4 minute read
5 THERESA CAPUTO LIVE
LIVE ON STAGE
LONG ISLAND MEDIUM Theresa Caputo
INTERVIEW WITH VIRGINIA STILL
Theresa Caputo has been sharing her gift with audiences for more than 20 years, through both her hit TLC television show, Long Island Medium, and by touring the country for more intimate live experiences with her many, many fans, including those at three sold out Gallo Center appearances in 2018.
For those who may not know, Caputo’s gift—what she calls ‘Spirit’—is an ability she claims lets her communicate with the dearly departed.
It’s something she struggled with for a number of years, including trying to understand the reason people want to see a medium in the first place, and also why she was blessed with the gift. Caputo’s acceptance of it began with learning about the burden and guilt many feel after loved ones die.
“We are left with these should’ve, would’ve and could’ve, and the ‘if only’ thoughts,” said Caputo. “At the end of the day all these negative emotions do not give us the ability to cope. So I put my gift in God’s hands and said if this is my soul’s journey, then you open the doors and I will walk through them. And here I am over 20 years later. I chose to use my gift for healing. I do not predict the future.”
Caputo’s signature, very recognizable look—those distinctive nails and that big hair blondness—has been a part of her since she was a teen. Back then she never imagined her life would look like it does now. Growing up one of Caputo’s dreams was to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. The Long Island Medium never made it to the Cowboys because she would pursue a different calling.
“I come from a very spiritual family, a strong faith family,” said Caputo. “No one ever made a big deal about the things that I would say. It wasn’t until later in my 20s, after I had my children that I discovered not only was I connecting with my own departed loved ones but everyone else’s.”
Caputo truly began embracing her gift after 9/11, when she made the decision to be a medium for a career. An early memory she recalls occurred when Caputo, as a teen, connected with her recently deceased grandmother. She found herself standing in a room talking to the drapes. A cousin saw this and asked who she was talking to. She was talking to Nanny, says Caputo.
At around 33 years old, Caputo took spiritual awareness classes to refine how to receive messages from those who have passed and deliver them to the living. This led to private readings in her home.
Launching her show on TLC in 2011 gave Caputo a springboard to other ventures. She is a New York Times bestselling author, for example. The most recent release is her 2020 book Good Mourning, about getting through everyday losses and not just the ones that derive from death.
“I actually felt the need to write that book four years ago,” said Caputo. “[But] I was going through my separation and my divorce and it just didn’t feel like the time was right. We mourn everyday losses like a friendship ending or losing a job. I didn’t realize that I needed to mourn that. I needed to acknowledge that.” Through the pandemic Caputo feels fortunate that she did not lose anyone and that she was able to be on lockdown with her family. She has kept busy with her fan club and started a new podcast called Hey Spirit, to continue to reach people and give them hope. People call a hotline and leave a message. Then some will get a call back and could be the next guest on the podcast.
For those that have never been to one of her live shows, Caputo explained that there is nothing scripted and none of the shows are the same. People don’t know what is going to happen. Once she begins sensing the presence of departed souls, she will walk off stage to engage directly with audience members. Cameras follow her around and there are screens set up so that everyone has a good view.
“It is incredible,” said Caputo of the live shows. “To feel that energy in the room, to feel the healing, and watch people up close in an intimate setting—to watch that and to feel that it is so incredible. I just absolutely love doing live shows because I find Spirit to be a little bit more playful.”
Caputo is only able to interact with some audience members, but she believes there are messages received and shared during the experience that touch many present, not just the intended person. She noted that Spirit is the one that guides her to where she needs to be and once a person is selected she feels like she cannot move. Audience members have also disclosed to her that even though they were not given a reading, what they witnessed was life changing.
Said Caputo, “To watch the transformation of people feeling lighter and feeling that [a burden] has been lifted from their soul is the most beautiful thing I do, of what Spirit allows me to do for them.”
Virginia Still is a writer and photographer for a variety of publications including the 209 Magazine. Check out her stories on 209magazine.com or connect with her on Facebook: Virginia Still, Twitter: @StillVirginia, or ginnistill on Instagram.
THERESA CAPUTO LIVE!
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 & 3, 2021, 7 PM TICKETS: $59/89/99/109/119
PRESENTED BY:
