Criss Angel and the art of romance
October 23, 2008 | 2:44
pm
People always ask me about Criss Angel's love life. Has he really dated Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Lindsay Lohan, Pamela Anderson, Holly Madison and oh so many others? And I have no idea. I have never asked him. As most readers have noticed, I have an aversion to prying into people's private lives, even if the people headline on the Las Vegas Strip.
On the other hand, I don't fault anyone who does cover this area in a responsible way. Angel certainly does not appear to shield his private life as he keeps turning up at nightclubs with female celebrities. In fact, if Criss Angel has a type, from the available evidence, Angel seems to like his women famous. Or, does he? This is how he described the stories linking him to Pamela Anderson to Chris Lee:
"Pamela Anderson is a friend of mine. I went to her birthday party, I was there for maybe an hour. And I'm dating her now? This is what happened: I was sitting there talking to her, someone takes a picture from here and it looks like we're kissing. A good friend of mine is Tommy Lee! He has kids with her! Morally, I would never do that."
Angel really has the public job of keeping his name in the media. And he is masterful at it. I do not know much about the relationship between Tila Tequila and Criss Angel before last night at T & T: Tacos and Tequila.
Tila Tequila told me she had met Angel at least once before. But she gave no impression of knowing him well. This was when I was walked into the VIP area to interview her. Angel was sitting on one side of VIP area at that moment with his posse and Tequila and her friends were over at the other end. They did not seem at all interested in interacting with each other. In fact, Angel was getting ready to head off from VIP when someone introduced him to a woman who Angel was told was Mohammad Ali's daughter. Angel immediately riveted his attention on that woman and they engaged in intense conversation. At no time did I see him give more than a courtesy acknowledgment to Tequila.
So, this morning I got a press release from LAX nightclub (which shares a publicity firm with T&T and, of course everyone including Criss Angel share the Luxor as home). The press release notes:
"...TV vixen Tila Tequila. The sexy siren was spotted at The Strip's hottest party place with Believe star Criss Angel where the two got cozy at a table on the club's main stage. Indulging in cocktails of Belvedere Vodka and Redbull as well as Angel's usual Montecristo Rum and Coke, the duo nestled together for photos as they took in the exhilarating scenes of the two-story hot spot."
On the other hand, I don't fault anyone who does cover this area in a responsible way. Angel certainly does not appear to shield his private life as he keeps turning up at nightclubs with female celebrities. In fact, if Criss Angel has a type, from the available evidence, Angel seems to like his women famous. Or, does he? This is how he described the stories linking him to Pamela Anderson to Chris Lee:
"Pamela Anderson is a friend of mine. I went to her birthday party, I was there for maybe an hour. And I'm dating her now? This is what happened: I was sitting there talking to her, someone takes a picture from here and it looks like we're kissing. A good friend of mine is Tommy Lee! He has kids with her! Morally, I would never do that."
Angel really has the public job of keeping his name in the media. And he is masterful at it. I do not know much about the relationship between Tila Tequila and Criss Angel before last night at T & T: Tacos and Tequila.
Tila Tequila told me she had met Angel at least once before. But she gave no impression of knowing him well. This was when I was walked into the VIP area to interview her. Angel was sitting on one side of VIP area at that moment with his posse and Tequila and her friends were over at the other end. They did not seem at all interested in interacting with each other. In fact, Angel was getting ready to head off from VIP when someone introduced him to a woman who Angel was told was Mohammad Ali's daughter. Angel immediately riveted his attention on that woman and they engaged in intense conversation. At no time did I see him give more than a courtesy acknowledgment to Tequila.
So, this morning I got a press release from LAX nightclub (which shares a publicity firm with T&T and, of course everyone including Criss Angel share the Luxor as home). The press release notes:
"...TV vixen Tila Tequila. The sexy siren was spotted at The Strip's hottest party place with Believe star Criss Angel where the two got cozy at a table on the club's main stage. Indulging in cocktails of Belvedere Vodka and Redbull as well as Angel's usual Montecristo Rum and Coke, the duo nestled together for photos as they took in the exhilarating scenes of the two-story hot spot."
One of the partners in Montecristo Rum is also a partner in T &T. His brother is a partner in LAX. The press release also included this photo of the happy couple. Now my question is, do you think Criss Angel is truly irresistible man meat to anyone TMZ would cover? Did romance bloom between Taos & Tequila and LAX between Angel and Tequila? Possible. Or do you think the photos and press releases the next morning, which constitute many of his romances, could in fact be manufactured for publicity purposes more than tracking for the media world Angel's dating? Is there romance here that goes beyond the public relations meaning of the word?
This is how magicians work sometimes: They distract you with what you do see from what you don' t see. Angel might be far more private in romance than anyone suspects. All he would need to do is take his date off the Strip.
So, what do I think? I don't like to write about people's private lives. And with Criss Angel I never feel like I do.
(courtesy photo)
I heard her tell a reporter that she's back together with Courtenay Semel.
Posted by: Sarah | October 23, 2008 at 03:20 PM
That is a cute picture of Criss and Tila. I think that you have a point -- I think that the majority of pictures of Criss with female celebrities are nothing more than two people taking pictures together. The press loves to overanalyze any celebrities who pose "together" and make it into a sensational romantic tryst when it couldn't be further from the truth. I am sure Criss is friends with many of the female celebrities he is photographed with, but that is as far as it gets.
--Jessica
Posted by: Jessica | October 23, 2008 at 05:13 PM
He is a publicity hound. He is a poseur too. Only for the p.r. in hopes of getting his face in the likes of Star, People, magazines, etc.
When the plain women, attractive or not, come around, he seems uninterested.
Posted by: Yen woo ping | October 23, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Why do so many people like to analize exactly what Criss'relationship is to every woman he takes an interest in to talk to or meet and say hi or take pictures with?He's a celebrity surrounded by other celebrities all the time,it's Vegas for pete's sake.Why wouldn't he want to meet others that he's seen on tv or musicians he listens too or people he heard of and vice versa?Most celebrities meet and greet and date like everybody else does and of course do the"PR"thing.What's so appalling about a single man dating?That's the only way to get to know someone and sometimes it takes awhile to see you don't want to do that w/that one anymore or on the 1st date,so you move on.Some people like to be single(like myself,a 53yr.old grandma).I think some people,like COLIN,for instance,have too much time on their hands!
Posted by: bettylouh | October 23, 2008 at 11:33 PM
I agree with Jessica.
Posted by: Brookie | October 24, 2008 at 12:04 AM
First here is where rumours start...I am inside the Angel camp and he is very private! The woman he is persun in extra private I say persue because she has been bothered by some of the female ladies he has been linked 2 as of late. Not all what You read or see is real sometimes it is an ILLUSION......Illusion...please she is a money grubber Criss isnt as dumb as people think!
Posted by: Insidetheinside | October 24, 2008 at 03:55 PM
First this is how rumors start...from being inside camp angel I can tell U he is very private. and the woman he is dating..it aint Holly is extra private and is not into the limelight the constant rumours frm being photographd and now wr dating is taking a toll on thr relationship and it is causing a strain...just rmbr sometimes what U see is an ILLUSION...and Criss isnt as Dumb as ppl think...that is No ILLUSION..Holly and Criss fake ..haha
Posted by: Insidetheinside | October 24, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Richard, do you ever get the urge to just bang your head against a wall? I'm sure I would be doing just that were I in your position. You write an exceptionally clear piece about how stories of celebrities' personal lives and their being romanitcally linked are often garbage, and give a detailed illustration about how yet another such story is fabricated to support a liquor marketing campaign. Then the feedback you get is mostly from fangirls who miss the point of the story completely and write as if they were texting a friend.
I've been reading your blog for quite a while now and I appreciate your detached approach to the city. I try to get to LV a few times a year, though I have no interest whatsoever in clubs, lounges, ultra-lounges or anything celebrity-driven. I'm almost sorry you end up having to waste your time covering news-less stories like this when there is so much more in the city you could be covering.
So that's all, just wanted to let you know someone is reading and appreciating your effort, not just posting nonsensical illiterate kneejerk reactions.
Thanks,
elf
Posted by: Elf | October 24, 2008 at 10:13 PM
What is this reporter trying to imply? That Criss girlfriends are nothing more than illusions?
So Criss really is gay?
Posted by: Julie | October 25, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Too many people are passionate over this guy, for or against... I mean, _seriously_.
Posted by: Bobak | October 25, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Does make you wonder Bobak. So much passion, both for and against.
Posted by: Debbie | October 26, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Criss Angel IS gay.
Criss Angel deliberately tries to fool the readers by displaying himself with all these famous women. Don't be angry at the reporters for doing their job. Criss Angel sends out the message. The reporters report it.
Posted by: *** Criss Rocks Vegas Strip *** | October 27, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Is Criss really gay or is that just a rumor flying around the strip?
I have heard that Criss has managed to finagle some young male meat to his suite .
I just thought that was a vicious lie. Now I'm not too sure if it was a lie at all
Posted by: *** Criss Rocks Vegas Strip *** | October 27, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Yes.criss is gay and very miserable about it.would do anything to change and anything to hide it from public. very depressed guy who is into bondage and drugs and is spinning out of control long before this show.family very worried about him and had hoped this show would rein him in and give him structure he needs..its not now a wait and see about this show,but rather a wait and see about criss personally...way out of control!
Posted by: ted | October 27, 2008 at 01:29 PM
I have been friends with Criss since we were teenagers and i can 100% assure you he is not gay..
Posted by: mike | October 28, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Thanks for reading everyone. My attempt in this item was to illustrate how the public relations and marketing aspect of Angel are more visible to the public than the realities of his private life. I also wanted to shed some light on how that process works. My point was that as a result, it is impossible to tell who Angel is dating compared to who he is being linked with for promotional purposes. I think anyone who read this item and thinks there is a subtext about Angel's sexuality is reading into my writing something that I did not intend to suggest or imply. Yrs., Richard
Posted by: Richard Abowitz | October 28, 2008 at 09:03 AM
I personally do not think he is gay. He is still married, although separated from his wife. However, I agree with the above poster that he is definitely trying to get his face in the tabloids and at any cost.
Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, etc.
I don't see him as being gay, but if he were, it would really be no one's business but his.
Posted by: Achilles | October 28, 2008 at 04:21 PM
lololol. Oh Richard. What have you done now? lolol.
Posted by: Debbie | October 28, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Great artilce Richard. In light of this article it shares some new light on all this talk of yet another celebrity hookup Mr. Angel has been rumored to be involved in, Ms. Playboy Playmate Holly Madison. The more I read about this new rumored hookup the more I tend to believe it is manufactured for publicity purposes.
Posted by: Mary Anne | October 29, 2008 at 12:15 PM
No all rumors are manufactured relationships. There is a very intimate picture of both Holly Madison and Criss Angel on Perez Hilton site that would definately challenge that statement.
In fact, I would say that Holly maybe more real than anything out Criss Angel has put out to the press.
Posted by: Guest | October 30, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Some people are implying that Criss Angel is simply using Playboy Playmate Holly Madison as a way to gain global attention (PR) which will shift the focus away from all the numerous negative reviews the BELIEVE show has and continues to receive by guests.
I do not believe this to be the case. Criss Angel was well known for casually dating Holly a couple months prior to the September 26 preview performance.
Some people are implying that both Criss Angel and Playboy Playmate Holly Madison deliberately reenacted a stunt (Public Display Affection) at a local Vegas nightclub last week to replica what the media suggested her did back in July at LAX with famous actress Pamela Anderson simply to mock the media's stupidity and use it to gain immediate global attention.
I do not believe this to be the case as well. Again, those two have been affection for several months.
Why do so many automatically assume when two well-known high profiled individuals are spotted together it is automatically "PR". It is clearly obvious Mr. Angel and Ms. Madison are deeply attracted to each other and are now the Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson of Vegas.
Posted by: L. Caravello | November 05, 2008 at 11:53 AM
i heard criss angel doesnt commit or has a hard time committing i work for a local paper and when i read these magazines i loook at him and holly CRISS ALWAYS LOOOKS USED AND SAD ALL THE TIME
PLUS I personally think that holly iis using him for publicity
she is such a publicity nobody low life huzz
shame on her totall blasphemy and hef is a giggalo
plus criss angels relationships have never lasted since his divorce u should seee all the girls he did on whos dated who
Posted by: insider | November 06, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I have noticed that Holly is very much in to him - and said that she "LOVED HIM" - to his face when a reporter asked them. He sure didn't say that. He says things like he is a "lucky man". that they are "friends" - "friends with benefits". They are "just having fun". etc., but never anything like he loves her. I noticed he looked rather funny when she said that. (like men do - when they are the no committing type). He also has said she is thinking about moving there, etc., etc. I think she is going to get hurt - just like she did with Hef. I don't think he will committ like seems to want to.......IMHO.....
Posted by: Paige | November 11, 2008 at 08:25 AM
hey criss u rock dude!!!!!
Posted by: koolchik | December 16, 2008 at 12:27 PM