Brunei Magician

The infamous world acclaimed Val Valentino AKA The Masked Magician and Mister M produces, directs and stars in the worldwide TV Phenomenon “Magic Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed” TV Series. Valentino the Masked Magician entertains and enlightens fans of all ages by exposing the secrets behind magic’s most mystifying illusions.

The Masked Magician”s Blockbuster “MAGIC’S BIGGEST SECRETS FINALLY REVEALED”  remains among the highest rated specials in the history of the FOX Network, that even garnered better numbers than the World Series.

Who is the mysterious Val Valentino? 

Born Leonard R. Montano raised in  East Los Angeles, CA. He legally changed his name to Val Valentino for personal and professional reasons.

Attended James A. Garfield High School,  Roosevelt High School, East Los Angeles College and California State University.

The prestige’s premier entertainment magazine ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY wrote that The Masked Magician is “more spellbinding than David Copperfield’s, Lance Burton’s and Siegfried & Roy’s entire bag of tricks combined.”

Valentino was also honored in “Entertainment Weekly’s” prestigious “IT LIST” as one of the “Top 100” most creative entertainers in show business.

What has Valentino been doing since his first FOX TV specials? He has been in high demand worldwide, producing TV specials, “LIVE” performances, product endorsements, TV cameos, special effects consultant, and commercials such as for the “Samsung NOTE ll”. He’s received tremendous recognition throughout the Far East, United Kingdom and virtually the world. He has been awarded countless times for his contributions to the advancement of the Magical Arts including the equivalent of an Academy Award in Latin America. The Masked Magician believes that magic transcends all languages, and appeals to all ages everywhere.

Due to his tremendous Television success, CBS wasted no time in signing and Starring Valentino to a two-hour special episode of the DIAGNOSIS MURDER series starring Dick Van Dyke. The producers were quoted as saying, “The Masked Magician killed us in the last ratings sweep, so we figured we’d do what any self-respecting producers would do: bring The Masked Magician to our side, and kill him off in a two-hour special.” The NEW YORK Post’s review was glowing. “This is must see TV: videotape this one; you’ll be glad you did.”

Nash Entertainment has become so captivated with The Masked Magician that CEO Bruce Nash decided to star him as the lead character in a graphic novel to be produced by Virgin Comics.  Nash hopes ultimately to use the novel as a basis for a feature film, Television series, “live” stage production, electronic games and mainstream merchandise. Valentino is a consultant on the project, and is working closely with Bruce Nash, Robert Kosberg, head of Nash’s feature film division, Andrew Jebb and Virgin Comics.

Valentino is an amazing entertainer who says he was born with the love for Magic. At the tender age of 5, he knew that Magic was to be his destiny. He received his first magic kit as a gift from his mother at the age of 8yrs, this was a bench mark in his destiny. Self-taught and pure belief in his calling his destiny his dream’s by age 11, he was entertaining performing magic for parties and at community functions in Los Angeles California.

He continued to perfect his craft during his teen years and remained a Theater Art’s Major thought out Junior High, High school and College that set a scolded foundation for what was to come. Through his late teens early twentys he performed in the THE INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL AWARENESS PROGRAM for over a million students throughout the LA Unified School System. By his early 20’s he was touring with major stars nationwide, and was a faveriet performer at the historic Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.

In addition, he starred in legendary musician Herb Alpert’s MAGIC MAN video. It had the distinction of becoming one of the very first music videos produced at that time.

His first national TV break came with an appearance on THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW. Marv was amazed with Valentino’s performance and stated that “Valentino is a gifted magician; an astounding performer with an unbelievable performance.”  The acclaim that Val Valentino had been receiving nationwide from his appearance on Marv Griffein opened the door for a stunning career in Las Vegas were he became an instant success and earned wonderful reviews. Hollywood’s “Variety” commended on Valentino saying, “his combination of irresistible sensuality and spellbinding exoticism sets him aside.” The Las Vegas Review Journal stated, “He ranks among the top few in the city.”

Prior to the Masked Magician Valentino had headlined in some of the top Showrooms in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno NV, Biloxi Mississippi and Lake Tahoe. He has starred and headlined in numerous production’s such as SPLASH at the Riviera Hotel, headlined for six years in the world-famous “Copal Room” theater at the Sands Hotel and performed throughout Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Hilton, Caesars Palace, The Plaza, Golden Nugget, Maxim and the Flamingo. He now tours to sold out Theaters and Arenas nationally and internationally.

The Masked Magician started when the Fox TV Network approached him while he was touring, and asked him to consider becoming a magic consultant on its upcoming MAGIC SECRETS

REVEALED special. He agreed to participate if the producers would reveal only the older magical illusions. They did, and history was in the making.

Valentino knew that his life long dream as a magician was in jeopardy due to the nature of the TV show, but he felt that it was more important to have a magician working closely with the staff then not. Valentino gallantly took the opportunity for the better good of the Art of Magic, when all other magicians backed away and feared possibly tainting their careers.

Valentino says he was fortunate to work closely with Director Don Weiner to create a show that would dare to be unique, entertaining, exciting, challenging and breaking an accent Taboo.

The media and TV fans embraced The Masked Magician, and a new star was born. The Magic community’s was in an uproar  due to the fact that many magicians did not understand Valentino’s motives and his lifelong dream of promoting the love for the Art of Magic, buy inspiring  new generation of magic fans.

Valentino stands by what he has said from the beginning. He professes that the Masked Magician is necessary for this ever-changing Art. The Masked Magician’s purpose is to educate and encourage the New Generation’s of Magician’s and the generation’s to come. The Masked Magician invokes  public interest in the Art of Magic to preserve, its skills, history as a legitimate Art form. Amazingly that is exactly were the Art of Magic is headed now and this trend is growing worldwide. The Art of Magic is now being recognize as a legitimate Art form alongside Ballet, Theater and has been added as regular curriculum in some universities.

The Masked Magician will continue his tradition of awe-inspiring entertainment and one thing is for certain: this visionary magician “will not disappear” anytime soon. This ancient art form created a very special kind of magic and named him Val Valentino The Masked Magician.

CYRIL

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California and now based in Tokyo, Japan, Cyril epitomizes the 21st century entertainer - straddling both the East and the West while connecting with audiences globally. Fascinated with magic from his youth, he became a junior member at the illustrious Magic Castle in Hollywood, at the age of 15.

Considered one of the early pioneers of street magic and known for his ability to be an effective story teller, Cyril has appeared in over 16 prime time television specials in Japan and two television series reaching audiences in over 26 countries. He has traveled extensively sharing his magic and visiting various places from Brazil to India, to China and Indonesia, to Italy and Australia, among many other places.

In 2007, Cyril was recognized by his peers in the magic community at the 39th Annual Academy of Magical Arts Awards, also known as the "Academy Awards of Magic." That year, Cyril was voted "Magician of the Year", putting him in the company of past winners and icons such as David Copperfield and Seigfreid & Roy.

Later that year, Cyril embarked on a 35 city tour throughout Japan performing his live shows to sold out audiences. In November 2009, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment Networks Asia's AXN channel, Cyril starred in a 3 part English language television special titled "Cyril, Simply Magic”. It was a ratings success in the region, and won Cyril new fans throughout Southeast Asia and India. Following on the ratings success in Asia, Cyril and Fuji TV filmed his 16th Japanese primetime TV special which aired in Spring 2011.

In 2012, Cyril decided to venture out of the traditional street magic genre and star in a new TV series that featured a fun and innovative way of magic story telling. Cyril co-created and served as executive producer of the series along with Charis Entertainment. Together they partnered once again with Sony-owned AXN Asia and AXN Mystery Japan.

“Cyril’s Family Vacation” starred Cyril and his “family members” who all have magic in their DNA. Using movie-style prosthetics and showing his comedic timing and character acting, Cyril morphed into his Grandma Magi, Uncle Richard and Cousin Tiny. During the vacation in Oahu, Hawaii, Cyril and his “family” created exciting and magical moments in front of unsuspecting tourists and locals alike.

The series helped redefine how magic is presented on television.

In May 2014, Cyril will premiere his new series “Magiculous Rio”, which was filmed entirely in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A little bit funny and a little bit ridiculous, Cyril goes local and tries his best to blend into everyday situations, often looking more hilarious than serious. Viewers will once again get to see Cyril’s fresh approach to magic storytelling.

Cyril continues to create new magic and new ways of wowing his fans while pushing the boundaries of magic on television and on the live stage. Cyril is currently busy preparing his first live worldwide tour which will kick off at the end of 2014. Next season of Magiculous is already in pre-production and Cyril hopes to announce the city of his next magical TV adventure soon. Stay tuned as he could be coming to a city near year you. Keep the magic real!

For over a decade, Criss Angel has dominated the world of magic as the biggest name on the planet. His visionary approach to the art escapes the confines of tradition and has given birth to a new breed of modern mysticism. Oprah Winfrey hailed, “Criss is the best, the best, THE BEST!”

From his role as star, creator, Executive Producer and Director of his hugely successful A&E television series Criss Angel MINDFREAK, to his spectacular live show Criss Angel BeLIEve at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and star of and creator of countless television specials, books, music CD’s and more – Criss has redefined the term “artist” for the 21st century.

His acclaimed series MINDFREAK on A&E is the most successful magic show in television history, resulting in more hours of magic during prime time than any other magic show ever! It continues to be viewed regularly by more than 100 million viewers per season in over 90 countries. The broadcast of the live “Building Implosion” episode drew a crowd police estimated at 50,000 to the venue in Clearwater, Florida – the largest crowd for any magician, rivaling Houdini.

On January 29, 2013 it was announced that Criss would begin a new television series for Spike, who have ordered 11 one-hour episodes. “Spike is thrilled to be able to showcase the amazing talents of Criss Angel,” said Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, original series, Spike TV. Criss will reveal the creative process and some of his secret methods for the very first time, while showcasing revolutionary demonstrations for viewers this fall that he promises to be “bigger, badder and better than ever!”

Angel is also the most watched magician in Internet history – a YouTube sensation. His “Walk on Water” clip has generated over 46 million views alone, and all of his clips combined have generated more than 200 million views. He has recently launched live-streamed events on his Criss Angel YouTube channel, and posts exclusive content there frequently.

In 2008, Criss also partnered with Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts International to serve as writer/director, illusion designer and star of his spectacular live show Criss Angel BeLIEve. A visual feast, with over 40 of the most unique and astonishing illusions, BeLIEve is performed live eight to ten shows per week and will continue its 10 year run through 2018 exclusively at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. It has been the #1 best selling live magic show in the world since it opened, with the Toronto Star raving, “The show is easily the most exciting thing now on stage in Vegas!” The BBC proclaimed that BeLIEve is “The ONLY A+ rated magic show in Vegas and I’ve seen them all!” while Newsweek touted “Great show!” The Las Vegas Review Journal’s “Best Of Vegas” Readers Choice poll unanimously agreed, naming Criss Angel as the “Best Magician In Vegas,” and Gaming Today also hailed Criss “Entertainer Of The Year”.

In late 2012 Criss signed an exclusive, multi-million dollar worldwide distribution deal with Fun Inc./ Royal Magic Distributor. Fun Inc. (recently purchased by business entrepreneur David Michals) said, ” We could not be more excited about our partnership with Criss Angel and MagicPlace.” Fun Inc. will be releasing a minimum of one MP/Criss Angel Presents product globally each month. MagicPlace produces the best original magic for retail. A previous partnership to distribute his successful high-quality magic kits on television, on-line and in 50,000 retail stores in the U.S. resulted in sales of over $30m globally.

In 2011, Criss’ brand power continued to evolve when he was chosen to co-create and appear in a new commercial campaign for Orville Redenbacher’s Pop Up Bowl. His casting proved to be a huge coup for the brand as the spot was the number one most recalled commercials during its campaign – topping Ford®, McDonald’s® and Kraft® Macaroni & Cheese – according to Nielsen and got picked up for runs in other countries.

Angel’s book, Criss Angel MINDFREAK: Secret Revelations (Harper Collins) was a national bestseller and is now in multiple printings. Criss is also an accomplished musician, having produced and performed on five self-titled CD’s – which accompany all of his live performances and TV appearances.

Criss has received numerous awards throughout his career. He has been named Magician of the Year an unprecedented six times, including from The Magic Castle – far more than any other magician. He was the youngest magician inducted into the International Magicians Society Hall of Fame. Criss was also presented with a lifetime achievement award, The World Magic Legacy Award “A Living Legend,” at The World of Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. Additionally, Criss was recently named the first recipient of Magician of the Decade, as well as Magician of the Century and Innovator of the Decade. Criss received an International Magic Lifetime Achievement Award and was unanimously selected as the recipient of the 22nd Louie Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of Magic.

Criss is tireless in his ongoing efforts to help children through his charitable foundation; BeLIEve Anything is Possible – A JDS Foundation. He has also received the Male Wish Granter of the Year Award and the Chris Greicius Celebrity Award as a result of his work and dedication to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“David Blaine is the greatest magician who ever lived.” Howard Stern made that on-air proclamation, a sentiment echoed by Penn Jillette of Penn and Teller, who referred to Blaine’s Street Magic as “the best TV magic special ever done.” Blaine was just twenty- three when Street Magic first aired on ABC, transforming televised magic by turning the camera on the audience. Spectators at home could feel the visceral reaction of people being astonished. The New York Times went on to declare that Blaine had “taken a craft that’s been around for hundreds of years and done something unique and fresh with it,” while The New Yorker prominently stated “he saved magic.”

LIVE STUNTS

“Buried Alive,” Blaine’s first live stunt, was a feat even Houdini was unable to do in his lifetime. Entombed in an underground plastic box beneath a three ton water tank for seven days with no food and little water, Blaine would draw strength from the 75,000 visitors who came to the event beside the Hudson River, topping foot traffic at both the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty combined. Upon emerging Blaine remarked, “I saw a vision of every race, religion, and age group banding together.”