‘Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars’ launches after stunt nearly drowns Ginuwine

This Saturday is a big night for mega-star magician Criss Angel, with the premiere of the Long Island native’s nationally broadcast magic competition featuring a bevy of celebrities.

But it comes in the shadow of a botched underwater stunt that left singer Ginuwine unconscious on the Las Vegas set of The CW Network show, “Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars.” For the dangerous trick, the “Pony” singer was squeezed into a small glass cube and submerged under water.

A video obtained by DailyMail.com shows Ginuwine — whose real name is Elgin Baylor Lumpkin — attempting to hold his breath and struggling with the confinement before bashing on the walls of the container in hopes of being rescued. After crew members rushed in to help pull Genuwine out of the little tank and up to his feet, the artist’s body went limp and he slumped to the ground.

Ginuwine, who celebrated turning 52 this week, was reportedly unconscious when paramedics carried him off the rehearsal stage, though he later successfully recorded the stunt for the show. A representative for the musician told the Los Angeles Times that Ginuwine made a full recovery.

“He was conquering a fear. Fortunately everything is okay, as he was working with Criss Angel, who’s the best in the business,” the representative said.

It’s not clear where Angel, who grew up in Elmont and East Meadow, was at the time of the rehearsal accident. In his new TV series, celebrities compete to replicate magic the famed magician’s illusions and magic tricks. Ginuwine is a contestant, along with Long Islanders Debbie Gibson, who grew up in Merrick, and Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, a native of Roosevelt.

Other stars competing on “Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars” include UFC Champion Randy Couture, former NFL tight end Vernon Davis, entertainer Donny Osmond, actor Frankie Muniz, pop singer Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski.

🐁 @LoniLove 🤣Thx @ginuwine 🤩 #CrissAngel’s #MWTS Sat 10•22 8/7c @TheCW pic.twitter.com/SpYS5qhI4C

— Criss Angel (@CrissAngel) October 8, 2022

_{Top photo: LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 2: Flavor Flav and Criss Angel at the opening night of Criss Angel Amystika at the Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 2, 2022. Credit: DeeCee Carter/MediaPunch/IPX}