Las Vegas Weekly

May 11, 2009 · 7:52 AM

Criss Angel denies London reports he’s Michael Jackson’s concert magic act

By Robin Leach

Criss Angel with his unprecedented five Merlin Awards.

Photo: SFE PR

British press headlines screamed that Michael Jackson’s plans for stunning special effects for his London concerts starting in July had hit a roadblock. The King of Pop was reported to have made a deal with illusionist David Copperfield, who appears here regularly at MGM’s Hollywood Theater. However, it fell apart -- as do many things in show business -- reportedly over money.

Now the wild British tabloids are screaming that The Gloved One has ditched David and instead turned to Criss Angel, who is starring here in Cirque du Soleil’s Believe at the Luxor. It sounded as if it could be true, especially since Michael’s director and choreographer, Kenny Ortega, attended Believe less than a month ago.

I am assured, however, from all my friends at the Criss Angel camp that there is no truth to the trickster tales emanating from the British capital. Michael is in Los Angeles in early rehearsals for the 50 shows at London’s 02 Arena that run from July 8 to next February on an almost every-other-night basis.

The word from David’s camp has been nada. No comment, no confirmation, no denial -- no anything. Therefore, we’ll assume that other magicians yet to be revealed will create Michael’s magic. The only thing we know for certain is that Michael will definitely have magical effects in his stage spectacular, but for now it doesn’t appear to have a Vegas palm print on them.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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