Criss Angel wanted to create a true stage extravaganza for Britney Spears

Illusionist Criss Angel wanted to create a true stage extravaganza for Britney Spears first televised performance in years.

"We were supposed to do a creation of stuff that we worked on and it took a lot of dedication and work to do the things that we wanted to do," Criss, on the set of his new NBC series Phenomenon, recalls exclusively to OK! about Britney's planned VMA performance. "Unfortunately for me, she didn’t really want to put forth that type of effort.�

Criss, tells OK! that he just wanted what was best for Britney. "Basically I said, ‘Don’t worry about me. Do what you want to do. This is a big opportunity for you to do the VMAs, so if you don’t feel it, go with something else.’ And she chose to go with something else."

As for reports that their backstage differences had ruined their friendship, Criss tells OK!, "We’re still friends and everything’s cool.�