Criss Angel discusses latest show
You may have seen him underwater in shackles. You may have seen him suspended in the air in a straitjacket. You may have even seen him on reality TV. But famed illusionist Criss Angel promises you’ve never seen him quite like you’ll see him in his new sta
Q What makes Criss Angel Raw different from your other Mindfreak shows?
A I’m very excited to come to Canada. I have a big fan base there, and I’ve never actually performed in Canada before.
It’s going to be a very interesting theatrical experience ... It’s performing stripped-down, in the sense that I’m not going to have enormous illusions. It’s much more of an intimate experience.
It will feature my three different personalities: Xristos, who starts the show off and is a bit scary; then the evolution of Criss Angel; and at the end, just Christopher. It’s a show that takes people on an emotional journey. They’ll see me in a completely different way.
Q I saw a promo video for Criss Angel Raw on your Instagram that showed you with what looked like live worms or maggots in your mouth and nose. What’s that feel like?
A It’s not pleasant, that’s for sure. Everything you see there is real. I also had a tarantula walking across my face, a live scorpion coming out of my mouth. I was in a bathtub with 300 pounds of snakes.
It was pretty intense, to say the least. And I was very, very itchy, once I was done with the tarantula. My face, my neck — it left its little hairs on me. I took two showers and I still was itching.
Q Inside Edition had a segment last April about a 10-year-old girl in Los Angeles who swallowed a quarter while trying to imitate a trick of yours. How much do you consider kids imitating you and possibly endangering themselves?
A I actually had that little girl come to my show as a guest. I brought her onstage and we talked afterwards. I had the pleasure of spending some time with her and her family — because I was so concerned about that.
I try to make it very clear. On all my television shows, there’s a very big warning at the beginning, telling people: Do not try any of this. It can kill you.
But you can only do so much. You can’t go to every child — or every adult — who tries to do what I do and tell them not to do it.
Q Is it true that you ended up in a hospital earlier this year because you messed up a straitjacket escape trick?
A That is true. I was doing a trick
for the first time — actually two jackets, a transport jacket and a straitjacket that was made by the Posey company, which supplies all the medical institutions. And while I was doing my escape, I had 50 pounds of weight on a rope that was tied in a noose around my neck. I had to get out before I went unconscious.
I got out, but I paid the price. I ripped my bicep off my shoulder, I had two complete tears in my rotator cuff, and I had about a four-hour surgery ... I had nine months of rehabilitation and physiotherapy. It was a nightmare. If it wasn’t for my doctor, I wouldn’t be able to lift my arm over my shoulder right now.
Q I’ve read that you do 400 shows a year and only sleep five hours a day, typically in the morning. How’s that possible while maintaining your health?
A Right now, I’m actually sleeping maybe three or four hours. I’ve been doing it for so many years, I’m just kind of used to it. I take at least one cat nap before I do my show. When I’m getting my makeup done, I’ll close my eyes for 15 or 20 minutes.
Q You’ve been a professional performer since you graduated high school 30 years ago. Have you given any thought to retirement?
A Aw, naw. I’m still young. To me, age is a number. I’m able to do things now creatively, physically — I’m stronger than ever. I workout every day, I train in the morning, I’m in the best shape of my life. And I just think that, artistically, my knowledge has never been greater. There are so many things I’m working on, so many new projects.