By Christina Radish
|
|
|
Criss Angel at the AVN Awards held at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 13, 2007. |
NBC’s Phenomenon is a riveting new television series that will showcase 10 carefully selected mentalists, who will compete live against one another by demonstrating a wide spectrum of talents. Judging their efforts each week are world-renowned mystifier Criss Angel and famed mentalist Uri Geller, who also judged and monitored the Israeli version, on which this show is based. Together, Angel and Geller will assess the contestant’s talents and offer their unfiltered opinions, but the ultimate fate of the winner is in the hands of the viewers at home, who will vote to determine which competing mentalist will receive the grand prize of $250,000 and the title of the next great mentalist.
Beginning at age six, Criss Angel immersed himself in a multitude of art forms, from performance artist and musician to mystifier and provocateur. With his top-rated television series, Criss Angel Mindfreak, for which he is the creator/executive producer/director, and his many television specials, live shows and music albums, Angel has redefined what an artist and illusionist can do.
Named the 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008 Magician of the Year, the 39-year-old Long Island, New York native was also unanimously selected as the recipient of the 22nd Louis Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of Magic. Most recently, Angel partnered with Cirque du Soleil on a new collaborative live show, which will open in June 2008 at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Angel talks to MediaBlvd Magazine about this intriguing new series.
MediaBlvd Magazine> What made you want to get involved with this show?
Criss Angel> I just thought it was a great opportunity to be involved in a show that would showcase the talent and the art that I love so much, which is the art of mentalism, and to really give people a stage to showcase their talents and abilities. It’s going to be interesting because I’m sure we’re going to have people that claim they have supernatural power, and it’s going to be fun to expose them on live television. I love the art of which I’ve spent my life, dedicated to developing, evolving and growing. There’s so much that I want to learn about all the different things that I do, and I will be probably be learning until the day I die. There are so many talented people in the world that never get the opportunity, for various different reasons. A show like this will give people a legitimate opportunity to participate in it live, which is really a selling point for me because I’m going to experience it as all the home viewers are, for the very first time, when they’re performing. This show has all the ingredients for a very exciting and potentially explosive show. That’s really what did it for me. And, having the President of Programming of NBC call me two times and ask me to get involved in it, also has a significant impact.
MediaBlvd> Does it really?
Criss> Well, sure. It’s something that he’s very passionate about, and something that he believes will be able to do well. He’s somebody who has a pretty damn good track record so, I thought, “This is something I have to really look at.” And then, after looking at it, I said, “This is something I’m excited to be a part of.” This is an interesting proposition for me because it’s a show that I’m not creating, producing or directing. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know who’s performing. I don’t know what they’re going to do. It’s a show that I’m going to experience as an audience member. The only difference is that I get to make comments about it. It’s exciting to be involved in that capacity because it’s a different approach for me. This show is a completely different animal from anything I’ve ever done, or anything I’ve ever seen.
MediaBlvd> There are 10 finalists on the show, but do you know how many people were looked at, initially?
Criss> I don’t know, but I would say that there were a hell of lot more than 10. I know that they had auditions all over the place. They even had an audition in Las Vegas. Las Vegas magicians who have shows currently playing there were trying out for it. I was surprised when I heard about a few names that tried out for it.
MediaBlvd> How will the show play out every week?
Criss> It’s going to be myself and Uri, and there will be guest celebrities. The performers will come on and do a presentation for an audience, and the home viewers will vote to see who is the best, or most talented. And, the ones that they appreciated most will go on to the final round and win the grand prize. Myself and Uri will be there to comment, as people who are peers, and we’ll give our reflection on what they’ve performed. One of the things that I’ve requested is to be kept out of the loop. I want to be experiencing the performer for the first moment, just as the audience is, when they begin their performance. I want to not be tainted by knowing who is doing what, or anything like that. I’m going in there just like the audience, so you’re going to see my reaction because it’s the first time I’m seeing it. I don’t know what we’re going to have, but knowing how diligently they producers have been working, we’re going to have the whole gamut and spectrum of performers, from the very poor to the very best.
MediaBlvd> What do you think will separate Phenomenon from other reality TV shows?
Criss> I just think it’s a completely different subject matter. Many people are fascinated with the unknown, and the ability to do something that is unexplainable. This show will showcase the best and the worst, and the people that claim they have this ability because of supernatural reasons, not because it’s something that’s a trick. They might claim, “Hey, I’m a psychic. I’m talking to my uncle, who’s telling me all this information.” I think all of that stuff potentially has the ingredients for explosive television. And, I’m going to be there as the voice of the people. If anybody claims that they have this ability, outside of trickery, I will expose them. All of the ingredients are there. We’ll just have to see what’s cooked in the oven, and whether it’s going to be explosive, dynamic and crazy. It’s going to be interesting. The subject matter is fascinating. So many people go see a psychic. So many people say, “I wish I could predict the lottery numbers.” So many people want to have communication with their loved one who’s deceased. And, this show, in some form or another, will be dealing with those issues. To see how these people deal with these issues, and demonstrate them, will be wildly entertaining. That’s my hope. I don’t think there's anything on television that offers that, with this subject matter.
MediaBlvd> How much pressure from the network is being put on this show, ratings wise?
Criss> I know that it’s definitely a priority for them. They’ve gone over and above the protocol, to really put forth the dollars, time and experts to really try to produce something that will be engaging and provocative. I’m not producing the show. I’m not directing the show. And, I didn’t create the show. I’m just one piece of the puzzle that will, hopefully, make a very engaging picture. I’m just hoping that I’ll do my part to make this show engaging and exciting. But, no one can ever tell. Right now, all the elements are there for what can certainly be a very engaging show. But, at the end of the day, you never know. It’s going to be exciting because it will be on live TV.
MediaBlvd> Is this something that can go multiple seasons? How many mentalists are there out there?
Criss> I think there will be more than mentalists. I think there will be people that claim they have psychic ability, from the local shops. Every town has somebody who claims they have psychic abilities, that can read palms and talk to the dead. I think all of that is going to be part and parcel. The livelihood of the show has the potential to go on and on because there are so many people that want to believe in the supernatural, and that want to be able to talk to the dead and believe that you can bend spoons with your mind. As long as there are people that want to believe that, there’s a need and demand for a show like this. Who would ever think that Mindfreak would be coming up on its 100th episode? So, there’s an audience out there for this stuff. In some ways there’s more of an audience for the supernatural than even magic because that deals with the subject of the unknown.
MediaBlvd> This show is adapted from the Israeli show The Successor, which has been a major hit, drawing 50% shares in Israel, in the past. Have you talked with any people associated with The Successor to help you deal with this adaptation?
Criss> I did have the opportunity to meet Uri, and he was very enthusiastic and passionate about this incarnation of the show. And, I’m excited to be part of it. I’m waiting to go on the ride, just like the home audience is. We’ll see what develops. At the end of the day, I signed on because I think it’s a very intriguing concept.
MediaBlvd> Do you see your partnership with Uri on this show as representing the old and the new worlds of mentalism?
Criss> It is the spectrum of the art. And, Uri obviously had tremendous success, going back some years ago. It’s going to be interesting to see his take on things, during the show. I think you’re going to have a well-rounded group of people that represent the past and the present.
MediaBlvd> What do you think of Uri, as an artist? After all that you know and all that you’ve seen, does he have the capacity to amaze you and surprise you still?
Criss> Uri has certainly had a very interesting career. Now, we live in a completely technological day and age where the computer has so much information, readily at your fingertips. What you could do, back in the day, you can’t do today. People are very much aware, observant, smarter and able to analyze everything that you do. But, I certainly respect Uri as a magician. He’s been quite cordial, and very nice, to me. And, I respect his ability.
MediaBlvd> Do you represent yourself, strictly as an illusionist? You don’t claim to have any particular powers?
Criss> I believe when the mind, body and spirit work together, anything is possible. But, it’s not supernatural. When people claim that they have another sense, and that they can speak to the dead, they are basically just charlatans taking advantage of the vulnerable. Houdini spent half of his life proving that psychics were fake. If anything, I’m a voice for the people to expose that because I believe people, in their darkest day, when they lose a loved one or when they’re trying to find out something because they’re desperate, they can get taken advantage of, by these charlatans who are just the lowest form of scum in the world. And so, with everything that I do, I may create the illusion that I can read your mind, but it’s something that I’ve practiced for many years, honing my skills. There is nothing supernatural about the abilities that I have.
MediaBlvd> So, if someone said, “I’m going to present the illusion of reading your mind,” you’ve got nothing against that because they aren’t claiming they really have that actual ability?
Criss> Absolutely not. If somebody goes out there and says, “I can bend this spoon with kinetic energy,” and it’s completely legitimate, and it’s not tricky, or anything like that I want to see them do it because I don’t know of anybody that would sit there and bend on a spoon on some game show to try to win a prize, if they really had that ability. If somebody could predict the future, they should have done their prediction on 9/10 of 9/11. So, if I see that it’s the methods of which I employ or know about, I’m going to expose them right on live television. There will probably be a lot of fireworks going back and forth. But, I will stand up for the people, as Houdini did, to expose those who try to take advantage of the vulnerable. That’s what I do. This is my livelihood. I have a problem when people take money for a service that people believe in when, indeed, it’s fraudulent and it’s just taking advantage of them.
MediaBlvd> What’s the status of you’re A&E series? Will there be a fourth season and beyond, or are there just too many things keeping you busy now?
Criss> I certainly have a lot of different things going on. But, I’m very happy to say that I began the fourth season of Mindfreak on October 22. Simultaneously, I’ll be flying to California every Wednesday to do Phenomenon. It’s going to keep me busy. Plus, I’m in rehearsals for my live show, and I have four other TV projects and one movie to do before the end of year. I have a lot to say, as an artist, and until I have exhausted what I have to say, artistically, I want to create. My mission is to create.
MediaBlvd> When people ask you to do a demonstration for them, what is the thing that they ask you to do most? Do they all want to be levitated, or is there something else?
Criss> Levitation is definitely what I get asked to do, more than anything that I’ve ever done. And, that’s now going on about 900 demonstrations in 2 ½ years, which is quite a lot of demonstrations. But, what I’ve been graciously appreciative of is a connection that I have with the audience. There’s something about what I do that the audience connects to. Usually, when people meet me, they ask me to do something. They just want to see anything. They want to see if I can really do these things that you see me do on television, right there in person. The wonderful thing about the live show is that people can see these things live and in person, just inches away from their face -- things that they never dreamed would be possible to see live.
MediaBlvd> When you turn up on tabloid TV shows, as you have recently, is that a distraction that gets in the way of what your focus is? Is it a good thing because it spreads your name further? Or, is it something that just is?
Criss> Honestly, it’s just something that is. I don’t really analyze it. I don’t spend too much time thinking about it. I’m very grateful to the press and the public because, without the combination of it, I wouldn’t have a job, and I wouldn’t be able to create my art. So, it is part and parcel to having a TV show and being somebody who’s perceived as part of popular culture. I take it all in stride. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. Good or bad, just spell my name right and please take a good picture.
MediaBlvd> What is the difference between a mentalist, a psychic and a medium?
Criss> A mentalist takes the five senses and tries to create the illusion that there’s a sixth sense. A psychic purely, straight-out claims that they have the ability to predict the future without any prowess in the arts of magic, illusion, mentalism or psychology. And, most of them do something called cold reading, which is a technique that’s been around forever, where you’re actually the spectator and their desire to know information is actually giving them information indirectly. But, it’s packaged by the psychic in a way that appears as if they’re predicting the future, and that they know about the past and about people that may be a part of their life. Basically, that’s the difference. When I’m doing a demonstration on the streets, and I’m meeting somebody for the first time, I am a student of humanity and psychology, and I understand, just by looking at somebody and observing their mannerisms, the way they’re dressed, the way they speak, and I can read somebody. When I’m picking someone out of a crowd, I’m looking for who would be the best candidate. As a student of people, I can figure out who my best candidate is and what I can lead them to. That, coupled with the technical abilities that I have, I can create that illusion and truly get inside their mind. But, I don’t claim that my ability is something that is beyond the art of magic or mentalism. The ability to do the supernatural is different than what I believe exists.
MediaBlvd> If what you say is true about all psychics being charlatans, would that also hold for a lot of the TV psychics, like John Edwards, Lisa Williams or Allison DuBois?
Criss> Oh, of course. Sylvia Browne, too. In my opinion, all that stuff is a bunch of garbage. It’s designed to take advantage of the vulnerable and to give them a platform to generate money, based on taking advantage of people. Houdini spent half his life in court, exposing these people. Just look at the simple facts of life. Would somebody be sitting there doing their readings when they could predict where Bin Laden is? If you’re an American citizen and you knew about 9/11 on 9/10, that would be treason. James Randi has a million dollars, sitting there, held by a third party, for anybody who can do anything that can’t be explained or reproduced. Houdini offered $10,000, in his time. Why would somebody waste their time, making $40 on a palm reading, as opposed to hitting a lottery. People want to believe. Society, as a whole, wants to take the easy way out. They don’t want to go through the trials and tribulations to shape and mold tomorrow. They want to know about tomorrow without doing anything. Or, people have a travesty in their life that they’re so devastated about, that they want that connection. So, these people play on their vulnerability. It’s human nature. It’s unfortunate, but it is. As they say, there’s a sucker born every minute. Unfortunately, they’re not suckers, they’re just trusting people that want to believe their fellow man, and unfortunately, fellow man is not always the most honest.
MediaBlvd> Being able to succeed at an illusion is cooler than claiming to have supernatural powers. If you have a supernatural power that enables you to float over the Luxor, you’re just using your magical powers, but if you can make it look like you’re doing that when you don’t have magical powers, then that’s awesome.
Criss> Well, thank you. And, when I floated over the Luxor, in that light, obviously that was an illusion. If I really had the ability to float, I’d make a hell of a lot more money and be hell of a lot more famous. There are a lot of things that I do on the show that are completely real, such as lighting myself on fire, and hanging by four fish hooks through my back from a helicopter to show that the power of the mind can overcome any pain. Power is amazing, when the mind, body and spirit work together to deal with things like that. I think the reason for my success is because I’ve blurred the line between reality and illusion. But, it’s not been by claiming that I have psychic or supernatural power. I can create the illusion that I can get inside your head and tell you things, like when I was on Oprah, even though I had never met her, because I am a student of humanity, using my technical abilities to create the illusion that I can get inside your head. An illusion is what your eyes think they see. Magic is what you feel when it’s done well.
MediaBlvd> So, as someone who knows how illusions are done, are you looking for people who can fool you?
Criss> I would love to be fooled. The innocence of a child seeing something, for the first time, and being in wonder, is something I long for because I’m tainted. I’ve spent my entire life dedicated to this art of mentalism, magic and escape, and I don’t see it, feel it and experience it, like I first did when I was getting involved in it. Now, I see things differently. I try to look at it as a spectator, but unless I get amnesia, I still can’t overlook that. I can appreciate the performance. But, I would absolutely love to be fooled.
MediaBlvd> And, if you end up having to expose someone, would that make you the Simon Cowell of the show?
Criss> I don’t think of it that way. I just look at it as being true to myself and doing what I believe is right. I think the American public is very smart and will realize that I’m out to protect them. And, if somebody sits there and says, “Send me $50 and I’ll tell you what’s going to happen tomorrow,” or “I’m going to talk to your dead loved one,” I’m going to expose that. You can’t please everybody. But, I think the majority of them will realize that I’m doing it because they’re not speaking the truth.
MediaBlvd> What would it take for someone as prolific as you, and who has seen and done it all, to be shocked or surprised?
Criss> I don’t know. But, if I see it, I hope I can steal it and put it on my show. I have been around the block, and I have the best people in the world working on my show, so I can’t answer that question. If I could answer that question, then I would do it myself. With my own stuff, I think about what I would like to see happen, and what I would like to see visually created, as a fan. Doing 900 demonstrations, in a little more than two years, has given me the opportunity to think of all kinds of stuff. Now, for this next season, I’m thinking, “What can I do that I haven’t done?” I don’t know what’s out there. It’s not only about what they do physically, as far as their demonstration, but an important and an integral part is how they’re doing it and how they’re presenting it. I’ve always said that the trick doesn’t make the magician. The magician makes the trick.
MediaBlvd> Are you going to give any psychics or mediums that come on the show a chance at all?
Criss> I hope that the producers of the show will allow me my due time because I have specific things that I’m going to ask them to do, that I bet they will not agree to do. I’m a pretty calm, cool, collected person, but I’m very excited about the prospect of being able to bust somebody. Because Houdini was such an inspiration to me, I spent a lot of time, in my early years, going around, busting people. And, that was before anybody knew who the hell I was. I just found it fascinating to get my palm read. With one guy, I remember specifically saying, “When I was a kid, I noticed I had this strange ability and I never really could tell anybody because I didn’t want them to think I was different, so I was scared.” And, he said, “What are you talking about?” I said, “I have this weird thing where, when I concentrate on something, I’m able to move it.” I turned the tables on him. I had him take a dollar bill out of his pocket and roll it up, and I started moving the bill. He absolutely flipped out. I said to him, “I will explain how I do this, if you admit to me that you’re a fraud.” He didn’t, at first, but he really was completely mesmerized by what he saw. So, eventually, he said, “Yes, I do this to pay my bills, and I’m not hurting anybody.” I said, “No, you are hurting people. You’re hurting people because you’re making people believe something. You’re making people alter their lives because of what you’re saying.” I love getting involved in the unknown. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know what I’m going to see. That’s what excites me about life. I don’t know what life’s going to bring me. Life is a journey, and it’s all about how you confront different situations, good and bad, and the decisions that you make, when you confront them.
MediaBlvd> Have people tried to bust you? Do they say, “Hey, he’s not really floating”?
Criss> Of course, I’m not floating. I never claimed I was. But, when I do put those fish hooks in my back, or I light myself on fire, or the numerous other things that I do, you can think that’s not real, but it’s 100% real. That’s the fun of what I do because I blur that line. People argue amongst themselves, “That can’t be real. No, that is real.”
MediaBlvd> Is there something specific that’s increased the interest in magic, mentalism and illusions?
Criss> Without sounding at all egotistical or conceited, quite frankly, I think that Mindfreak has certainly stirred up television. Being that we’re going into the fourth season, and our 100th episode, we’ve created more illusions on A&E, on primetime television, than any magician, mentalist or escape artist, in the history of television, in the United States. That’s really a credit to the wonderful team that I have working on the show. I believe that my walking on the water has been the most watched video on YouTube. It’s had about 6 million views, which is the most watched magic clip in the history of the Internet. So, I think there is definitely a resurgence. I know other channels are trying to capitalize on it because, like with anything that does well or has longevity, everybody tries to jump on the bandwagon. But, NBC is clearly doing something that’s unique. And, based on the success of the previous version in Israel, it’s definitely exciting. Hopefully, Mindfreak had a little part of all that success.
MediaBlvd> How important is the persona of Criss Angel to that? If you had started doing what you’re doing while wearing a business suit, would it have been the same?
Criss> I don’t know. My fans, who are incredibly loyal, trust me. I have a relationship with them. And, we have that connection. So, I think maybe that meant something to NBC, along with being somebody who is doing things that have never been done before. I look at things very differently, which is another reason why they might have been interested in me. But, I can’t really speak for them. I’m all about just being myself. I was never methodical about thinking, “I’m going to wear these pants and do this to my hair.” It was a product of seeing a somewhat popular culture, and then doing the complete antithesis. All of that stuff together created this person called Criss Angel. But, it’s not something that’s crafted. It’s just me. Stuff Magazine calls me one of the most fashionable, but I think I look like a bum, quite frankly. Some other magazine or television show will say I’m the least fashionable person. So, I don’t really care what people say. I am just true to myself and, if people want to work with me, fantastic. And, if they don’t, because I don’t fit their criteria, then that’s fine as well. I’m just me, and that won’t change for anything. And, usually, whatever I do, I hate in a week from now, anyway.
MediaBlvd> Do you think you appeal to a particular age group?
Criss> I just had an episode of Mindfreak air, called “The Loyals,” which was basically a tribute to the fans -- the people that support me, each and every week, and who buy my stuff, and who come from all parts of the world to see me. Magic appeals to the child in all of us, and the way that I present my art, is in a way that people connect to it, young and old. There are kids that are six years old, and adults that are 65 years old, that come to meet me. It’s rich and poor. It’s black and white. It’s all sorts of people. That connection really blows me away. It’s hard to pinpoint a specific demographic, but I do know that I am the youngest-skewing demographic in A&E’s history, with the median age being 29, or something. Many times, Mindfreak has had the highest rated performance on cable television for the 18 to 39 age demographic.
MediaBlvd> Your fans were disappointed that they didn’t get to see your magic on the MTV Video Music Awards with Britney Spears. What happened?
Criss> I spent a lot of time with Britney to develop what that was going to be. And then, I realized that her commitment to doing that stuff was not at the level that it needed to be, so she wanted to go in a different direction. That was totally understandable. So, I bowed out of that. I just wanted the best for her.
MediaBlvd> Would you ever want to work with her again, in the future?
Criss> I leave all my options open. I pinch myself because I’ve been so blessed to have all the success that I have. I’ve gotten to meet and work with people that I had only dreamed of. So, I would never say never. You never know what will happen tomorrow. That’s what makes life exciting.
MediaBlvd> You use your abilities for entertainment, but on a personal level, do you ever find yourself using these abilities to play a trick on someone, or to get out of something simple, like jury duty, or something like that?
Criss> When I meet somebody, it’s hard for me not to, just because it’s so innate in me. When everybody does business with people, they do their best to get their point across and to get the best possible deal for them, and it’s no different for me. When I’m interacting with somebody, I’m trying to do my best to get a deal done, or to get the best deal that I can, using every tool that I have to make sure I can accomplish that. It’s hard for me not to use what I know, but I never use it to take advantage of people. If I was a thief, I could make a fortune because there’s so many different things that I know that I wouldn’t even tell anybody, at the risk of people using that for not so good purposes. I’m a pretty honest person. I try to be true to myself, so that I’m able to sleep at night. But, I certainly do interact with people in a way that is me.
MediaBlvd> What other TV projects do you have coming up?
Criss> I’m going to be doing the making of my live show, which I believe will be on A&E. It’ll be an hour show, showing the insane depth of what we have gone through, to present what we believe will be one of the most incredible live performances the world has to offer. I know that’s a very bold statement, but we believe it’s a very true statement. And, we have a movie, called Mandrake, that I’m supposed to shoot, providing there’s no strike. But, it looks like the strike will happen. There are also several other television projects, for which we are finalizing the deals.
MediaBlvd> Any hints as to what you have planned for the new season of Mindfreak?
Criss> Insanity. I’m really going back to my roots. For the people out there that think I’m real comfortable now because I have 70 episodes of Mindfreak under my belt, and I’m very complacent, everybody’s in for a surprise because I’m going to take more risks, even though I have a lot more to lose. I’m going to take more risks than I’ve ever taken before. It’s going to be more challenging than ever to be able to execute these scenes because now more people know who I am. I do things in real environments, on the streets, in front of people that I can’t control. I can’t tell people they can watch this, but not that, because we’re in public forums. I’m going to try to push my own envelope, and raise my own bar, to demonstrate incredible live demonstrations that are going to boggle people’s minds.
MediaBlvd> Will your show at the Luxor with Cirque du Soleil be branching out into a new area for them?
Criss> The show is not necessarily going to feature mentalism, but it will feature a lot of the visual illusions that I’ve done in my performances, such as me floating over the Luxor, along with some of the different things that I do, interactively, with an audience. It will be a spectacle that has never been staged anywhere in the world, throughout the course of history. This will be the first time. It will be an experience that people will never forget. And, without sounding conceited, but rather confident, we’re taking all of the necessary steps, and we pulled out all the stops, to have the greatest artists in the world working on behalf of this show, to literally create a live phenomenon.
MediaBlvd> Are you going to be able to continue doing Mindfreak, once you start your Cirque du Soleil show?
Criss> I start serious rehearsals on April 14th. And, one of my missions is to create a schedule, where I’ll be able to do my 10 shows a week, 460 performances in 46 weeks, 4,600 performances in 10 years, and still be able to do the television and movie projects that I really want to explore. For me, it’s not about the money, and it’s not about the fame. I love creating. I love to develop as an artist, and push my envelope, grow, make mistakes that I can learn from, and to try to be the very best that I can be while I’m on this Earth.
MediaBlvd> How is the show coming?
Criss> It is going to be an absolutely amazing experience that will blow your mind, excite you and make you cry. It will be a true reflection of each and every person’s life because they’ll connect to it like a song. In the same way that a song can be interpreted 50 different ways, for different people and what they’re going through in their life, this show will achieve that same thing.
MediaBlvd> Is there anything your contract keeps you from being able to do?
Criss> I had to take out an insurance policy, which was a lot money, because they’re spending a lot of money on this show. Originally, they came to me and said, “You know, Criss, you can’t do that.” And, I said, “Look, you want to do this deal with me, I’m not altering my lifestyle. I am not going to change who I am or what I am, based on anything or anybody. If you want me, then you’ll figure out how to get the proper insurance needed to do this. But, I won’t compromise who I am or what I want to do for anybody. That’s just not who I am at all.” I’m still going to ride my motorcycles. I’m still going to do what I do on the show. That’s just the way it is.
MediaBlvd> What were you like during your college days? Or, if you didn’t attend college what were you like at that age?
Criss> Unfortunately, I did not go to college. And, I don’t perceive myself to be at all book smart. I wish I did pay more attention in high school, but the only thing I could think about was my art and my craft. But, looking back, I would encourage everybody to do the best that they can possibly do in school. And then, on top of that, just really get out there and do whatever you want to do because life experience, and actually being in the real environment, doing what you want to do, is nothing you can ever learn in a classroom. The double threat is to know both. I just know the one thing. I don’t know the college stuff. But, I admire people that have the work ethic, the passion and the diligence to stay in school and get the degree that they desire.
MediaBlvd> How did the Sarantakos family feel when their little boy said that this was what he wanted to do for a living? Were they shocked?
Criss> Yeah. They encouraged me to go to college. And, I promised my family that, if I wasn’t a millionaire by the age of 18, I’d go to college. Nonetheless, I wasn’t a millionaire at 18. I had a long journey ahead of me, to achieve a lot of the dreams that I set out for. But, my family ended up being my biggest proponents. They supported me more than anybody. If it wasn’t for my incredible family, I wouldn’t be here today.
MediaBlvd> What would your advice be for those individuals that just want to pursue performing, like you did?
Criss> Don’t do it. The only thing more difficult than the entertainment business is being a politician. I would encourage people not to do it, and to get an education, because if I tell somebody not to it and it’s so innate in their soul, and they’re so passionate about wanting to do it, they’re still going to do it. I would only want those people to do it that really understand the trials and tribulations that are ahead of them because there’s no road that you can follow that is going to get you from point A to point Z. It’s a road that you have got to be strong enough to create, and you have to have the perseverance to be able to achieve what it is that you envision for yourself. If you’re going to do it, you should absolutely have something to fall back on. I’m not saying that I’m better or smarter than anybody, but it was incredibly risky to take my mom’s house and refinance it after 9/11, and put together a show that I created, directed, performed and promoted, in the city. The chances of that failing, and then being in so much debt, and potentially losing my mom’s house, is not something I would recommend to anybody. It’s a lot easier when you’re going through it yourself than when you see somebody else going through it because you don’t want them to fail, or you’ll feel responsible.
MediaBlvd> Why do you think people want to believe in phenomena?
Criss> I don’t think it’s a new thing. It’s been human nature since man was here. To know what is not known will shape one’s future. Everybody wants that power. Everybody wants to believe in luck. That’s why Las Vegas has the most beautiful, and most expansive, buildings with the most expensive chandeliers in the world. Humans have always been fascinated with being able to do the unexplainable, and everybody wants to feel special. A good percentage of people want to be the popular one. If people can feel special by claiming they have this gift, so be it.
