Illusionist Criss Angel has blamed Britney Spears' lack of commitment for canceling their planned performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards.

The magician was originally responsible for co-ordinating a series of illusions for the singer's live comeback at the ceremony last year - but the troubled star rejected his plans in favour of a simple performance that was panned by fans and critics alike.

But Angel insists he isn't bitter about the missed opportunity.

He says, "With Britney I presented concepts to create, within her performance, illusions that would happen in the open. You would see Britney and then she would split into two Britneys and then four Britneys with no boxes or covers. It would just be a visual effect using no screens... I also thought of having her levitate over the audience. It was going to be really visual moments that were all... beautiful, artistic, elegant and, most important, unique - things MTV hasn't seen in music. Britney is really strong with her own ideas. And what I had planned wasn't an easy thing to do and would have required a lot of rehearsals.

"Ultimately, I told her I needed 100 per cent commitment or I wasn't going to be able to do this. I told her that, 'You have to feel comfortable.' So, we explored it and she decided it wasn't for her, and I completely understand."

-Criss Angel Pictures
-Britney Spears Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)