David Blaine re-emerges for the first time in months to attend SNL party, following #MeToo claims

Celebrity illusionist David Blaine brought an end to his several month disappearing act on Saturday night to attend the SNL after party – emerging for the first time publicly since two women accused him of sexual assault earlier this year.

The celebrity magician appeared in a somber mood before stepping inside the exclusive event in Manhattan yesterday, dressed modestly in a blue shirt, dark pants and sneakers, with a black baseball cap pulled down over his brow. 

The NYPD has been investigating Blaine since April, after two different women accused the 46-year-old of sexually assaulting them in the late 1990s – allegations Blaine fiercely denies.

Celebrity illusionist David Blaine brought an end to his several month disappearing act on Saturday night to attend the SNL after party, emerging for the first time publicly since two women accused him of sexual assault earlier this year

Saturday Night Live, a notoriously liberal comedy sketch show, has often lampooned many of the men accused in the #MeToo movement, particularly Harvey Weinstein, making Blaine’s invitation to the late-night bash all the more surprising, considering the on-going criminal probe.

The movement also took down a number of men with close relationships to the show, now in its 44th season, including the likes of Louis C.K and Al Franken.

Also attending Saturday’s post-show function was host David Harbor, his girlfriend Lily Allen, musical guest Camilla Cabello, and Woody Harrleson, who hosted the show two weeks ago and even appeared in David Blaine’s special, Real or Magic, in 2013.

Blaine, who has kept a low profile since the NYPD launched their investigation, partied long into the early hours, sources say.

‘David denies the accusations that have been reported and he takes these allegations seriously,’ a statement from Blaine’s publicist, Jill Fritzo, said in April shortly after the claims came to light. 

‘He intends to cooperate with any investigation.’ 

The NYPD has been investigating Blaine since April, after two different women accused the 46-year-old of sexually assaulting them in the late 1990s - allegations Blaine fiercely denies.

The NYPD has been investigating Blaine since April, after two different women accused the 46-year-old of sexually assaulting them in the late 1990s – allegations Blaine fiercely denies.

host David Harbor, his girlfriend Lily Allen

Camilla Cabello

Also attending Saturday’s post-show function was host David Harbor, his girlfriend Lily Allen (left), musical guest Camilla Cabello, and Woody Harrleson, who hosted the show two weeks ago and even appeared in David Blaine’s special, Real or Magic, in 2013

Around the time at least one of these newly uncovered allegations is said to have occurred, Blaine made a name for himself by performing his first public endurance feat. On April 5, 1999, he performed a stunt where he was buried in a coffin for seven days underneath a three-ton water-filled tank with only liquids to sustain himself. Blaine is pictured in the coffin

Around the time at least one of these newly uncovered allegations is said to have occurred, Blaine made a name for himself by performing his first public endurance feat. On April 5, 1999, he performed a stunt where he was buried in a coffin for seven days underneath a three-ton water-filled tank with only liquids to sustain himself. Blaine is pictured in the coffin

The first of his accusers filed a sexual assault claim in 2018, and a second woman came forward this year.

One of the women told law enforcement that in 1997, Blaine hypnotized her into performing a sex act on him at his Manhattan apartment.

The other woman says Blaine sexually assaulted her in his apartment on New Year’s Day, 1998, which may fall outside the statute of limitations, leaving it unclear how the NYPD is approaching their investigation.

A few sexual assault offenses in New York carry no time limit for criminal prosecution, like rape in the first degree, after lawmakers overturned the statute in 2006.

But acts some, like forcible touching and rape in the third degree, must be prosecuted within 2-5 years from the time of the alleged act, or from the time the alleged victim turned 18.

Among other things, the difference between rape in the first degree and rape in the third degree in the state of New York is whether the alleged perpetrator used physical force or the threat of immediate death, physical injury or kidnapping, and potentially the age of the victim.

In a statement in April, the NYPD said it ‘takes sexual assault and rape cases extremely seriously, and urges anyone who has been a victim to file a report so we can perform a comprehensive investigation, and offer support and services to survivors’.

Blaine was accused of raping former model Natasha Prince (pictured) in 2004 in London in 2016. He was questioned by detectives with Scotland Yard but not prosecuted

Blaine was accused of raping former model Natasha Prince (pictured) in 2004 in London in 2016. He was questioned by detectives with Scotland Yard but not prosecuted

The incident involving Prince allegedly occurred shortly after Blaine's suspension stunt in London, where he sealed himself inside a transparent, plexiglass case for 44 days, hanging 30 feet in the air on the bank of the River Thames. Blaine is pictured in the plexiglass case

The incident involving Prince allegedly occurred shortly after Blaine’s suspension stunt in London, where he sealed himself inside a transparent, plexiglass case for 44 days, hanging 30 feet in the air on the bank of the River Thames. Blaine is pictured in the plexiglass case

This is not the first time Blaine has been accused of sexual assault. Former model Natasha Prince alleged Blaine raped her in London in 2004, which the magician denied.

Prince alleged that Blaine drugged and anally raped her at a private home in the Chelsea area of London in the summer of that year.

Blaine was questioned in 2017 but Scotland Yard detectives later declined to take further action after investigating her claim.

Blaine is known for stunts like being buried underground for seven days without food or water in New York in 1999.

He also stayed in a plexiglass case suspended 30ft above the Thames River in London for more than 40 days in 2003.

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