Thomas John Flanagan is an American celebrity medium best known for his television shows Seatbelt Psychic and The Thomas John Experience, both of which aired on CBS All Access. He has also performed a live show at the legendary Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, been the inspiration for an off-Broadway musical (Dead Serious), and published a book, Never Argue with a Dead Person. He has appeared on news and magazine programmes across America, had a cameo in The Real Housewives of New York City, and been featured in publications such as GQ and Maxim. Despite some controversies along the way, his reputation has grown to the extent that private clients apparently have to book a year in advance for a personal reading.
Flanagan was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He had his first psychic experience when he was just four years old — he began seeing his dead grandfather in various places and at family events. He became a professional medium in his mid-20s, working in both New York and Los Angeles. By the early 2010s, his career was gaining traction and he was being invited to appear on television more and more. In 2015, he published his first book, and in 2018, he was awarded his first television series, Seatbelt Psychic, whose success was followed by The Thomas John Experience in 2020.
As well as being a medium, Flanagan also has another, perhaps unlikely, career as a drag queen. As Lady Vera Parker, he has peformed across Chicago and is an official promoter for the annual Miss Gay New York America Pageant.
