Magician David Blaine To Perform Next Stunt In Arizona

ARIZONA — Magician David Blaine is taking his next stunt to the mountains of Page, Ariz., where he will float into the sky with the help of 52 helium-filled balloons Wednesday.

The stunt was due to take place over the Hudson River in New York City but high winds forced him to move it to the desert, he said. This will be Blaine's first live broadcast since 2012.

The show, titled 'Ascension,' will be broadcast live on his YouTube channel Wednesday just before 6 a.m.

"[Ascension] is beyond anything that I could’ve imagined," Blaine tweeted. "It’s also really complex so it will now take place in Arizona."

Blaine's goal is to reach 18,000 feet in the air and he will have to put on a parachute pack while mid-air or risk dying, according to Variety. Due to the danger of the endeavor, Blaine worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure his safety. Final approvals were issued Tuesday.

"The FAA worked closely with David Blaine and his team to ensure that the proposed flight meets all regulatory requirements," a spokesperson told Patch. "The FAA will closely monitor the flight and will provide air traffic services as needed."

The project is exclusive to YouTube and sponsored by Verizon in the U.S. A spokesperson for YouTube said the event will go on for multiple hours, pending weather conditions.

"David Blaine will redefine magic once again by partnering with YouTube Originals for an unprecedented live event at a time when the world could use a positive distraction," a spokesperson for YouTube told Patch.