Las Vegas Weekly

May 18, 2010 · 2:03 PM

Criss Angel is recognized with two prestigious awards

By Robin Leach

Criss Angel and his team.

Photo: Richard Brian

For the third time in less than two weeks, Mindfreak magician Criss Angel is being honored with prestigious awards, adding to his already impressive collection. Tomorrow night, Criss will be recognized again by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for his incredible work with and gifts to children -- quietly unheralded behind the scenes.

This past weekend, he was honored with Innovention's Innovator of the Decade Award after a performance of his Cirque du Soleil show Believe at the Luxor. Innovention founder Paul Stone said while making the presentation: “The most elite magic organization in the world honors Mr. Angel, who epitomizes both innovation and success. For more than 100 million people all over the world, Criss Angel has changed the way magic and its allied arts are viewed and perceived.

“The award is given for advancing the art of magic to new heights with his continual innovation and performance excellence.”

Diana Zimmerman, Innovention conferences creative adviser, added: “Criss Angel is the No. 1 guy in the world and way ahead of his time. His shows Mindfreak and Believe are by far the most exciting and amazing magic shows in the world!”

Criss is the only six-time recipient of Magician of the Year and recently was named Magician of the Century -- we posted the latter news right here at Vegas DeLuxe on April 28. Before the century award, the International Magicians Society named him Magician of the Decade. The U.S. and international organizations that have recognized him include IMS (International Magicians Society), AMG (Academy of Magicians Greece), AMA (Academy of Magical Arts) (Magic Castle) and DCMA (De Cometa Magico Association).

Criss, who is now completing the filming of Season 6 of Mindfreak for A&E, was recognized for starring in and producing more hours of magic on primetime television than any other magician in the history of television. Additionally, he is the most-watched magician in the history of the Internet, and Believe is the top-selling magic production in the world.

The Make-A-Wish tribute tomorrow at Bali Hai Golf Center on the Strip follows the organization’s Chris Greicius Award to Criss in 2007 for being the TV celebrity who has done the most for children. We’ll be there to join in the salute to Criss, and we’ll have photos and an interview here at Vegas DeLuxe on Thursday. Cameras for the upcoming A&E Biography about Criss will be filming for the show, which will air shortly before this summer’s Mindfreak premiere.

Rap and reality TV star Flavor Flav attended Believe over the weekend. Flav was with a group of friends, and they enjoyed shots of Hennessy cognac and hot dogs before the show. When Criss introduced Flav from the stage, the rapper received thunderous applause and stood up to say hello to Criss and all the fans during the show.

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Share This