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“So…what do you think about Criss Angel?”

It’s funny to me, because I know that people are really asking me: “Is he of the devil?” So instead of replying right away, I usually just ask, “What do you mean, what do I think? What about him?”  Then usually comes the admission that they believe he’s possessed, or demonic, or in cahoots with Satan.  

First of all, No! I mean, c’mon…would that give him the ability to walk through glass windows and make coins go through soda cans? Do demons like to be on TV, and therefore always manifest their presence at the perfect time when the camera guy rolls tape? And better yet, even if he were in link with demons, would that really give him the ability to levitate? Sorry, but not a chance. That may not make sense to you with a limited perspective on how magic tricks work, but trust me, Criss Angel is not “real.”

Well, he’s a real person of course, which explains most of how I feel about him. What do I think about Criss Angel? Well, since everyone has been asking…

I think that like all of us, he desperately wants to be valued. It’s common opinion that when watching his show, “Mindfreak,” it’s clearly translated on camera that he most definitely likes himself.  Some people will do anything for the power of celebrity.  And let’s face it: If your team is creating forum topics and surveys on your website titled, “How obsessed with Criss are you?”, or “Would you die for Criss?,” or even “What would you do if Criss Angel kissed you?”, it’s not only creepy, but screams, “Hey, I like myself. A lot.”

I respect Criss Angel for his desire to be a great performing artist, and believe that he really does want to perform art with excellence. And he has an incredible team around him. It’s the best creative team that money can buy, and they create some brilliant illusions for him and his show. But at the end of the day, unlike David Blaine, his over-confidence will get in the way of his longevity.  Ed McMahon said not long before he died, “The greatest asset missing in the lives of today’s celebrities, entertainers, and performers is class.” Class is often identified in those with professionalism, and humility. And as Malcolm Gladwell said during his speech at Catalyst this past year, “Incompetence annoys me. Over-confidence scares me.”

I have learned by watching Criss’ career. Mainly that just because you think you’re ready for something, it doesn’t mean you actually are. Criss got a deal with Cirque du Soleil, but he wasn’t ready for it, and as a result, his show got ripped to shreads by critics and audiences alike. (It might have had a little to do with his love of performing shows with no shirt on.)

Sometimes I envy the opportunities offered to others, but the reality is, I have a lot of work to do and I’m just not ready for them all.

So is Criss a little arrogant? Likely. I can’t say for sure because I don’t know the guy, and frankly, it’s probably not my place to judge. But if he isn’t, it sure is the image they’re painting on TV. And if that’s not what they’re going for, a few less publicity photos without a shirt on might help a little in pursuing a different image.

It’s amazing the things we do as human beings for attention, all because of either pride or insecurity, when at the end of the day we just want to be accepted.  Thank goodness there’s a God who is willing to accept us just as we are, and that his love was unconditional…even for Criss Angel and guys like me.

Is Criss the devil? No. Does he try to blur the line between illusion and reality? Absolutely. Should you let your kids watch him?  That’s up to you, but if you do, at least have a conversation about how he isn’t the devil. Or a god.

Obviously, I’d rather you just bring them to our show instead. I keep my shirt on the whole time, and we also get positive reviews.

What do you think about Criss Angel?