Las Vegas Weekly

May 21, 2009 · 8:04 AM

Criss Angel unveils his wax figure at Madame Tussauds

By Robin Leach

Criss Angel inspects the bling on his wax figure at Madame Tussauds in The Venetian.

Photo: TVT

Updated 2:44 p.m.: Two photos from the unveiling at Madame Tussauds.

Youngsters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation that Mindfreak magician Criss Angel quietly supports year-round will be his guests this early afternoon when his wax figure is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in The Venetian. They also will be his guests tonight for his performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Believe at the Luxor.

Criss’s induction into the museum coincides with the 10th anniversary of Madame Tussauds at The Venetian. Criss, who will be taping his 100th Mindfreak episode this year for A&E, is the only five-time winner of the prestigious Merlin Magician of the Year Award, and he’s also the only person to be given the Magician of the Decade Award.

The wax figure of Criss cost $300,000 and was built at the Madame Tussauds studios in London. He sat for 300 photographs in an all-afternoon session several months ago for the artists to faithfully re-create him in wax. He joins a new all-star lineup of figures, which recently has included President Barack Obama, Snoop Dogg and even our merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman. In all, the Las Vegas outpost has more than 100 incredibly lifelike figures.

Rosita Chapman, Madame Tussauds attractions manager, commented: “Criss Angel was a must for our Las Vegas location. He has one of the most loyal groups of fans I have ever experienced and has brought illusion and showmanship to an entirely new level. His contribution to magic was instrumental in making the decision to immortalize him in wax. During the entire process of creating his Madame Tussauds wax figure from the photographic sitting to today’s unveiling, Criss was an absolute delight to work with.”

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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