Criss Angel says he is not dating Britney Spears.  The illusionist says he is helping the former singer with her comeback performance scheduled for MTV's Video Music Awards.

Angel and Spears were spotted leaving a hotel together on both Wednesday and Thursday, but Angel told PEOPLE their relationship is strictly professional.

"It's amazing what people think," Angel said Friday. "We're not together. Her manager is my manager, and I'm helping with one of her shows. I'm helping with her appearance on MTV."

While neither Britney or MTV have confirmed Spears' participation in the show, it looks as though Brit-Brit will make her comeback performance on September 9th at Palms Hotel for the VMAs.