlines after the American actress and dancer, Jenna Dewan was pictured reading a copy of Garzilli’s book.

Garzilli’s books won considerable acclaim, and landed her guest slots on the BBC, Fox News, the Daily Mail, NPR, Coast to Coast, Well & Good, Hallmark Channel and Hay House Radio, among others. She would also go on to host and produce talk show, Life Stories with Joanna Garzilli on the Focus TV network where she interviewed Netflix stars. It also led to an acting role as herself in Adulting, directed by Sheldon Bailey from FX’s Clipped, the short film was nominated for several festival awards.

More recently, Garzilli was offered a job most actors would die for: a lead role on Dhar Mann’s Secrets of the Shadows, a nine-part spooky Halloween series – complete with vampires, werewolves, witches and ghosts – set to premiere on 21st October.

For the uninitiated, Dhar Mann is an American producer who creates scripted episodes weekly for its social media platforms including YouTube that has 120 million+ subscribers. The digital films, which have racked up more than 60 billion views, target a young audience and typically feature a turn of events that teaches the antagonist a moral lesson. In September, MTV president and Discovery chief digital officer Sean Atkins joined Dhar Mann Studios as its new president and COO who is scaling the media empire globally.

Before Garzilli’s role in Dhar Mann, her job was far from the glitz of Tinseltown. With a background in corporate communications and marketing, she once headed a department for a major US Trust firm, Directed IRA. “It was good work and a super team, but my heart was calling me to Hollywood,” Garzilli reflects. “My work not only equipped me with valuable skills: strategic thinking, communications acumen, and the ability to manage complex client relationships; when I left my job in Phoenix, Arizona and returned to doing psychic readings, I was able to better understand and communicate with my clients who worked in the business world”.

This new acting role is testament to Garzilli’s acting skills, which were honed years before at Howard Fine Acting Studio. “I’d always been intrigued by the idea of embodying different characters” Garzilli says. “Acting felt like another way to explore the depths of human experience.”

She believes that her work as a psychic medium has further enhanced those acting skills, particularly in areas like emotional sensitivity, intuition, and presence. “Being a medium requires a heightened awareness, and that’s incredibly valuable when it comes to embodying a role. Acting classes and improv at The Second City have taught me to trust my instincts even more—whether that’s in a psychic reading or on set,” she adds.

Garzilli’s work offers a unique perspective on decision-making and leadership. “As the world changes at an increased pace, especially with the progression of AI and other disruptions, people are seeking unconventional ways to find clarity, peace of mind, and innovate,” she explains.

Her methods, including tarot reading and rune casting, might seem unconventional in boardrooms. However, Garzilli argues that these practices open minds to new possibilities and spark creativity—essential elements in today’s competitive marketplace.

“A rune casting opens one’s mind to see from a leadership stance,” Garzilli asserts. “In today’s competitive marketplace, data to make decisions is not enough, especially when creativity is needed to make an impact in your industry.”

Her role as Bridget Bishop, the head of a prestigious law firm with a dark secret, allows Garzilli to explore the shadow side of power—a theme not unfamiliar in corporate settings. This duality in her career mirrors a larger trend she sees in society: the convergence of spiritual thought and mainstream entertainment.

“Being a psychic and actor are complementary,” Garzilli explains. “Both increase my ability to be a clear channel to share insights on what a client needs to know to improve their life and circumstances.”

News of Garzilli’s talent spread quickly, so it seems, as there is already talk of her joining the cast of a major Hollywood sequel. I ask if it’s Practical Magic 2 – a movie currently in development at Warner Bros. that will see Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprising their roles as sisters Gillian and Sally Owens – Garzilli talks about her next Hollywood goal, to collaborate with award-winning screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman who is also developing Gormenghast for Showtime. “It would be a dream come true to be in Practical Magic 2,” Garzilli says.

Garzilli is, by any objective measure, a whirlwind of creativity. Drawing on her background in business and the spiritual arts, she has recently launched a new brand ‘Tarotwood’ https://www.tarotwood.com/, that offers affordable tarot readings and rune casting. It includes a detailed audio recording and photo of either tarot cards or runes that answer specific questions about career, love, relationships and more.

“A rune casting can help you see the magic of life. How fantasy can be a pathway to realizing dreams. You have to give yourself permission to dream. Don’t deny yourself life’s signs. Give yourself permission to go for it,” she says. Unlike Garzilli’s role of Bridget Bishop who uses runes in a nefarious way.

One of her clients was a CTO who coached with Garzilli to navigate a buy-out with a large investment bank. He turned to unconventional guidance to see from an elevated point of view. Garzilli added, “I wanted to create a space where people could come for guidance but also be entertained. I channel the essence of Galadriel from Lord of The Rings. Tarot and storytelling have always been intertwined, and with Tarotwood, I’m able to bring that to life in a new way.” The platform is also a space for her to share tips on using tarot and runes for self-reflection and personal growth, encouraging a new generation to explore these ancient practices.

Garzilli’s path may not have been straightforward, but she sees each twist and turn as an essential part of her growth. She explains, “Every stage of my life has taught me something different, from the structure of corporate America to the mystical world of psychic work to the expressive art of acting,” she reflects. “And in the end, they’re all connected—because they’re all about connection itself. Connecting within, with the unseen and with others in a heartfelt way.”

Garzilli says her blend of spiritual practices and practical business experience offers a unique lens through which leaders can view their challenges.

“Creativity isn’t just for the stage and screen; it is crucial for business development and making new IP,” she says. “People who want to find a way to improve themselves are actively seeking out their negative biases and limited thinking to access new ideas and courage to go the other direction from group think. This sentiment echoes a growing trend among executives looking for innovative ways to approach problem-solving and decision-making.

As our interview draws to a natural close, I drum up the courage to ask her the burning question on every reporter’s lips for the last two decades: What really happened during the Lewinsky readings?

“What’s said in confidence, stays confidential,” she answers with a gentle but firm smile.

That’s OK, I say. I’ll find another psychic medium to get the story.

“Good luck with that,” she replies with a smirk, before closing her laptop.

Joanna Garzilli is a Los Angeles-based professional with extensive experience in spirituality, self-help, psychic mediumship, tarot reading, rune casting, acting, TV production, and entrepreneurship. She is the award-winning author of “Big Miracles: The 11 Spiritual Rules for Ultimate Success” (Harper Collins, 2017) and has published other works including “Unleash The Psychic In You” and “Scarlet’s Confession: Tales of a British Psychic.” Joanna’s acting credits include a lead role in Dhar Mann’s upcoming series “Secrets of The Shadows,” scheduled for release in October 2024.