Las Vegas-based magician Criss Angel, whose mama knows him as Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos, had to abruptly end his show Mindfreak Live! on Friday night after losing consciousness during a straitjacket escape trick. The 49-year-old performer passed out while suspended upside down during an escape stunt and was rushed from the Luxor to Sin City’s Spring Valley Hospital. Criss was treated and discharged from the ER after a few hours. Some audience members expressed shock and concern on social media over the failed stunt.
Bizarre…20 min into Criss Angel's performance they did a force cancellation due to some malfunction?! Hope everything is okay #CrissAngel
— Ariel Jordan (@airjordan7) March 11, 2017
But, it seems more were concerned about getting a refund for their tickets.
Update: They are giving full refunds. Criss Angel lost consciousness in mid-air.
— Ryan Perez (@RyanPerez___) March 11, 2017
Criss’ people released the following statement regarding the incident via his Twitter which said, in part:
Criss Angel routinely performs some of the world’s most dangerous illusions and escapes live on stage,” Angel’s rep said. “During Friday evening’s performance, while attempting his famed upside down straitjacket escape while suspended by his feet, he lost consciousness. He was lowered to the stage and rushed to the hospital where he was evaluated and released early this morning. He is undergoing additional testing today and while it is not yet certain, it is his hope to return to the stage in his hit show MINDFREAK® LIVE! at Luxor Las Vegas tonight. He is grateful for the outpouring of love and concern from his fans around the world.
STATEMENT REGARDING MARCH 10, 2017 INCIDENT AT MINDFREAK® LIVE pic.twitter.com/n2JydoVJil
— Criss Angel (@CrissAngel) March 12, 2017
Criss’ people also said that he would undergo additional tests on Saturday and, apparently, he got the a-okay to return to stage. That evening, in front of a sold out crowd, he not only completed his show, but also successfully did the exact same trick without incident. Good Morning America aired footage of the performance on its Sunday morning episode.
I’m not a fan of Criss, he always seemed like the living embodiment of an Affliction t-shirt, but I’m glad he didn’t pass away. Besides, he does seem to be a charitable guy, so there’s that. Me, I’m more of a Cirque du Soleil kind of gal. I do admire his drive, but at 49 (full confession: I had no idea he was older than me), how much longer do you think he’ll be able to do these stunts? And, if nothing else, I get to post a picture of Criss with Carrot Top. So, there you go. Feel better, Criss.
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com, Fame Flynet
I don’t know exactly what it is but something about him is attractive to me, he looks so much better in a suit and with the short hair.
Eeeeh me too and I hate myself for it. Mystique I guess
uhhh….maybe cuz he actually IS good looking? (Like conventionally speaking). lips, jaw shape, lashes, chin dimple, dark etc. Its all there
But I’m glad he didn’t pass away? I fricken hope so.
The nickleback -sorry! criss angel- picture with carrot top is so good!!! He’s aging well and seems pretty talented, but looking at him all I can think about is a dude in a ed hardy tshirt whispering “its dakker noir”.
Eh, I’ve always thought he was a douche. Glad he’s okay, though.
He’s a cheesy AF douche but am glad to hear he’s ok – I know that there has been some health issues with his young son. Hope the little guy is ok too.
He looks way better than his earlier years, but “living embodiment of an Affliction t-shirt” is spot on. That’s like the Miami norm.
Hm.
I guess I’ve never realized how much he looks like Oscar Isaac.
It’s uncanny.
I didn’t realize he was so old because his current girlfriend, Belinda is a huge Mexican pop singer and she is 27. I never liked him, there’s something sleazy about him.